Hackerspaces are starting to change engineering education. The University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering is looking to put some Co-op students in the LVL1 hackerspace. We are exploring how to get students working on hands-on projects sooner in the engineering curriculum.

Yes, this is a paid Co-op position working on a project at LVL1. Our next Co-ops start in Summer 2013. You must be a Speed School student seeking a Summer Co-op to apply for this program.

If you’re seeking a Co-op position in Fall 2013, stay tuned. There may be another opening for that semester. For Summer 2013, the application deadline is April 1.

This program is closely aligned with LVL1′s non-Coop makership program. To apply, you propose a project. However, you will also choose a faculty mentor because Co-ops require a supervisor. We are also seeking to interview Makership Co-ops at different points before, during and after the Makership to learn how the experience can affect engineering education.

What is a Co-Op Makership?

A Co-Op Makership is a $400 project stipend and 12 months worth of LVL1 membership dues, plus 12 weeks of Co-op stipend ranging from $12/hr-$14/hr depending on whether it is your first, second or third Co-op. The makership will actually be your job; like any Co-op you may not have other employment during the Co-op semester. We recognize that Speed students do not usually have funds or time to start a new project in a hackerspace during a normal semester. Our makership program seeks to eliminate these hurdles and get you making–with some extra membership months to carry on with the project you started during the Co-op.

We award our makerships to applicants who can put together the best pitch for (1) what they want to make and (2) how they plan to do it. You can align your project with an ongoing project at LVL1 or the University of Louisville, or propose your own project in software/hardware/a medium that we haven’t imagined yet. When proposing your project, consider how your work can use the resources of LVL1, and how it can contribute to the hackerspace community to make something great.

LVL1 Makership Fellows Receive the Following:

1. 12 months of membership dues  at award start date. Member rights include:
   1. An RFID key for 24 hour access to LVL1.
   2. Access to LVL1 equipment, such as our Makerbot Replicator, 40W laser cutter, woodshop, electronics tools and more.
   3. Space at LVL1 to store a reasonable amount of equipment and materials.
   4. Eligibility to vote on LVL1 membership votes, such as equipment purchases.
2. Project stipend of $400 USD to finance the project. This can be used for purchasing tools, parts, prototyping and attending LVL1 workshops. It should be used for whatever is needed to get the project done!
3. Letter of reference from a LVL1 Mentor or LVL1 President upon successful project completion and upon request.

Interested in Applying? Here is the Application Form. The deadline is April 1. 

Questions? Email coopmakership@lvl1.org

The LVL1 / U of L Co-Op Makership program is supported by the National Science Foundation.