Fsu Ken Baldauf Arts Sciences College of Program in Interdisciplinary Computing
Two years ago, the start floor of 142 Collegiate Loop opened its doors and welcomed Florida Country students into the new "Innovation Hub." The brilliant and fresh environment contains whatsoever and all resources for creative juices to flow. The man behind the idea for the Innovation Hub is director, Ken Baldauf.
The Chicago native went on to attend university in Kentucky. He graduated from Morehead State Academy with a degree in music theory. After obtaining his degree, Ken moved back to Chicago to teach music in a private music school while too performing in a band. "The band kind of took over my time. We were doing a lot of traveling. The band got an agent and we started getting good bookings all over the place." Eventually, the ring reached a betoken where Ken believed information technology wasn't going to continue on much further. "I'm never going to brand enough money to support a family. On top of which, it'south a rough lifestyle."
Subsequently, Ken reconnected with a college classmate who was residing in Tallahassee, FL, and teaching music. After visiting Tallahassee, Ken decided he actually liked it here and moved from the Windy City to Florida's uppercase city. He began his Tallahassee journey teaching music to kids at Stubbs' Music Centre. Around that fourth dimension, personal computers were beginning to become more widespread and Ken began exploring that world. "In that location was this software chosen 'Cakewalk' that immune yous to create musical parts and hear them played on instruments." Ken's strong interest in computers led him to enroll in a certificate program at Florida Country University that integrated his love of music and his marvel surrounding computers. "The mother of one of my students told me about the informatics department at FSU and said I should talk to someone there to see if I desire to go back to school." Ultimately, Ken decided to enroll at FSU to pursue a master's in computer science. When he completed his degree, Ken was set to explore the task market of programmers when the university offered him a teaching position he accepted.
Ken spent about 12 years in the estimator science department when he was asked to straight the program of interdisciplinary computing. Information technology was here that the idea for the Innovation Hub was built-in. "When I was the manager of interdisciplinary computing, I got into 3D printing and makerspace. I bought my first 3D printer nearly 7 years ago and I was 3D printing all of the time. At the aforementioned time, VR was really taking off. The HTC Vive was released at an affordable toll, so I bought one of those. We began experimenting with a variety of emerging technologies. I thought 'Wouldn't it be cool if we had a makerspace where people could 3D print and use virtual reality systems?'" Ken began pitching his idea to the FSU provost who immediately jumped on board with his vision, already searching for the Innovation Hub's forever home. At the time, Ken was pitching the championship of his idea as the "Innovation Heart" until a Google search revealed that name has been used all over the place. "I thought I coined that term! It was so common that there were workshops on creating on-campus Innovation Centers."
The provost sent Ken to a workshop at Xavier University, habitation to the beginning MakerBot Innovation Heart at a private university. At the workshop, Ken was introduced to "Design Thinking," a concept that takes place quite frequently at the Hub. "I realized it wasn't this rack of 3D printers, it was this process that transpired within the space, creating new ideas and solving issues. Subsequently that, I had Design Thinking companies come to FSU to run Blueprint Thinking workshops for faculty hither. That's when the focus for the Innovation Hub shifted from just a makerspace to a collaborative environment."
Walking into the Hub can be intimidating for some. Between stormtrooper suits being 3D printed to VR robots rolling around, there is always and then much going on and tin be a sensory overload. I asked Ken what he'd say to the students who desire to come in just may not know where to outset. "Just come and hang out. It's a place to become to know other people who are also creative and innovative. We accept workshops for 3D printing, laser engraving and vinyl cutting taking place all of the time, but I retrieve it'due south of import for students to just come and sympathize the vibe hither. Talk to people who are printing. Come across what they are doing. Everybody hither is friendly."
Be sure to terminate past the Innovation Hub, whether it'due south to report with friends or play VR games!
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Source: https://www.hercampus.com/school/fsu/meet-ken-baldauf-founder-and-director-innovation-hub/
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