Rub the Rock

Howard’s Rock, the Clemson football team’s good luck charm since 1966, is known for being an exclusive and protected object. Former Clemson football coach Frank Howard, for whom the rock is named, once said, “If you’re going to give me one hundred and ten percent, you can rub that rock. If you’re not, keep your filthy hands off of it.” Sealed under a glass shield and locked behind a gate, not many people outside of the team have a chance to touch it. This year, the Development and Assessment of Makerspace Standard Operating Procedures Creative Inquiry project, led by Dr. Todd Schweisinger from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Kelsey Sheaffer from the Clemson University Libraries, decided to change that.

The Creative Inquiry team initiated a successful partnership with Clemson Athletics to create a 3D replica of Howard’s Rock. This collaboration will strengthen the university brand and help promote Makerspace capabilities and Athletics’ support of students. “By bringing this artifact to the Makerspace, we’re making it accessible, where everybody can come in and rub Howard’s Rock if they’re going to give a hundred and ten percent on their course, research or personal projects,” Schweisinger said. The team hopes the replica will increase the Makerspace’s visibility across campus and encourage more students to take an interest in its tools.

The Makerspace currently provides any student, faculty or staff member with access to technologies such as 3D-printers and scanners, embroidery and textiles processing equipment, laser cutters and other electronics. With the addition of new technologies and equipment, the Creative Inquiry team is researching the best procedures to improve the culture and practices within the Makerspace. To do this, the team is identifying problems and finding answers to questions regarding safety requirements, student accessibility and overall productivity of the space.

Emily Petty, a junior mechanical engineering major, has been in the Creative Inquiry project since 2019 and now serves as the team’s student leader. She explains that the Makerspace can be a bit daunting for new visitors. “When people see the Makerspace, they’re pretty intimidated because there’s a bunch of people doing their own thing. But, if you see [the Howard’s Rock replica], you’re going to want to go inside and touch it,” Petty said. Rylee Rollins, a sophomore materials science and engineering major agreed, remembering her first experience in the space. “I’ve never used the Makerspace before this year. I was scared to go into the Watt Center and use the machinery. This Creative Inquiry forced me to get over that fear…Now that I actually have experience working with 3D printing, I feel very confident using it,” she said. Rollins’ first 3D-printed object was a frog guiro that makes a croaking sound when stroked with a stick. While Rollins was making a frog just for fun, she learned that they are commonly used for elementary-aged children learning about music and percussion. Schweisinger adds that these learning tools help start secondary projects and draw in other majors to the Makerspace and the Creative Inquiry project. “Music and elementary education are rare in the Makerspace, so we say, ‘Hey, let’s see if we can bring these [and other] majors in.’ We are always looking for these types of connections,” he said.

Whether it takes an iconic rock or a 3D printer, introducing students to the Makerspace technologies can open up an array of opportunities and possibilities for their coursework, research and personal projects. Through their research and outreach, the team hopes to develop and implement a safe set of standard operating procedures, adhering to university culture and requirements, to invite new students in and train them to make the most of our Makerspace.