As a sponsor of the UoS iForge, a practical 'Maker-space' for students studying at the University, the IET SYLN were invited to attend as an exhibitor to their first Symposium & Workshop event on the 12th &13th September 2019.

The event was held in their prestigious Diamond Building (where the iForge is located) using a selection of lecture theaters in this building covering a variety of presentations & workshops.

The exhibitors, who are also co-sponsors, were located in a large open space area on the first floor & had stands to demonstrate and showcase their respective products and services.

Exhibitors were also invited to sit in on any choice of the lectures offering the opportunity to hear about how the iForge idea came about and also from guest speaker Professor Craig Forest who's the founder/organiser of one of the largest student-run prototyping facilities in the USA called the 'Invention Studio' at Georgia Tech.

An interesting presentation to open the event was given by Professor Stephen Beck, Head of Multidisciplinary Engineering Education at UoS.

A further presentation by Dr Zoe Laughlin -  co founder of the Institute of Making and the Materials Library at UCL in 2013, highlighted their journey creating the maker-space and the lessons learned along the way.

Our thanks also to Dr Pete Mylon who's the Academic Lead for the iForge and Ryan Jones who's a Senior Teaching Technician at the UoS for all their  support. 

Lydia Hall, one of our YP members currently studying at the UoS, came along on the Friday to support me on the stand to which I thank her most sincerely. 

The iForge is proving to be an excellent maker-space area within the Diamond Building which students studying Engineering are making full use of and sponsoring this is very much appreciated by the University.