Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: September 2nd, 2025
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
Welcome back to another exciting school year!
This summer was a busy one at Jacobs Hall, culminating with Jacobs hosting the International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces (ISAM) at multiple venues across campus. 388 leaders from 163 institutions from 10 countries traveled to UC Berkeley for workshops, keynotes (Adam Savage! Leah Bucheley!), and to share demos and research presentations on various efforts and experiments on strategies and methods for maximizing the impact of makerspaces on student learning and alumni success.
Jacobs also hosted seven Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars, who spent the summer conducting cutting-edge research in areas like computational design, machine learning, materials science, and biomedical engineering, while building prototypes with support from faculty and graduate mentors. And we also had 20 busy summer students moving through DES INV 22: Prototyping & Fabrication, learning key skills and makerspace tool operations to design, model, and build physical objects.
It was a great summer, but nothing beats kicking off the school year with fresh energy and new ideas! Hope to see you soon in the Makerspace or at Jacobs Hall for one of our upcoming events.
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
MAKERPASS REGISTRATION IS OPEN—AND SO IS THE MAKERSPACE!
REGISTER
The Maker Pass is your point of entry to hands-on making at the Jacobs Hall Makerspace, giving UC Berkeley students, staff, and faculty access to tools, equipment, training and resources for sewing, molding, welding, soldering, laser cutting, 3D printing, and more. Passes are available for research, clubs, classes, and community users, with financial support options to keep making accessible. Individual passes are $125 per semester; discounted club memberships available also. Register now to start building!
Fall semester hours:
Aug. 27 – Sept. 14:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday, CLOSED
Sept. 15 – Dec. 19:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
JACOBS MAKERSPACE OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, September 10 ⋅ 12:00 – 3:00pm ⋅ Jacobs Hall, First Floor Makerspace
RSVP
Curious to learn what actually you can DO in UC Berkeley’s only makerspace open to all students, staff & faculty? 🛠️✨ Come to our Fall 2025 Open House! Meet staff, see equipment demos, and join in-depth tours at 12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 PM. Plus: play Makerspace Bingo for a chance to win a FREE Maker Pass!
Can’t make the Open House? Join a student led makerspace tour every Monday from 11am-12pm and Wednesdays, 1pm-2pm. See here for more details and where to meet.
JACOBS STUDENT INNOVATION COUNCIL INFO SESSION
Friday, September 12 ⋅ 12:00 – 1:00pm ⋅ Jacobs Hall
RSVP
Join us for a lunchtime info session to learn about the new Jacobs Student Innovation Council, the next evolution of the Student Advisory Board. The Council represents student voices in shaping the future of Jacobs Institute programs, resources, and community. Applications for the 2025–26 Council are open now through Friday, September 19 at 9am PST. Lunch will be provided!
TECHNICAL CAMPUS MAKERSPACE CRAWL
Wednesday, September 17 ⋅ 12:00 – 1:30pm ⋅ RSVP
🔧 Dive into the engineering side of making! This crawl highlights UC Berkeley’s more technical spaces, starting with the Jacobs Hall Makerspace and continuing through the Mechanical Engineering Student Machine Shop, Cory Student Workshop & Supernode, and the College of Environmental Design Fabrication Lab. See specialized tools in action and learn how to get involved. Bring your curiosity—and comfortable shoes!
CREATIVE CAMPUS MAKERSPACE CRAWL
Wednesday, September 24 ⋅ 12:00 – 1:30pm ⋅ RSVP
🎨 Explore the artistic side of making! This crawl showcases creative spaces across campus, beginning with the Jacobs Hall Makerspace and visiting the Library Makerspace, Berkeley Art Studio (Helen Diller Anchor House) and the Art Studio & Creative Lab (MLK Jr. Building). Discover hands-on resources for design and self-expression—and don’t forget comfortable shoes!
This newsletter was created with assistance from artificial intelligence to help summarize events and programs.
To add your event to the Jacobs Student Newsletter, please contact Janrey Javier at janrey...@berkeley.edu.
Get your Jacobs Maker Pass and get access to a world-class prototyping and fabrication facility — training and mentorship by professional staff included.
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