Scripps Sandbox Makerspace

Two women look at the screen of a laptop in a workshop in the Scripps Sandbox Makerspace.
Photo by Erik Jepsen / UC San Diego

Visit the Scripps Sandbox Makerspace website

The Scripps Sandbox Makerspace, nestled within the Hydraulics Laboratory, offers a shared environment for creativity and innovation, equipped with a blend of traditional tools, digital design software, rapid prototyping technologies, and test facilities. Emphasizing marine and earth sciences, this space serves as an educational playground where hands-on experimentation and creative problem-solving come to life.

Our mission is to create a collaborative space that fosters communication among diverse groups and research disciplines, supporting the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers. The Sandbox will:

  • Enhance Education: Support Scripps graduate and undergraduate teaching, mentoring, and self-guided exploration of new technologies through SIO courses, makerspace-run workshops, and one-on-one training.
  • Foster Collaboration: Provide advanced equipment and facilities for shared use by Scripps students, staff, and faculty, promoting interdisciplinary engagement.
  • Build Connections: Strengthen educational ties across Scripps departments as well as with the broader UC San Diego campus as part of the COLLAB infrastructure.

The Scripps Sandbox Makerspace leverages the unique capabilities of the Hydraulics Laboratory, integrating decades of expertise in oceanography with cutting-edge tools. Through individual research, exploratory learning, and student projects, we aim to support current research and train the future leaders in marine and earth sciences.