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BIDDEFORD, Maine

SWAGƵ’s Makerspace featured on WCSH’s “207”

Matt Scheuer explains his project to SWAGƵ President Danielle Ripich during her recent visit to the Makerspace.
Matt Scheuer explains his project to SWAGƵ President Danielle Ripich during her recent visit to the Makerspace. Scheuer was one of the students whose creations were highlighted on a recent episode of WCSH's "207" program.

SWAGƵ’s Makerspace, an innovative campus resource that serves as a laboratory for creation and building, was featured on WCSH’s program “207” on May 16, 2016.

The segment showcased student projects, such as a solar-powered charging station and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) designed to be used as an underwater drone. “It started as a project in my basement because I wanted one and couldn’t afford one,” explained the creator of the drone, senior Matt Scheuer. “I grew up fishing and diving, and I needed something to check out dive sites before I went in.”

The students’ creations are designed with retail in mind. Scheuer said that while similar underwater drones often sell for more than $10,000, he intends to market his for about $1,500.

Bill Seretta, instructor of two courses that utilize the space, noted how quickly the idea of the Makerspace has taken off, sharing that SWAGƵ now has a Maker’s Club. He said that he hopes that within a year, the university can look at expanding the Makerspace from 1,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet. “We’re just booked in this spot. It went from nothing to madness in a short period of time,” he stated.

Student Kristin Dechene expressed her gratitude for the opportunities made possible by the Makerspace. “We’re very fortunate to have this space and to be able to do some of the hands-on stuff and build skills that we really wouldn’t have otherwise,” she noted.

SWAGƵ the SWAGƵ

The SWAGƵ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.