FIZ Pop-up

Wood longboard painted black with a crimson WSU Cougar emblem and crimson wheels.

Micah Peyron wanted a longboard skateboard.

But, instead of buying one, she made it.

Now, she and other students are teaching each other important skills for their own projects, such as how to use band saws, sanders, drills, laser cutters, and 3-D printers, through the Frank Innovation Zone (FIZ).

Micah Peyron wearing safety glasses and using a belt sander.
Micah Peyron sands her longboard in Voiland College’s makerspace, the Frank Innovation Zone (FIZ).

Peyron learned about FIZ through her husband, Louis Peyron, a senior in mechanical engineering. When she saw some of the cool, do-it-yourself projects that other students were doing, she wanted to join in. The FIZ provides WSU students from any major with space and equipment for hands-on activities that are not found in the typical curriculum – as long as they adhere to the strict safety conditions. The Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture’s Executive Leadership Board provides financial support for the program’s materials and equipment.

“At first I was scared to attempt building my own board just because I have always had a fear for woodworking. That is mainly the reason I picked this project,” said Micah Peyron. “I wanted to become familiar with the tools and see what amazing projects I could create in my quest for woodworking. I will say my board turned out way better than I could have ever imagined.”

Soon after she built her own, Peyron was asked by Kirk Reinkens, FIZ director, to teach a four-week pop-up class. These short workshops let students teach each other hands-on skills and information about equipment, including standard woodshop tools, for their own projects. The students don’t receive college credit, but they are given the chance to learn design thinking and skills. A total of 14 students participated in Peyron’s workshop.

“There was so much innovation happening,” said Peyron. “It was great seeing so many different shapes and styles being put into the longboards.”

“This was the perfect opportunity to have students get familiar with our woodshop and with our makerspace,” she added.

The Peyrons will teach the class again this semester. Open to all majors, the workshop includes a $40 fee.

Frank Innovation Zone

To learn more about the FIZ or find or suggest more pop-up classes, please visit the FIZ Facebook page or contact Kirk Reinkens, FIZ director, at reinkens@wsu.edu.