How do you play that makerspace game? An ethnographic exploration of the habitus of engineering makerspaces

Abstract

Drawing upon Bourdieu’s conceptualization of habitus, this ethnographic study explores the cultural bases guiding engineering makerspaces at a public university in the United States. Students carry forms of capital that impact their entry into these learning spaces, over time becoming disciplined in the “game” of makerspaces as they accumulate capital through everyday talk and storytelling. Communication constructs the makerspace habitus as students (1) move from outsider to insider as they acquire forms of capital; (2) negotiate a habitus characterized by tensions of access vs. exclusivity; (3) learn to use the vocabularies of innovation and creativity; and (4) cultivate supportive making communities. Findings point to the critical role of intentional communication and space design in cultivating inclusive makerspace cultures.

The Power of Makerspaces: Heterotopia and Innovation

“…The design of the office focuses on creating leisure and comfortable spaces with bright windows, well-designed furniture, and beautiful visual elements. Some of the new established makerspaces borrow the design ideas of modern offices, creating communication norms guided by the type and layout of the furniture [11]. However, no matter how good the spaces look, the key elements of makerspaces are still tools and machines [12,13], some of which are large and expensive, that individuals struggle to afford [14].…”

Structure versus Curiosity: Developing a model for understanding undergraduate students’ childhood pathways into engineering

“…For example, one interviewee stated, "I like making functional things and I had this fascination with duct tape because it was sticky and stuck places…I used to carry [duct tape] in my backpack and people paid me for wallets." Here we note this continuation of creative engagement through hands-on activities and making; through these examples is a notable transition from creative play to physical building and making, which are often associated with engineering [58].…”