SteamHead

Shenzhen, ChinaWebsiteSteamHead makerspace

SteamHead is a non-profit organization focused on enhancing the role of design in education.^[1] Inspired by the Maker movement and S.T.E.A.M. education, SteamHead initiatives aim to empower communities to engage in "Creating". The organization's activities receive support from sponsors such as the British Council,^[2] local charities, and schools. SteamHead also sponsors local events including MakeFashion Edu^[3] and School Maker Faires.

Founded in 2014 as "The MakeClub"^[4] within an apartment, the organization now operates from offices in the United States and a makerspace in Shenzhen, China. SteamHead is now situated in a public space and facilitates meetings for the Shenzhen Maker Ed community.

Description

SteamHead offers free space for the education community^[5] to exchange information, collaborate, and share. Cross-sections of teachers, students, parents, and educational industry professionals meet hackers, artists, DIY enthusiasts, and educational innovators.^[6]

The main area of Steam Head's facility features communal work tables suitable for accommodating approximately twelve individuals, making it ideal for group activities. Towards the rear section of the premises, visitors can find various specialized rooms, including a 3D printing area, a media recording studio, a tinkering kitchen, storage facilities, an outdoor balcony, and accommodation quarters for residents.^{[citation needed]}

Equipped with an array of tools and resources typically found in primary school classrooms, Steam Head's facility offers craft supplies such as scissors, saws, screwdrivers, and measuring tapes, as well as an electronics workbench, a screen-printing setup, power saws, drills, cutters, projectors, and printers. Members also have access to additional equipment, such as 3D printers and a large-scale drawing machine.^{[citation needed]}

The core team, composed of volunteers, convenes monthly to address various space-related matters, including renovation initiatives and equipment procurement. Additionally, the facility hosts several special interest groups that convene more frequently and often spontaneously. SteamHead operates daily, typically providing 24-hour access to its premises. Regular members may undergo biometric authentication to gain access to the facility.^{[citation needed]}

Located on the second floor of a Shenzhen building constructed in the early 2000's, the space was originally designated for commercial purposes but has since been repurposed, with several areas converted into loft apartments.^{[citation needed]}

History

Steam Head makerspace's founding members Benjamin James Simpson, Carrie Leung, Luke Henderson, and Emma Cheung have established the space as a makerspace for educational research and development. As one of the first maker education spaces in Shenzhen, China, SteamHead found its roots in 2011, organizing free language lessons for manufacturing workers in China's Fujian and Guangdong provinces.^{[citation needed]}

In 2014, the organization began offering science and technology lessons to migrant children in Shenzhen. In 2015, they partnered with Litchee Lab to create educational programs and workshops. By 2017, SteamHead had relocated and established a makerspace in Shenzhen, China.^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

• SteamHead website