Hacking Club Joins PSU

Connor Smith

For the Clock

cmsmith17@plymouth.edu

Plymouth State University is happy to embrace a club that has just started this semester. Jess Sullivan is the president of the newly founded Hacking Club. This club works mainly with engineering technology to help people learn how to use the more advance technology that Plymouth State has to offer, such as the 3D printer or the editing software in the library. Anyone who has any project ideas involving subjects like architecture, art, graphic design, etc. can use this club to help to put their ideas into action. Jess says that the point of the club is to “enable people with tools, resources and knowledge to fulfill projects that they may be interested in doing yet not necessary know how to start.”

Since Hacking Club was organized so recently, they are not an officially recognized club at Plymouth State at this time. Therefore, they have been working with other groups in order to have workspaces. In the past they have used the Makers Space in Nashua. Though they may not yet have the funds to start exploring what they specifically want to accomplish, they have found ways to still keep continuing their projects.

There will also be the opportunity to attend a workshop here in Plymouth. Hacking Club is planning on having a workshop with Mark Anderson, the manager of building general maintenance & construction for the physical plant. Mr. Anderson will be teaching students how to use a variety of machinery to make items. The physical plant’s primary goal is to maintain the University’s facilities and grounds to readily support the academic mission of the University.

One specific machine that the Hacking Club will have access to is a vinyl cutter. This is a computer-controlled machine, resembling computer printers. The computer controls the movement of a sharp blade which is used to cut out shapes and letters from sheets of thin self-adhesive plastic. This is a great tool to be able to help make really careful art or words on most material items. This tool is not usually available to students, but will be made accessible to the Hacking Club when they go to this workshop.

For anyone who’s interested in beginning their own creative projects, this is a great club to help you learn even if you do not have any experience in the field. Emphasis is placed on helping anyone learn how to make what they want in way that fits their style.

It’s only a matter of time until everything is finalized with the Student Senate and Hacking Club will become an official club of Plymouth State. The meeting times are at 2:00pm on Mondays in the computer lab in the library.