About Developing Content
We have a Google Doc template for developing our educational offering. You can see an Example Here. Request access to the google doc templates from [email protected]. It is best to book a short training session to learn how to use the template.
In all our classes, we have an inclusion-first approach. Please consider who this workshop is for and what would be welcoming and appropriate. These are the other things to consider when you are developing content:
What type of class or lab is this?
Ace Offers three types of education:
- Access-based classes, labs, and workshops are designed to deliver the information you need to access tools and use the space effectively. This type of class is the path to tool certification.
- Exposure-based classes, labs, and workshops are designed to provide a mentored experience while using tools at various skill levels. They are project-based or technique-focused offerings.
- Experience-based classes and workshops are designed to provide folks with an immersive build experience. They are longer offerings and often span multiple days.
Consider the following critical thinking questions about your workshop
If this is a class:
- How will you embed the Ace mission in your class development?
- Will there be hands-on portion of the class?
- Will the students need to bring a laptop? If so, what software will they need?
- What physical materials will you need as the instructor?
- What physical materials will students need?
- Does this class require special clothes?
- Should folks bring a snack or lunch?
- Will you need to print out handouts?
If this is an open lab:
- How will you embed the Ace mission in your Lab development?
- What equipment will folks have access to?
- What software or knowledge base will they have access to?
- What are other participants likely to be working on?
- Will there be food or drink or should folks bring their own?
- What supplies will folks have access to… to keep or to practice on.
- Why is your meet up neat?
- Is there a special focus to your meet up?
If this is a meetup (no tool use):
- How will you embed the Ace mission in your meet up development and outreach?
- What equipment will folks have access to? Meet up’s are no tool-use events. Strictly AV, computers, etc.
- What software or knowledge base will they have access to?
- What are other participants be talking about?
- Will there be food or drink or should folks bring their own?
- What supplies will folks have access to… to keep or to practice on.
- Why is your lab neat?
- Is there a special focus to your lab?
Figuring out your logistics
- Is your prototype ready for photos? (if applicable)
- How long is the class? (Start / Stop times. Don’t forget to leave enough time for participants to help you clean up)
- What date is the class? (three weeks lead time from announcement to the event is best) Check for conflicts in other scheduled classes.
- What is the RSVP fee? (minimum is usually $8) Will it be a sliding scale event?
- How many people can attend your class comfortably?
- What is the age cut-off for students?
- What room/space will you be using?
Craft your content
- Create a description of what people will learn or experience at your event.
- Include the tools folks will use
- Include if this is for beginners or experienced folks
- Make sure to include boilerplate COVID information
- Be sure to include the refund policy.
- It doesn’t have to be a long description and can even be a bulleted list
- Find/take some pictures that are relevant to what you will teach… at least one hero image
Resources for developing classes, workshops, and labs
Ace provides a variety of support for developing classes, labs, and resources. This includes providing materials for consultation when needed.
Get your Event Approved
Not all things hit the master calendar at the same time. Connect with the officers to make sure that your event is not crashing into other events. This is also the time to check in and verify that what you are teaching and how you are teaching it is in line with the Ace mission and inclusion-first approach.
Send your write-up to Rachel/Crafty, our executive director, or make an appointment for a consultation.
Checklist for Publishing Events
These are the steps staff take to get an event up. As of 7/1/23 this list is out of date while we convert to an new events platform
- Add to meetup.com calendar
- Make sure to include boilerplate refund policy, safety, and COVID policy information.
- Include a photo
- Add to Ace Google Calendar
- Schedule a notification on Slack to publish the day before
- Example: REMINDER: Workshop Intensive Class tomorrow from 10am to 4pm. Ace Shops (yes, both rooms) are closed for the duration of the class. No exceptions. This is a pre-scheduled post. Please excuse any duplicates that may occur.
- Call dibs on any adjacent equipment you may need to stay off so you don’t have a sound issue.
- Add a link to your event to any relevant web pages on acemakerspace.org
If you need advanced access to any of these platforms or tools please request access via email to [email protected]
What not to do
- Announce an event without an RSVP fee unless is an approve open lab
- Announce an event without enough time for folks to go
Holding your Event
The following are good ideas, not requirements… okay some are requirements. You can book TA Training with our member services associate to learn al the in’s and out’s of set up and strike.
- Plan enough time to set up your room or space
- Put out the sandwich board before your event
- Plan enough time to clean up after your event
- Bring the sandwich board in after your event
- Put out a donation can for your event
- Hand out how-to-be member fliers to interested parties