Proposing a Class

Members teaching members

Members teaching members is one of the best parts of Waukesha Makerspace. The most popular classes have been run by regular members sharing something they know.

You do not need to be an expert. If you know something well enough to show one other person, that is a class. If you just got started and figured a few things out the hard way, there are members who know less than you and would love to learn from you.

What counts as a class

Almost anything. Some ideas:

• Joinery, or cutting curves and shapes on the band saw
• MIG or TIG welding basics
• Sewing machine basics, the embroidery machine, or leatherworking
• 3D printing setup and slicing
• Soldering
• Cleaning and maintaining a machine you know well
• A piece of software you use, like Fusion 360, LightBurn or Inkscape
• Anything else you have been tinkering with lately

Keep it small and simple

• A class can run anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• It can be one on one, or you showing a handful of people.
• No slides or handouts required. Pick one thing, show how you do it, and answer questions.

If you want to build something reusable, see Writing a Syllabus Others Can Reuse.

Getting your class on the calendar

There are two ways:

1. Add it to the events calendar yourself.

2. Email admin@waukeshamakers.com with:

   • the topic,
   • a rough length,
   • how many people you can take,
   • a date or two that work for you.

   An admin or board member will set up the event page for you.

Once it is listed, see Volunteer Runbooks: Promoting an Event to get the word out.

Not sure your idea is "enough"?

It probably is. Email admin@waukeshamakers.com, ask in Discord, or grab a board member at the space. You can also mention it during the "Teach a Skill" part of the monthly open house.

Instructor terms and materials fees

How instructors are compensated and how materials fees work is not written down yet. See Instructor Terms and Materials Fees.