MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26 / Morson Group STEM Foundation / Maker Space Equipment List / STEM in Action / Student Engagement / Research Communications / Community Outreach
MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
CONTENTS Welcome
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Maker Space Equipment List
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Morson Group Morson Group STEM Foundation Salford Racing + Morson Praxis
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STEM in Action Embedding Maker Space skills into curriculum Aeronautical students’ aircrafts take flight!
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Student Engagement Student Instructor programme Go Beyond Women in STEM programme
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Research Communications Maker Space research collaborations From research prototype to public impact
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Community Outreach Empowering Community through STEM Skills IGNITION Morson Engineering Summer School Primary Engineer Partnership Salford Council’s Next Step Leaving Care Team
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“The Morson Maker Space is open to all students and staff and provides a valuable resource for the University community and a space nowhere else found on campus to experiment with ideas. It’s a remarkable asset.” University Staff
A YEAR IN REVIEW
The success of the Morson Maker Space is reflected in our core ethos - providing an open, accessible and creative environment where students, researchers, academics and industry partners can connect and collaborate. What began as a small desktop-based maker office in 2017 has grown into a 300 m² STEM facility with industry grade machines and tools open to everyone on campus. Now a thriving innovation hub, the Morson Maker Space is proud to highlight some of our successful projects in this annual year end brochure.
This year, we celebrated a decade of collaboration between the University of Salford and Morson Group, a milestone partnership that supports our students and community outreach through initiatives such as the esteemed Gerry Mason Engineering Scholarships and the Morson STEM Foundation. Throughout this journey equitable and inclusive access have remained central, helping participants develop practical skills, build confidence and pursue lifelong STEM learning. Together with Morson Group we aim to inspire Salford talent, strengthen STEM skills and create pathways that widen participation and drive social mobility across our communities. We are proud of the collective impact we make every day. Thank you to everyone who supported us this year, with special thanks to the Maker Space team for leading day-to-day activities, and to Ged Mason, the Mason family and Morson Group for their ongoing support and trust in powering the Morson Maker Space.
Dr. Maria Stukoff Maker Space Director, University of Salford
WELCOME
The Morson Maker Space is a flagship facility for digital fabrication and future fit STEM skills, where curiosity sparks innovation and ideas become reality. Over the past year demand for the facility has risen significantly, producing a record number of training sessions, workshops and activities. New student cohorts have joined the Maker Space for course projects, while our student instructors have expanded delivery of external, community facing opportunities.
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MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
MORSON ENGINE ROOM AND MAKER SPACE EQUIPMENT The Morson Maker Space is a digital fabrication facility for rapid prototyping using industrial‑grade machinery and is supported by skilled technicians. It is equipped with everything from hand tools and craft benches to heavy‑duty machines, offering makers hands‑on experience in design, fabrication, assembly and inspection. MORSON ENGINE ROOM / OMAX Maxiem 1515 Waterjet cutter with a 5-axis head / Hass UMC-500 5-axis milling machine / AXYZ Flat-bed CNC router for full sheet size timber and light metals / Haas ST-15Y CNC lathe with Y axis and live tooling / TIG Welding
3D PRINT HIVE / 16x Bambu Lab 3D Printers / Formlabs Fuse 1 SLS Printing / Anycubic DLP Resin printing / Metal 3D printing (Metal X ADAM) INSPECTION & ELECTRONICS / Electronics development area / Digital and optical microscopes and metrology instruments / Nikon Altera Coordinate Measuring Machine / EinScan Freescan UE Pro 3D scanner / Geomagic Design X
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“Nothing beats a day in the Maker Space - tinkering, experimenting, and making cool stuff happen!” Engineering Student
CRAFT AREA / Brother Heavy Duty Sewing Machine / MiScreen Digital Screen Printer / Roland Vinyl Cutter / T-shirt & Bag Heat Press / Mayku Multiplier Pressure Former / eufyMake UV Printer E1 LASER CUTTING / Epilog Fusion CO2 and fibre laser cutters CAD SUITE / 14 x computer terminals / Software including Autodesk Fusion, Solidworks, and Adobe Creative Cloud
“The Maker Space has helped me develop practical skills that have complemented my degree. I’ve picked up loads of real employability skills by getting involved, which has been invaluable.”
EQUIPMENT LIST
/ Resin & Casting
Engineering Student 05
MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
MORSON GROUP STEM FOUNDATION Building a Legacy in STEM Education
Inspiring Excellence in Future Talent
For more than a decade the University of Salford has partnered with Morson Group and the Mason family to address the national STEM skills gap by combining industry insight with educational excellence. Morson, a global leader in engineering recruitment, consultancy and training, brings sector expertise and real‑world relevance to campus initiatives that prepare the next generation of STEM talent.
Beyond campus, the Morson STEM Foundation amplifies its impact through community outreach: school visits, workshops, internships and training that extend the Maker Space ethos from primary education through to graduate placements. This sustained partnership demonstrates how industry and academia can co‑design opportunities that broaden access, diversify the talent pool, and strengthen the future workforce for engineering and related STEM sectors.
The Morson STEM Foundation supports an inclusive talent pipeline that widens access to STEM opportunities. Central to the Foundation programme are the Gerry Morson Engineering Scholarships and the Maker Space, which delivers measurable benefits: scholarships help students afford study, while the Maker Space trains students on specialist equipment. Morson-funded events boost female participation and bespoke workshops enable young makers to explore STEM pathways. Students consistently report increased confidence, practical skills aligned with employer needs, and stronger career readiness. The Maker Space’s informal, collaborative culture also scores highly on student experience surveys, supporting diverse learning styles.
“It is essential for the future of key growth sectors that we invest in tomorrow’s talent today, which has been the key goal of the Morson STEM Foundation and our partnership with the University of Salford for the past 10 years.” Ged Mason, Executive Chairman, Morson Group
IntoUniversity Charity Education Partner
Gerry Mason Engineering Scholarships
Morson Maker Space The University of Salford
Pathfinders Academy Morson’s Talent Training
Go Beyond Women in STEM Mentoring
Morson STEM Ambassador Programme
Salford Racing Formula Student Society 06
Primary Engineer STEM Partner
SALFORD RACING AIM FOR SILVERSTONE WITH MORSON PRAXIS
For the 2026 season the team gained momentum designing a new racing car while receiving project-delivery training from industry partner Morson Praxis. That support ensured students applied real-world engineering standards and learned vital design-for-manufacture skills from professional engineers, improving build quality, reducing prototype errors, and accelerating production. More than a project, Salford Racing is a vibrant community, a network of peers, staff and industry mentors within the Maker Space ecosystem. Their achievements showcase how experiential learning, expert support and strong industry links accelerate student skillsets and better prepares them for professional engineering careers.
MORSON GROUP
Salford Racing, the University’s Formula Student team, celebrates seven years of collaborating with the Maker Space to design, build and test competition cars from scratch. Every component is conceived and manufactured in-house with specialist guidance from our Maker Space technicians, giving students the experience to operate industry‑standard tools and building practical confidence with every turn of the wheel.
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MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
EMBEDDING MAKER SPACE SKILLS INTO CURRICULUM The Maker Space is transforming digital skills across the University by embedding digital fabrication and hands‑on making into everyday teaching and the wider curriculum. Working closely with course leaders and researchers, the Morson Maker Space has developed customised workshops and projects that reach students across all four schools, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and co‑design practices. We foster a strong sense of belonging where students can work independently, access technical support, and develop skills across technologies and tools from beginner to advanced level, lowering barriers to participation and promoting inclusivity from the outset. This hands-on environment gives students practical experience with industry-standard equipment and prepares them for realworld engineering challenges. The result is a dynamic environment unlike any other on campus: one that embraces diverse perspectives, supports different approaches to learning and making, and empowers everyone at any level to succeed.
School of Science Engineering & Environment
“I absolutely love how friendly, welcoming, and open the Maker Space is. The staff are incredibly supportive and always willing to help. I’ve gained a lot of employability skills through my involvement, which has been invaluable.” Mechanical Engineering Student
School of Arts, Media & Creative Technology
Mechanical Engineering Aeronautical Engineering Foundation Year Engineering Acoustics Physics Climate Change & Sustainability
Criminology Interior Design Graphic Design Creative Writing
Supporting interdisciplinary innovation
MAKER SPACE Integrating digital fabrication and practical skills
School of Health & Society Podiatry Prosthetics & Orthotics 08
Embedding digital fabrication into everyday teaching
Developing practical, project-based learning opportunities
Salford Business School Young Enterprise @Launch Business Incubator
Preparing students with real-world technical skills
STUDENTS AIRCRAFTS TAKE SHAPE IN THE MAKER SPACE Working in teams, students were challenged to design, build and test their own electricpowered UAVs. Working to a set of design constraints including a maximum take-off weight of 2kg and a fixed-wing configuration, students had to build an aircraft from initial concept through to manufacture, assembly and live flight testing, applying the engineering knowledge and skills developed throughout their studies. The Maker Space played a key role throughout the project. Students used our 3D printing facilities to prototype and manufacture many of their components, test and refine designs before final assembly. This led to a variety of innovative designs, from surveillance-focused aircraft to more agile and manoeuvrable UAVs.
Test Flights The project culminated in a series of flight trials in Peel Park. These real-world tests gave students the opportunity to assess performance, stability and control while developing the resilience and adaptability that are essential in engineering. Students spoke highly of the support they received throughout the project: “Our experience using the Maker Space during the design project was quite rewarding and very efficient.” Projects like this demonstrate the value of the Maker Space as a place where students can turn ideas into reality. By designing their own UAVs, students gain practical experience, confidence and industryrelevant skills that prepare them for careers in aerospace and engineering.
“The Maker Space technicians were really helpful providing us with immense 3D printing support helping us to develop practical skills that will be valuable in industry.” Aeronautical Engineering Student
STEM IN ACTION
This year, MSc Aeronautical Engineering students put their classroom learning into practice through an exciting UAV (Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle) design project supported by the Maker Space.
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MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
MAKER SPACE STUDENT INSTRUCTOR PROGRAMME The Student Instructor Programme has grown into one of our most inspiring student initiatives. Each year, talented and enthusiastic makers from across campus step forward to become part of the maker team, supporting their peers in creative and technical projects, and developing leadership, mentoring, and professional skills along the way. Student instructors are the welcoming face of the Maker Space, supporting extended hours and creating more opportunities for hands-on learning and experimentation. They also lead on tours and open days to inspire future applicants to Salford. For the instructors, the programme is a career-enhancing experience, helping them build technical expertise, confidence, and professional skills such as communication and teamwork. More than just a CV booster, the programme allows students to make a meaningful impact in shaping a supportive and inclusive maker culture, strengthening our maker community, and celebrating the power of collaboration and peer-led learning.
“The sessions helped me structure my week. I could stay on campus, get extra work done, and then start my instructor shift in the evening.” Student Instructor
“What can I say about the instructor programme? It’s amazing!” Student Instructor
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Go Beyond is a Women in STEM programme that empowers female students with mentorship, coaching and networking, linking them to professional women across STEM. Now in its fifth year, it provides relatable role models and practical guidance to help students transition from study to work. Each year Go Beyond stages a symposium around International Women’s Day with keynote talks, panels and networking. Participants hear from women at different career stages and disciplines, join peer groups and personaldevelopment sessions, and build industry connections to advance their careers.
Student feedback is consistently positive: attendees value the role models and networking opportunities. Go Beyond is a vital platform for inspiring the next generation of women in STEM and strengthening student–industry ties.
“As someone who champions women in STEM, I recognise the importance of being visible. It is essential that the next generation of young women, see that they do belong in STEM careers.” Natalie-Claire Luwisha, Structural Engineer & Salford University Alumni
GO BEYOND EXPANDS TO DEGREE APPRENTICES! This year Go Beyond added a new Construction and Engineering coaching strand for mixed‑gender apprentices to boost learning and collaboration. The workshop was one of our best‑attended, with glowing student feedback. One attendee said: “Thank you so much for delivering such a great coaching session. It was really engaging.” The positive response proved Go Beyond’s value to a wider student mix while keeping its focus on confidence building and professional development.” The sessions showed strong demand for coaching and employability support among apprentices. More Go Beyond coaching is planned next year for Construction & Engineering, with expanded provision for Health, supporting the University’s employability goals.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
GO BEYOND WOMEN IN STEM
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MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
MAKER SPACE RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS / Civil Engineering: Using Maker Space machines for testing and inspection of graphene infused concrete. Another project applied the CNC turning of 38mm x 250 mm steel retaining pins into tensile test dogbones for comparing the material properties of two types of steel. / Mechanical Engineering: Manufacturing of 3D resinprinted prototype nozzles produced for the Spray Research Group using precise photopolymer layering cured with UV light. / Built Environment: Created custom 3D-printed sensors and rainwater systems for Energy House 2 to monitor ground temperatures. / Acoustics: Created a 1:12 acoustic scale model of Stonehenge using a mixture of 3D printing and specialised moulding offering insights into how sound may have shaped ancient experiences at the monument.
/ Acoustic Innovation Institute: Woodhenge is a neolithic site from around 2,500 BC close to Stonehenge with an artificial forest of around 170 tree trunks. The Maker Space is in the process of making a 1:12 acoustic scale model of the site for the Institute to test how speech would have been altered by the trunks as part of understanding the use of the henge. / Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation: Bionico Hand Project applying CNC machining, waterjet cutting and advanced 3D printing facilities to replicate and evaluate the open-source Bionico prosthetic hand to develop more accessible and affordable assistive technology. / Microbiology: Microbial Puppet Masters creating giant 3D-printed bacteria models to show how phages infect microbes. Open-source 3D-printable phage models were designed, manufactured and user-tested in the Maker Space to make complex microbiology concepts more accessible through hands-on learning workshops.
/ Applied Ecology: Created a 3D wildlife map and drone workshop bringing radiation science and biodiversity research to life.
/ Life Sciences: Designed and 3D printed prosthetic flippers to restore injured sea turtle mobility and Golden Mantela frogs to test mimicry in field studies.
/ Robotics and Tooling: Supporting a novel prosthetic ankle with advanced electromechanical control.
/ Health Sciences: Supporting cutting-edge prosthetics and orthotics research, developing devices leading to patented designs that enhance mobility, rehabilitation, and quality of life for users.
/ Human Geography Agritech: Supported the use of FarmBot for the Living Laboratory - research bringing robotics into urban farming.
/ Music Technology: Assisting with 3D printing and scanning methods to digitise violin makers’ templates from the 1700s, helping to preserve historical artefacts.
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The Morson Maker Space’s strong record of partnering with Salford researchers is demonstrated by the many projects we support that translate complex research into tangible outcomes. Researchers collaborate with Maker Space technicians to visualise ideas through prototypes, props, installations and interactive workshops, making science tactile, engaging communities, and accelerating impact while building trust and inspiring future innovators. The Bionico Hand is one notable research project developed in the Maker Space this year.
Bionico Hand
Driving Interdisciplinary Innovation
The Bionico Hand is an open‑source project developing accessible, low‑cost bionic prosthetic hands. Founded by Nicolas Huchet in Rennes after he lost his hand in 2002, the initiative uses 3D printing and collaborative making to create affordable, repairable prostheses that can be reproduced worldwide.
The Bionico project demonstrates how the Maker Space supports interdisciplinary, research‑led innovation. By combining engineering expertise, industry‑standard equipment and collaborative practice, the facility helps move projects from concept to working prototypes that can be demonstrated, iterated and shared for wider social benefit.
Mick Prince, a PGR researcher in the Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation at Salford, used the Morson Maker Space to test whether Bionico’s open-source designs could be reliably replicated and improved. In the Maker Space he produced aluminium and stainless‑steel parts on the CNC mill and lathe, cut steel with the waterjet, and fabricated components across multiple 3D‑printing systems, including SLS. High‑precision machining on the Haas UMC‑500 5‑axis mill allowed intricate geometries and robust mechanical structures for the prosthetic hand.
Photo credit - ETH ZURICH/CYBATHLON/ NicolaPitaro
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
FROM RESEARCH PROTOTYPE TO PUBLIC IMPACT
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MORSON MAKER SPACE HIGHLIGHTS 25/26
EMPOWERING COMMUNITY STEM LEARNING The Morson STEM Foundation outreach programme aims to ignite curiosity and create practical pathways into STEM for young people across Greater Manchester. Hands‑on initiatives range from an engineering summer school, delivering workshops for the IntoUniversity charity to hosting Primary Engineer lessons with industry expertise. These outreach programmes help raise awareness of STEM education and remove barriers to participation. Community outreach matters because access to STEM should be inclusive: it strengthens local talent pipelines, supports social mobility and connects students with real opportunities. By investing in young people, the University and the Foundation help turn curiosity into capability.
“The Maker Space feels like a genuine open and explorative experience, and its nice to be able to learn new things especially if the technology has never been on my radar before.” Next Step Participant
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FEEDBACK FROM TEACHERS HIGHLIGHTS:
100%
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Interacting with an engineer had a positive impact on pupil engagement
The programme helped pupils to understand that engineering is important
Primary Engineer is a not-for-profit connecting pupils and teachers with engineering businesses, skills and technology. For four years, the Morson STEM Foundation partnered with Primary Engineer, reaching thousands of pupils across Greater Manchester and connecting schools with Morson STEM Ambassadors. A new three-year partnership, commencing in 2026, is now underway, providing Greater Manchester teachers with training, resources and support to deliver hands-on rail engineering STEM projects. Pupils build model vehicles, supported by Morson STEM Ambassadors, and take part in celebration events connecting them with real engineers and career pathways. The partnership combines industry expertise with accessible engineering activities to develop pupils’ skills, curiosity and awareness of future careers.
IGNITION: MORSON’S ENGINEERING SUMMER SCHOOL IGNITION introduces aspiring engineers to university life at Salford through a two-and-a-half-day programme culminating in a team challenge to design and build remote-controlled racing cars. A widening participation programme for up to 30 Year 12 students, IGNITION takes place in the Morson Maker Space. Students work with Salford Racing to fit wheels to a full-size Formula Student car, then design and build their own vehicles using 3D printers, laser cutters and electronic tools. They develop practical skills in automotive systems and digital fabrication while managing timelines, collaborating and refining designs with technical support. Industry speakers, including Jon Callahan and Chris Summers, Head of Engineering at Morson Praxis, share insights into engineering careers and real-world motorsport applications. Feedback highlights the value of using advanced equipment, working collaboratively, meeting industry professionals and gaining an authentic insight into studying engineering at the University of Salford.
OPENING DOORS FOR COMMUNITY ACTION Deepening civic engagement, the Morson Maker Space has partnered with Salford City Council’s Next Step Leaving Care Team, supporting care-experienced young people transitioning to independent adulthood. Care-experienced young people take part in hands-on workshops introducing creative technologies and providing a positive university experience. Participants design and produce personalised tote bags using digital design software, vinyl cutting and heat-pressing, experiencing the full design-to-manufacture process and taking home a finished product. For many, this is their first exposure to digital fabrication and technologies that may otherwise feel inaccessible. By combining creative digital making with higher-education experiences, the programme aims to raise aspirations, build confidence and strengthen links between the University and local young people. It supports our Civic University commitment to making opportunities to create, learn and innovate accessible to all.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
PRIMARY ENGINEER PARTNERSHIP
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CONTACT US MAKER SPACE School of Science, Engineering & Environment SEE Building University of Salford Manchester M5 4QJ makerspace@salford.ac.uk https://makerspace.salford.ac.uk/