The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) is adding three new makerspaces in Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, as well as enhancing the existing Mechanical Engineering machine shop. The spaces will be accessible to all engineering departments and allow students to collaborate with other departments on a wide array of interdisciplinary engineering projects.

“At BCOE, our students have a track record of developing engineering solutions outside of the classroom,” said Dean Christopher S. Lynch. “These spaces will provide immediate support to bring out students’ creativity and help turn their innovate concepts into reality.”

The college is launching the #MakeRspaceMillion campaign to build the three unique spaces. Once the rooms are finished, the college’s makeRspace footprint will nearly double, exposing students to the latest technologies and immersing them in high-tech environments that encourage inspiration and entrepreneurship. 

“Having these new spaces is a game-changer,” said Queenie Xu, a third-year student in bioengineering. “Makerspaces amplify what we learn in the classroom and develop a mindset focused on what’s next.”

BCOE aims to raise one million dollars to outfit the new makeRspace facilities, have staff accessible to train students on the latest technology, and have the resources and supplies readily available for students. 

Thanks to generous donations from UCR Foundation Trustee Nora Hackett and parents of BCOE students, new gifts between $100 and $25,000 (up to $260,000 total) will be matched towards #MakeRspaceMillion. All contributions for the project will go to the BCOE Dean’s Innovation Fund. All those who donate $100 or more will be recognized by name on a permanent display for the new makeRspaces. In honor of the Class of 2022, any current BCOE student who gives $22 or more by June 30, 2022 will also be recognized.

To give towards the #MakeRspaceMillion to support our students’ bright ideas, visit https://crowdfunding.ucr.edu/o/university-of-california-riverside/i/ucrcrowdfunding/s/makerspacemillion.

Help us inspire tomorrow’s innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs!