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Army MakerSpace

About MakerSpace

Makerspace is an Army initiative providing a place for learning-by-making and education in innovative approaches, creative thinking, and agile methodologies. All Army personnel are invited to join their local community of makers to gain a professional toolbox of problem-solving techniques to tackle Army’s current and emerging challenges.

Makerspace is part of The Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation & Coordination Office (RICO) within Future Land Warfare Branch and contributes to realising a Future Ready workforce.

Locations

The Makerspace facilities can be accessed at nine bases across the country from 0800 – 1800.

Map of makerspace locations around Australia

Irwin Barracks, Perth | Robertson Barracks, Darwin | Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Adelaide 
Holsworthy Barracks, Sydney | Latchford Barracks, Albury/Wodonga
Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane | Borneo Barracks, Toowoomba | Lavarack Barracks, Townsville
Simpson Barracks, Melbourne

Makerspace Workshop

Whether you’re wanting to prototype an idea or understand manufacturing technologies, the MakerSpace workshop provides tools and equipment to turn your ideas into reality.

At the Makerspace Workshop you will have access to:

CAD and design
work areas

CNC laser cutter
& engravers

3D printing

Electronics

Mentors and
professional training

Wood and metal
work areas

 

Makerspace Courses

Army Applied Innovation Course

Makerspace is an Army initiative providing a place for learning-by-making and education in innovative approaches, creative thinking, and agile methodologies. All Army personnel are invited to join their local community of makers to gain a professional toolbox of problem-solving techniques to tackle Army’s current and emerging challenges.

Diverse and innovative thinkers are vitally important in realising an Army in Motion. The Army Applied Innovation Course provides two-weeks of training from leading education providers including Deakin University and AxisAgile. The course has been designed to develop the cognitive baseline of soldiers around problem solving and design thinking.

The Army Applied Innovation Course is facilitated once a year in each MakerSpace location and teaches participants concepts in design thinking while providing opportunity to work in a team environment and apply these skills.

WEEK 1 WEEK 2
Challenge yourself in the Army Applied Innovation Course developed by Deakin University. Learn to apply innovation in both daily and adverse situations. Learn Agile project management techniques and become a certified Scrum Master. Put your new skills to the test by solving an Army challenge and apply innovative thinking in a team environment. Pitch your innovative idea to Army leaders at the end of the week. 

 

Lean Innovation for Leaders Course

The Lean Innovation Course for Leaders will provide you with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to lead innovative and agile teams. Delivered by Army MakerSpace, the course has been designed to empower top-down innovation across Army.

Following the two-day course you will be able to:

  • Define and orientate innovation
  • Understand different innovation models and frameworks
  • Develop techniques to support an innovation pipeline
  • Use innovation tools, including Mission Model Canvas
  • Contribute to a culture that enables creativity across Army

 

Course Dates

Army Applied Innovation Course

Location Date
Gallipoli Barracks  14-25 October 2024
Simpson Barracks 11-22 November 2024
Holsworthy Barracks 10-21 March 2025
Irwin Barracks 19-30 May 2025

Lean Innovation for Leaders

Location Date
Lavarack Barracks 14-15 October 2024
Robertson Barracks 11-19 November 2024
Latchford Barracks 24-25 March 2025
RAAF Edinburgh 16-17 June 2025

Army Innovation Toolkit 

Learn how to develop and pitch ideas in the Army.

You will learn a range of techniques and frameworks that you can use to:

  • Identify problems within the Army that you want to solve.
  • Understand the scale of challenges and identify novel solutions.
  • Develop your skillset in pitching to guarantee success.

Training is delivered through online readings and videos that you can
be accessed on your phone.

All Army personnel are encouraged to join.

Access the Toolkit

 

Further reading

For more information about the MakerSpace program, explore the Land Power Forum articles below:
•    Enhancing Army’s intellectual capacity through MakerSpaces
•    MakerSpaces in Army: Encouraging innovation through non-linear thinking
•    MakerSpaces in Army - a practical applicatihttps://researchcentre.army.gov.au/contact-uson
•    Building a Makerspace Facilitation Team

 

Contact Army MakerSpace to find out more 

Last updated:
Listen: How MakerSpace is supporting Army Innovation

Featuring WO Kim Felmingham, NSC, OAM & Jasmine Kastaniotis

Listen now on The Cove