Students build passions at ‘Makerspaces’ at PACC

It is a space for people to build and share ideas, tools

KARACHI: Ever heard of bananas being piano keys or a flashlight made of an empty tissue roll and a plastic cup?

Students from different universities and colleges were able to build these at the 'Makerspaces: What is a Maker?' event organised by the United States (US) consulate at the Pak-American Cultural Centre (PACC) on Wednesday. At the consulate's newly launched Lincoln Corner at the PACC premises, information resource officer Marcy Carrel briefed the students about the concept of 'Makerspaces', which is getting popular in US libraries, schools and community centres.



"It's a space where people can build and share ideas, tools [and] passions," she explained. In easy words, it is a place where people can get together to make things, build and experiment in electronics, robotics, wood work, arts and crafts.

After Carrel's presentation, the more than 60 students, some of whom had come from Balochistan, were divided into groups and told to make stuff with instruction guides and the material available. A student from Bahria University, Muhammad Hamza, sorted out electronic building blocks, batteries and a plastic cup, and made a flashlight within minutes. "This is amazing," he said, switching the light on. Students from Iqra University used blocks and paper to form an automated greeting hand.

Lincoln Corners

According to Carrel, who is based at the US embassy in Islamabad, there are 17 Lincoln Corners in the country, while three are being developed.



The Lincoln Corner is a space developed in universities, libraries and cultural centres, stacked with shelves of books and magazines, computers, TV screen and films. "The goal of these corners [is] to strengthen people-to-people contact, and connect Pakistanis with America," says Carrel, who oversees all these corners in the country.

These corners focus on five core programmes such as the English language course, educating about education opportunity in the US, alumni talking about their experiences, cultural programmes and information about the US.

Named after the US president Abraham Lincoln, they are developed partnerships with host institutions. In Karachi, the corner is created at the PACC while the flagship corner is under development.



The newly-launched corner at the PACC is colourful and neat, a wall designed with American landmarks and pictures. "We want to strengthen every corner," said Carrel. "This is a way to meet every-day Pakistanis."

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2016.