MINNEAPOLIS — From sewing machines to 3D printers, makerspaces at the University of Minnesota provide students with a vast array of opportunities for creation and collaboration, and the Minnesota Student Association is pushing to make them available to more students.

Makerspaces are workshops that provide tools and equipment used to build projects and encourage hands-on learning. MSA drafted a resolution showing its support for makerspaces on campus, and suggesting the university make them accessible to all students. The resolution also asks the university to form a committee dedicated to funding makerspaces that are unrestricted by school or major, the Minnesota Daily reported.

MSA At-Large Representative Kate Kuehl said she hopes it will help garner awareness for makerspaces, which are often underutilized by students.

Kuehl emphasized benefits of the spaces and said hands-on projects can help with stress-relief.

“I really love the makerspace movement because it basically says sewing and welding are (both) valid forms of making,” Kuehl said. She added that many people often think sewing and welding are specific to a certain gender.