Empowering Creativity and Innovation in North Iowa

The NIACC Innovation Workspace is an academic and community fabrication laboratory - a makerspace - empowering your creativity.

Whether you are a student, entrepreneur, or a hobbyist, join this community of like-minded thinkers and problem solvers.

In June, Four teams competed to create the best solution to a mystery prompt!

Check out this highlight video to see what was created and who won!

Sponsored by:

Our Upcoming Workshops

Join us and learn how to use various pieces of our equipment!

Cricut Cutting Machine Basics

Kickstart your vinyl crafting journey with this introductory session. Whether you bring your own Cricut cutter or use one of ours, you'll learn the basics of cutting intricate designs with a cutting machine. This session covers everything from setting up your machine to mastering basic cuts, preparing you for more advanced projects.

September 5th, 6pm - 8pm

Customizing Wooden Signs with Vinyl

Discover the art of customizing with adhesive vinyl. In this session, you'll learn to cut vinyl with a vinyl cutter, use transfer tape, and apply your design to a wooden plaque. By the end, you'll have a beautifully customized wood piece to take home, along with the skills to create more on your own.

September 10th, 6pm - 8pm

Personalizing Glassware with Vinyl

Transform a plain glass cup into a personalized masterpiece. This session teaches you how to cut and apply permanent vinyl designs onto glassware using a vinyl cutter. You'll leave with a custom glass cup adorned with your unique design, perfect for gifts or personal use.

September 12th, 6pm - 8pm

Customizing Apparel With Iron-On Vinyl

Bring your own piece of apparel and learn how to customize it with iron-on vinyl. This session covers cutting heat transfer vinyl with a vinyl cutter and applying it to fabric. You'll walk away with a personalized item of clothing and the knowledge to continue creating customized apparel.

September 17th, 6pm - 8pm

Vinyl Layering: Elevate Your Crafting Skills

Take your vinyl crafting skills to the next level with this advanced session on layering vinyl. Learn how to create complex, multi-layered designs and apply them to a drawstring bag. This session builds on previous techniques, giving you the expertise to tackle more intricate projects.

September 19th, 6pm - 8pm

Costuming and Cosplay Prop Making Essentials

Embark on a journey into the world of costuming with EVA foam. This project based series covers cutting and assembling to painting your own props. Perfect for cosplay enthusiasts and DIY costume makers, this course will provide the skills and techniques to bring your creative visions to life.

October 8th, 6pm - 9pm

October 10th, 6pm - 9pm

October 12th, 1pm - 4pm

Looms and Lore

Discover the art and history of weaving in this engaging course. "Looms and Lore" combines hands-on weaving sessions with insights into the historical significance of looms. By the end of this series, you'll have created your own frame loom, learned basic weaving techniques, and gained an appreciation for the evolution of this timeless craft.

October 12th, 10am - 12pm

October 19th, 10am - 12pm

October 26th, 10am - 12pm

Maker's Toolkit: LED Sign Series

Embark on an exciting project-based course where you'll learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling, 3D printing, laser engraving, and Arduino electronics. This hands-on series will guide you through creating a custom LED-lit acrylic sign on a 3D-printed base, perfect for showcasing your new skills. Each session builds towards the final project, which you can proudly take home.

October 15th, 6pm - 8pm

October 22nd, 6pm - 8pm

October 29th, 6pm - 8pm

Tabletop Game Theory and Design

Dive into the fundamentals of game theory and design in this introductory session. Explore key concepts that make games engaging and fun while planning out your own unique tabletop game.

November 7th, 6pm - 9pm

Tabletop Game Construction

Begin bringing your game idea to life in this hands-on session. You'll start constructing the essential components of your game, whether it's a board game or a card game. Get guidance on materials, layout, and assembly to ensure your game starts taking shape.

November 12th, 6pm - 9pm

Laser Engraving Custom Game Boards

Learn how to use our laser engraver to design and create custom game boards. This session will guide you through the process of laser cutting and engraving to produce high-quality boards for your tabletop game.

November 14th, 6pm - 9pm

3D Printing Game Elements

Enhance your game with custom 3D printed elements. This session covers both FDM and resin 3D printing techniques to create unique game pieces, tokens, and other components that add depth and dimension to your game.

November 19th, 6pm - 9pm

Custom Card Creation

Create custom playing cards using our vinyl printer and cutter. This session teaches you how to design, print, and cut vinyl to create cards that are tailored to your game's theme and mechanics, ensuring a cohesive and personalized gaming experience.

November 21st, 6pm - 9pm

Game Night and Playtesting

Celebrate your hard work with a game night where you'll showcase and playtest your creations. Invite friends, family, and members of the public to try out your game, gather feedback, and enjoy the fruits of your labor in a fun and interactive environment.

November 26th, 6pm - 9pm

3D Printed Lithophanes: Personalized Gifts

A lithophane is a three-dimensional image that appears detailed and vivid when backlit. You'll learn how to transform your favorite photos into unique, 3D printed pieces that make perfect gifts. Leave with a beautiful, custom-made gift that captures your cherished memories in a captivating new form.

December 3rd, 6pm - 7pm

Laser Engraving: Personalize a stainless steel tumbler!

Learn how to use our laser engraver to customize stainless steel powder coated or anodized tumblers and water bottles with names, special messages, and simple designs. This hands-on session will teach you the basics of laser engraving and provide you with a beautifully customized gift perfect for the season.

December 5th, 6pm - 8pm

Laser Engraving: Personalize a charcuterie board!

Create unique and personalized gifts in this laser engraving workshop. Learn how to use our laser engraver to customize a slate charcuterie board with names, special messages, and simple designs. This hands-on session will teach you the basics of laser engraving and provide you with a beautifully customized gift perfect for the season.

December 10th, 6pm - 8pm

Laser Engraving: Custom Seasonal Ornaments!

Get into the holiday spirit by designing and creating your own custom seasonal ornaments In this workshop, you'll learn how to use our laser engraver and cutter to make unique ornaments from wood or acrylic. Personalize your ornaments with names, dates, or festive designs to create memorable keepsakes or thoughtful gifts for family and friends.

December 12th, 6pm - 8pm

Check Out What We Can Do for You

Excited Yet?

Exploring the Makerspace Tools

ReEnvision Ag - Resin Parts Landscape 3D printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing, enables the swift creation of prototypes using a diverse range of materials and cutting-edge techniques. The workspace has both Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) and Stereolithography (SLA) printing capabilities for hobbyist and industry alike.

Stands with Phone Experience the power of our carbon dioxide laser cutter, delivering lightning-fast cutting and intricate etching on a vast array of materials. Unlock endless possibilities with the rotary attachment, allowing you to beautifully etch designs on mugs, water bottles, and any cylindrical object you desire.

From the versatility of cardboard to the elegance of slate, our laser cutter effortlessly works with an extensive range of materials, bringing your creative visions to life.

Utilizing our state-of-the-art desktop CNC Mill, we have successfully produced rapid subtractive manufacturing prototypes. This cutting-edge machine, known for its unparalleled precision, is one of the most advanced tools available in our Innovation Workspace. With its ability to mill circuit traces, it opens up endless possibilities for innovation and creativity.

Creating custom decals, product logos, and even shirts has never been easier! Transform your world with our vinyl cutter, whether it is a small sticker for your water bottle or a huge wall sign.

Make your projects come to life with sensors, motors, and coding! Whether you are building a robot, adding LEDs to your laser cut sign, or looking to automate your room, make your projects interact with the world around them!

Maker Access Pass | 3-Month Membership Plans

NIACC Student

FREE!

As a NIACC Student, you are able to access all of the workspace trainings and equipment for FREE! But you will need to pay for the materials you consume.

Access to all tools after a completed safety course
Access the workspace 1-6pm M-F and by appointment
Purchase your own materials as needed

I WANT TO BE A MAKER!

Family

$199

Family memberships allow the whole family to get in on the run of making! Designed for a family of four with the option to add additional children. (+ $69 per additional child)

Access to all tools after a completed safety course
A quarterly supply of materials
Materials: 400g PLA Filament, 300g Gray Resin, 8 sq. ft. Vinyl and Transfer Tape

WE WANT TO BE MAKERS!*

Individual

$139

Individual members get access to all of the workspace tools and trainings, plus a quarterly allotment of materials. You will be charged additionally if you exceed these amounts.

Access to all tools after a completed safety course
Access the workspace 1-6pm M-F and by appointment
Materials: 200g PLA Filament, 100g Gray Resin, 4 sq. ft. Vinyl and Transfer Tape