Area 01
Beginning at Area 01
Lucky, or, unlucky for me, right across the courtyard from Terry is Maple, and Maple is home to Area 01 Community Center. It has a lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, soldering irons, a kiln, tools, and more. The unfortunate part is that as much as Area 01 can be an enhancement to student learning, it is another one of UW's many "non-academic" "distractions", which also include RSOs, the IMA, Dawg Daze, sports events, etc. For someone like me who is very easily distracted, it is a bit painful to have Area 01 and its equipment so close by.
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I did a brief laser cutting workshop during the year, but other wise I did not have a chance to use the dabble lab during Autumn quarter. I finally got to use it for the first time at the end of Autumn quarter--the day after my finals were over. I was in the 3D printing lab for many hours, and the next day, hours more. I used a beginners' modeling program to model a bear for my dad's birthday, as well as to personalize Christmas tree ornaments for my friends. Derrick, the lab technician helped me get started. Although my high school robotics team had two 3D printers, I never really knew how to use them by myself. After Derrick's help I was able to go through the process on my own as well as explain it to others, which I would do in the future. It just so happens that I also got offered a job that day. It took me a few brief seconds to realize my good luck--being offered a job was much much better than having to apply for one.
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Here is the link to the modeling program I used--it's so easy, anyone can learn it within a few minutes!
3D models made by others can be found at Thingiverse
Work
I did not really expect to get a job my first year, but I figured the opportunity was too good to pass. I worked there Winter and Spring quarters. Just like any job it had its enjoyable moments and its frustrating ones. I could not sustain my job there for very long because academics are a priority, and I just do not have the brain capacity to put work first, which is what must be done, especially in a job involving customer service. The most exciting thing that happened while I was working was when a student dropped a battery or battery charger, and it burst into flames. Luckily, someone happened to have left a small cup of water near the desk, and a new hire calmly used that water to put out the fire.