Gift to TechHub Unleashes Caltech Students' Inner Makers

A space for students to tinker, experiment, and create gets a boost in funding from an anonymous donor.

A generous gift from an anonymous donor will help maintain a laboratory where Caltech students can pursue creative play and any idea that sparks their curiosity. With the infusion of $20,000 in new funds, the Caltech Library can cover the costs of repairing and replacing equipment in the makerspace known as TechHub.

TechHub bridges the gap between the technology most college students own, such as laptops and tablets, and the advanced tools generally available only in research labs. The collaborative workshop offers about a dozen 3-D and resin printers, a large-format printer for posters and maps, and crafting machines for sewing, electronic cutting, and button-making. Additional resources include a repair workstation where users can fix their electronic devices and an area for trying out a virtual reality headset. There is an exhibition space as well, featuring displays curated by the Caltech Archives and Special Collections.

The space is open to any member of the Caltech community who attends a half-hour orientation. And, except for large-format printing, it is entirely free to use.

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