Difference between revisions of "Makership"

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## Is it cool (important because one of the few rules of LVL1 is to Have Fun)
 
## Is it cool (important because one of the few rules of LVL1 is to Have Fun)
 
Reference: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program http://www.nsfgrfp.org/
 
Reference: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program http://www.nsfgrfp.org/
 +
 +
==FAQ==
 +
*Q: Can people work in a group? what if 2-3 people work together for a great project? Would that be accepted even though the scholarship goes to 1 person would you accept a group project?
 +
**A: Collaborate with as many people as you can! All we care about is that you utilize any resources you need to complete your project. The makership is only awarded to 1 individual, but as a member you will have a key and can invite any collaborators you choose.
 +
*Q: If i get stuck can i ask for other members help or will that disqualify me?
 +
**A: No way! We encourage you to ask for help!
 +
*Q: Is there a limit on how much i can spend? if i find a company to sponsor me but keep the final project open would that be allowed?
 +
**A: Nope. Spend as much of your own personal money or sponsored money as you need. The $400 is our way of helping you get started.
 +
*Q: Will the final project be taken apart for review of all internals or is it a work / fail project?
 +
**A:
 +
*Q:Are there any limitations to size , power requirements , weight that must be met? 
 +
**A:
 +
*Q:Must the project be displayed onsite?
 +
 
==Sample Scorecard ==
 
==Sample Scorecard ==
 
I'll bring a copy to the LVL1 meeting tonight (Grace, 8/31/2010)
 
I'll bring a copy to the LVL1 meeting tonight (Grace, 8/31/2010)

Revision as of 16:56, 2 September 2010

Makership - a hackerspace scholarship to make something great!

This is the unofficial makership wiki page. It is a work in progress to describe what a makership is and what criteria should be used to judge the proposal merits.

First let's make it clear that LVL1 tries first and foremost to be a completely free resource for the public at large. We host many events that are open to anyone at no cost whatsoever. This discussion only applies to the rights and responsibilities of those wanting a full membership.

This makership plan was developed as an alternative to reduced membership dues.

What is a makership?

A makership is a fellowship comprising 12 months worth of one individual's membership dues and other resources, based on financial need and a solid project proposal. We want to put the focus on making. A makership is open to anyone with a good plan to engineer a project they've been dreaming about. It could be electronics, software, a project for the social good or (hopefully) a project we haven't imagined. We want to be surprised by creativity. We want LVL1 to be the place where these things are *made*. But wait there's more! Recognizing that financial needs extend beyond membership dues, we want to finance the project as well.

The fundraising for this makership approach is completely independent of LVL1's finances. We'll take donations from whomever is willing to donate. It may take us 3 months to raise the funds, or 3 days. And we'll make as many makerships available as the donations will allow.

LVL1 Makership Fellows Receive the Following

  • 12 months of membership dues (equivalent to $600) at award start date. Member rights include:
    • A key or other method of entry to the physical workspace.
    • Twenty-four hour access to the physical workspace.
    • Store a reasonable amount of equipment at the workspace.
    • Sponsor a qualified person for a membership vote.
    • Eligibility to vote on any issue put before the membership.
    • Eligibility to vote for officers and directors.
  • Extra $400 to finance the project, maintained by the LVL1 treasurer. This can be used for purchasing tools, parts, prototyping and LVL1 workshops. It should be used for whatever is needed to get the project done!
  • Letter of reference from a LVL1 Mentor or LVL1 President upon successful project completion and upon request.

Eligibility

  1. All eligibility requirements as described in the LVL1 Eligibility criteria apply
  2. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older
  3. Applicants must not be an existing member of LVL1
  4. Applicants must be a resident of the Louisville area for the duration of the makership

Application Materials

  1. Personal Statement
    1. Tell us a little about yourself including:
      1. Why are you fascinated by your research area?
      2. What personal and individual strengths do you have that make you a qualified applicant?
      3. What are all of your applicable previous experiences, if any?
  2. Personal Impact
    1. Tell us how receiving the LVL1 makership and the resources it provides will contribute towards your goals as a maker?
  3. Project Proposal
    1. An overview of what you want to do with your time and resources
  4. Project Timeline
    1. Create a project plan with several milestones, including estimates for
      1. How long will it take to get to milestones in your project.
      2. Methods for determining if you've achieved a milestone (could be as simply as demonstrating the project to the LVL1 members, and getting sign-off)
      3. How long will it take to finish the project; you don't have to take an entire year, but you should strive to have a finished project by the end of 12 months

Review Criteria

It's not the intent for a makership application to receive a high rating across all review criteria, so makerships are awarded based on a weighted scorecard.

  1. Personal Impact
    1. How significant a financial impact does the LVL1 makership have on this applicant? After all, this is a need-based makership.
  2. Makership Merit
    1. How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields?
    2. How well qualified is the applicant to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of prior work.)
    3. To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?
    4. How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity?
    5. Is there sufficient access to resources?
  3. Social Good
    1. Why does the world need this
    2. To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships?
    3. Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding?
  4. The Hacker Ethic
    1. Sharing
    2. Openness
    3. Decentralization
    4. Free access to computers
    5. World Improvement
  5. Coolness Factor
    1. Is it cool (important because one of the few rules of LVL1 is to Have Fun)

Reference: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program http://www.nsfgrfp.org/

FAQ

  • Q: Can people work in a group? what if 2-3 people work together for a great project? Would that be accepted even though the scholarship goes to 1 person would you accept a group project?
    • A: Collaborate with as many people as you can! All we care about is that you utilize any resources you need to complete your project. The makership is only awarded to 1 individual, but as a member you will have a key and can invite any collaborators you choose.
  • Q: If i get stuck can i ask for other members help or will that disqualify me?
    • A: No way! We encourage you to ask for help!
  • Q: Is there a limit on how much i can spend? if i find a company to sponsor me but keep the final project open would that be allowed?
    • A: Nope. Spend as much of your own personal money or sponsored money as you need. The $400 is our way of helping you get started.
  • Q: Will the final project be taken apart for review of all internals or is it a work / fail project?
    • A:
  • Q:Are there any limitations to size , power requirements , weight that must be met?
    • A:
  • Q:Must the project be displayed onsite?

Sample Scorecard

I'll bring a copy to the LVL1 meeting tonight (Grace, 8/31/2010)