Members of the University of Wyoming Innovation Network (UWIN) contingent who attended the 2025 Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival pose for a photo. Pictured, from left, are Zane Scott, a Makerspace part-time assistant coordinator; Austin Cassel, a UW student from Rock Springs who graduated in spring 2025; Ben Evers, a UWIN student employee from Timnath, Colo.; and Makerspace Coordinator Jane Crayton. Crayton will take a select group of UWIN student employees to the Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival Saturday, April 18, in Loveland, Colo. (Jane Crayton Photo)
The University of Wyoming Innovation Network (UWIN) will participate in the Rocky
Mountain RepRap Festival Saturday, April 18. This event brings together makers, engineers,
artists and innovators to explore the cutting edge of 3D printing and digital fabrication.
Described as the largest 3D printing showcase in the region, the event will take place
from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Ranch Events Complex, located at 5280 Arena Circle in Loveland,
Colo. A small group of select UW student employees in UWIN will attend, says Jane
Crayton, Makerspace coordinator.
“Students gain exposure to advanced and experimental 3D printing techniques, emerging
tools and the broader maker community,” Crayton says. “The experience supports their
technical development, creativity and ability to bring new ideas and knowledge back
into the makerspaces to support UW patrons.”
The trip is funded through grant support and covers transportation and participation
as part of student staff professional development.
UWIN student employees who will attend are:
-- Doug Bettger, a freshman from Powell majoring in accounting.
-- Chareasa Bettger, a freshman from Powell majoring in elementary education.
-- Iggy Salazar, a junior from Douglas double majoring in physics and astronomy/astrophysics.
-- Ben Evers, a sophomore from Timnath, Colo., double majoring in environmental system sciences and environment and natural resources.
-- Sara Cortes, a junior from Bucaramanga, Colombia, majoring in mathematics.
Zane Scott and Will Gresham, two Makerspace part-time assistant coordinators, also will make the trip, Crayton says.
In addition to attending the festival, UW’s team will actively engage the maker community
through a mobile makerspace game the group brings each year. The game, designed and
built by the Makerspace student employees, is used to connect with festival patrons
while giving away makerspace swag, Crayton says.
In previous years, UWIN students created custom cornhole-style games. This year, Evers developed a new interactive design inspired by coin-drop arcade games, where pieces fall through pins into prize slots.
“As part of this experience, we also design and 3D-print custom coins each year, which serve as the top prize at our booth,” Crayton explains. “This project highlights the creativity, design thinking and hands-on fabrication skills our students develop through the makerspace.”
While in Loveland, the UWIN group also will visit a local makerspace to explore their
equipment, workflows and space design, further supporting staff learning and benchmarking,
Crayton adds.
For more information, call Crayton at (307) 766-2043 or email her at jcrayton@uwyo.edu.
