The Maker Movement is a rapidly moving development towards non-traditional education through hands-on creation of technological artifacts, indicating tremendous potential for attracting previously marginalized groups underrepresented in science and technology fields. The movement is compellingly situated as the intersection of an expansive array of interdisciplinary efforts and thus equipped to be leveraged by women and girls who are more likely to originate from artistic and creative backgrounds. Women who make are severely underrepresented in all documented embodiments of the maker movement, including maker media, events, and tangible collaborative spaces. This study explores the possibilities of removing barriers to entry into making for women by converging upon the narrow focus of online makerspaces, engaging with the denizens of the space, and scrutinizing the manner in which they participate in the broader maker community. The timeliness of this probe into women’s personal engagement with science and technology making is indicated by the convergence of discussion surrounding the underrepresentation of women in STEM and approaches to increasing accessibility through making as a natural point of entry.

2. What is Making?

3. Making: (n)
The act of creating
something
Soldering
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
Electronics
Programming
Fabricating

4. Kansas City Maker Faire (
Library Makerspac

5. Makezine
hackaday
Instructables

6. Methods

7. Site examination database
survey interviews

8. findings

9. Makezine
hackaday
instructables
85% male
15% female
87% male
13% female
68% male
32% female

10. 38 24 31
23 30 13

11. Technologists
crafters

12. Technologists PRACTICES
Soldering
3D Printing
Laser Cutting
Programming
Woodworking
85% male, 15% female
Income
Education
Occupation
<$25,000 <$25,000
Bachelor’s Bachelor’s
MEN WOMEN
Students, engineers,
designers

13. Technologists
Female technologists displayed more confidence
Technology projects were practice driven
Female technologists are more aware of the expense
associated with making
Technologists prefer to collaborate with others

14. crafters PRACTICES
Jewelry Making
Sewing
Drawing
Paper Craft
Knitting
Cooking
52% male, 48% female
Income
Education
Occupation
$25,000-
$50,000
$50,000-
$100,000
Bachelor’s Bachelor’s
Students, teachers,
designers, self-employed,
artists
MEN WOMEN

15. crafters
Female crafter displayed less confidence
Crafting projects were purpose driven
Crafters prefer to work on their own

16. Values & Reasons
Crafters and women value sustainability, reuse, and
repurposing
Crafters and women value self-expression
Everyone uses Instructables to learn skills, share skills,
and have fun
Women use participate more often for social reasons

17. Available at
bit.ly/MakingGender