Capstone Countdown: 'Febrication' At 1819 Makerspace

Seniors must act fast to secure makerspace access for capstone projects before peak demand hits

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Capstone season is in full swing at the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace, with February dubbed "Febrication" as the critical time for seniors to book makerspace time, complete tool certifications, and get a head start on their capstone projects before the space becomes overwhelmed with demand in March and April.

Why it matters

The 1819 Makerspace is a vital resource for UC seniors working on their capstone projects, which are a graduation requirement. However, the space faces extremely high demand as the semester progresses, so seniors who wait until the last minute may miss out on access to the tools and training they need to bring their capstone ideas to life.

The details

According to makerspace director Benjamin Jones, "March or April may be too late" for seniors to start their capstone projects in the 1819 Makerspace, as the space becomes flooded with students and many latecomers get turned away. The makerspace saw over 1,500 visits in April alone last year, a 50% jump from the prior months. To help spread awareness, the 1819 Makerspace has launched "Febrication" in February to encourage seniors to book time, complete tool certifications, and get a head start before the peak demand hits.

  • February is the critical "Febrication" period for seniors to prepare for their capstone projects.
  • In March and April, the 1819 Makerspace sees a major spike in foot traffic, with over 1,500 visits in April alone last year.

The players

Benjamin Jones

Director of the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace at the University of Cincinnati.

Olivia Belk

Unit coordinator for the 1819 Makerspace at the University of Cincinnati.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“March or April may be too late”

— Benjamin Jones, Director of the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace (Mirage News)

“Makerspace foot traffic steadily increases as the spring semester progresses. In April alone we had over 1,500 visits last year, which is a 50% jump from the months prior. April is easily our busiest month of the year. At that point, seniors should be trained up and working on their capstones in the makerspace, not visiting for the first time.”

— Olivia Belk, Unit coordinator for the 1819 Makerspace (Mirage News)

What’s next

The 1819 Makerspace is offering dozens of workshops and certifications throughout February to help seniors prepare for their capstone projects. Seniors are encouraged to identify the equipment they'll need early on and complete the necessary training sessions during the "Febrication" period to ensure they have access to the tools they need before the space becomes overwhelmed with demand in March and April.

The takeaway

The 1819 Makerspace is a critical resource for UC seniors working on their capstone projects, but the space faces extremely high demand as the spring semester progresses. By taking advantage of the "Febrication" period in February to book time, complete tool certifications, and get a head start on their projects, seniors can avoid the stress and competition of trying to access the makerspace in the final months before graduation.