CSUB announces new outdoor makerspace

Project being funded by Chevron as part of $15 million in support since 1990

By California State University, Bakersfield

July 25^th, 2023

California State University, Bakersfield celebrated more than 30 years of support from Chevron on Monday, including funding for a new outdoor space that will give engineering students more room to work on their projects.

CSUB held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new makerspace, to be located behind the Engineering Complex. The space will feature a 20-foot long, 40-foot-wide covered area that will house work stations that include benches, testing and storage space, a welding station, power hubs and other resources students can use for their designs.

“We believe in the power of education to uplift Central Valley families as they strive to make their dreams a reality,” said Molly Laegeler, vice president of Chevron’s San Joaquin Valley Business Unit. “We’re confident that the investments we have made will continue to make our community an even better place to learn, work and live.”

The university hopes to begin work on the new project sometime later this year.

“Engineering students who are with us today will have the rare opportunity to translate their ideas and their thoughts into projects they can see and touch,” said President Lynnette Zelezny. “Experiential learning is an essential component of an education in the sciences, and we are grateful that our students will benefit from this wonderful gift.”

The makerspace is part of $15 million in total support that Chevron has provided to CSUB since 1990. One of its largest donations has been $1 million to supply equipment for the future Energy Innovation Building on campus.

While that funding has largely focused on the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering (NSME), the company has also supported student research programs, the President’s Associates, Alumni Association scholarships and other initiatives.

“More than 30 years ago, Chevron and CSUB began a partnership that has yielded unprecedented support for the students of this great university,” Zelezny said. “We’re gathered here today to say ‘thank you’ to Chevron on behalf of our students past and present who have been given the opportunity to rise because of Chevron’s belief in them. This generous support has helped our students become the STEM professionals of our region.”

Chevron also helped establish the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program in 2021, giving NSME students the ability to work with faculty on research projects over the course of four weeks.

Rocio Pulido, an engineering major in the program, said she’s excited about the new makerspace and hopes to be able to use it in the future.

“It’s really amazing,” she said. “I feel like students learn more by having things to work with. You get more out of your experience.”

Fellow engineering major and SURE program participant Jose Cazares has often utilized the FabLab on campus, which was also established with funding from Chevron. It provides 3-D printers and other equipment that allows students and community members to bring their designs to life.

Cazares said space can sometimes be an issue when there are several people trying to use the facility at the same time, something he hopes will be alleviated by the new makerspace.

“I’ve been struggling with my projects here and there, so this sounds great. We need more space for the engineering students,” he said. “Now with this new space we’re going to get, it’s going to be awesome to work in and having equipment ready to go.”

Laegeler said the company’s history of giving to CSUB reflects its goals of investing in the community.

“We are so grateful for CSUB and the community for your support and strong collaboration to build a better tomorrow for the greater Bakersfield area. We look forward to continuing to partner with you,” she said.