TechCreate

TechCreate is a relatively small makerspace, much like an open classroom, located in a mixed-use industrial park. It was founded as a for-profit space, with the intention to create a community of makers for the outer Dublin area. Because adult memberships have been slow to grow, the space has pivoted towards small-scale manufacturing services and, at the same time, provides educational services to youth in the community. While learning communities for adults are largely non-existent, the space works diligently to provide opportunities for youth to work in teams and in near-peer combinations to foster a sense of community. Most youth participants in the space start the experience with TechCreate by taking a six-week basic coding class and from there may choose to specialize in making by joining a making club for youth or may choose to take an intermediate level coding course and then join a coding club. This chapter explores TechCreate.