UNC Maker In Residence Project

I have had the great privilege to be the Autumn 2016 Maker In Residence in the Maker Program at UNC Chapel Hill. Our goal was to introduce a select group of undergraduate students to Native Bees and create sculptures that would serve as bee nesting units.

Here are our students:

Anne:

Sophomore

Environmental Studies and Journalism

My grandfather was a beekeeper, and I grew up in a very "bee-friendly" environment

Helena:

Freshman

Undecided major

…to use my creative problem solving skills in a setting that will challenge me.

Laurina:

Sophomore

Environmental Sciences

I am extremely concerned about the status of bee populations

Liza:

Sophomore

Political Science and Contemporary European Studies

…perfect way for me to contribute in making a difference for the bees of North Carolina

Nancy:

Senior

Biology and Studio Art

…always been interested and concerned about the alarming decline in bee population

Nissa:

Sophomore

Biology and Statistics

I intend on becoming an entomologist with a focus on honeybees

Ritam:

Junior

Food and Agricultural Studies

Building things helps me think creatively, get to know materials intimately…

Sarah:

Junior

Environmental Science and Mathematics

Bees are rad … Gotta love natural pollinators

 Zac:

First Year

Undeclared

My main motivation… is simply to learn something new and to challenge my mind

:

Zita:

Junior

Studio Arts and Graphic Design

…MY BOYFRIEND AND I WANNA BE BEEKEEPERS WHEN WE GROW UP

The manager of UNC Makerspaces is Charlie Cummings

In our first class, NC State Entomologist Dr. Elsa Youngsteadt spoke to us about the biology of bees, especially native bees. Here, she is demonstrating Mason Bee nesting unites. Student Maker Assistant Isaac Boulter looks on.

Nissa and Annie with their wooden nesting unit

I gave a demonstration of how to build a Native Bee nesting unit using two by four boards. The students then created similar pieces.

In the second class, I demonstrated how to make a paper maquette as a pattern for a metal sculpture. The students set out to create paper maquettes for their sculptures.

Zac and his paper model

During the next three classes, the students created metal sculptures based on their maquettes. Read about their work on the UNC Maker in Residence Blog

The Maker students will share their experience in a Bee Fail on November 18th.