Rover Table

Numerous studies have shown an overwhelming positive response to project – based learning and makerspaces, including a survey reporting 80 -89% of high school students in maker programs showed greater levels of effort, enjoyed their time, saw the value of the skills learned, and attended more class. However, the total startup cost for creating a makerspace program today is out of reach of many schools with furnishings alone costing over $50,000.00. In addition, the physical space isnt always available in existing schools to dedicate for this activity. Maker tables typically require large amounts of space for students to explore and create and are often fixed in place. Our mission became to create a cost-effective way, without compromising the space needed, to provide all the benefits of a makerspace by bringing the maker table to the students. When schools move to a student-centered curriculum and making becomes part of the classroom experience students can get up, inquire, collaborate, create, and take control of their learning. In real time! The Rover Table is the first full-size maker table that can be easily shared, bringing equity and access to every student. Starting with our original sketches the design team spent over a year researching, prototyping, and engineering the Rover Table. Single person flipping operation and deployment was paramount for success. The design team created numerous full-scale prototypes to test the ease of an over 150-pound tabletop while making it completely safe from tipping or pinching fingers. With an all-steel open frame design that accommodates 6 stacking stools, multiple storage module options, integrated power, and a top that easily lifts and retracts to fit through a standard 30 doorway, The Rover Table removes the limitations that dedicated makerspaces have had in the past.