About 1st Maker Space
By providing makerspaces and engaging hands-on lesson plans, we help students discover a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime. With licensed educators on our team, we design spaces and resources that reflect real classroom needs and inspire curiosity every day.
Every service is designed to spark curiosity, collaboration, and career-ready skills.
We design, build, and support makerspaces with training, lesson plans, and ongoing resources.
Our team includes licensed educators who understand classroom needs and student engagement.
Grow With Us
Are you passionate about hands-on learning and future-ready education? 1st Maker Space offers franchising opportunities for leaders who want to bring STEM education to life in their community. Click below to learn how you can help shape the future of education.
Our Mission
Learning cannot be elevated by physical space alone. Our team brings together licensed teachers, engineers, designers, and content experts to support every aspect of maker education. Along with building custom makerspaces, we provide the training and resources schools need to bring STEM learning to life.
Kim Brand is an Indianapolis-born entrepreneur who has started and grown many technology companies since graduating from IUPUI in 1975 with a degree in mechanical engineering technology. In 2013 he co-founded an industrial 3D printing company named 3D Parts Mfg. He aims to bring shop class back to schools and enthusiasm for learning back to classrooms.
He is on the board of EmployIndy and chairs their Youth Committee. He is a member of the Indianapolis Rotary Club and an adjunct professor of Informatics at IUPUI’s School of Informatics and Computing. In the past, Kim served as the technical editor for two maker-relevant “For Dummies” books: 3D Printing for Dummies, 2nd Edition, and Fabrication for Dummies which is soon to be published.
Adam Brand, an Indianapolis native and resident maker, started a web design business immediately out of high school and went on to design websites and web applications for hundreds of Indiana companies. From there, he has participated in founding multiple companies from marketing to manufacturing.
As an avid DIYer and skilled craftsman, Adam has never shied away from taking on the most ambitious of maker challenges. He now designs and manufactures most of our maker furniture in the 1st Maker Space shop as Vice President of Operations.
Amber leads the curriculum development and professional development for 1st Maker Space. Amber spent over twenty years teaching upper elementary in Hamilton Southeastern Schools. During her tenure, she taught a variety of subjects, but fell in love with STEM. She created a classroom makerspace, at the cusp of the maker movement, that was collaborative, problem-based and student driven. Her classroom maker projects gained the attention of Mayor Scott Fadness of Fishers, IN, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and Congresswoman Susan Brooks.
Amber has an M. Ed. in Curriculum Development and has a passion for developing curriculum and designing lessons that engage students with hands-on learning.
With 18 years of teaching experience, a BS in Business Administration, and a MS in Elementary Education, Rachel helps bridge the gap between operations and sales at 1st Maker Space. Rachel understands the value of student engagement in their learning and is excited to join a company that brings hands-on learning nationwide.
With over 20 years in education, Chad brings deep expertise in STEM education, instructional design, and innovative learning environments to his role at 1st Maker Space. His career spans classroom teaching, district leadership, higher education accreditation, and national STEM certification coaching. With degrees in elementary education, STEM Leadership, STEM Education, and Instructional Technology, he is committed to supporting partners in creating dynamic, future-ready learning spaces that empower students and build sustainable pathways from school to workforce.
A business development and sales executive with more than 25 years’ experience in selling branded audio coupled with engineered products and services, Gary as COO, leads The Audio of Things global sales and operations. Since 2002, he led the global sales effort at MWM Acoustics, a microphone and audio transducer component design and supply company, where he forged profitable relationships with world class leaders in telecommunications, automotive, industrial, computing and mobile markets. Gary supports the 1st Maker Space Team by supporting community makerspace projects and logistics.
Bri Wagner brings a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and nine years of classroom teaching experience to her role at 1st Maker Space. A former Teacher of the Year Award recipient, Bri is passionate about creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire student success. She understands the impact that innovative instruction and meaningful classroom resources can have on student achievement and is dedicated to partnering with educators to bring high-quality STEM solutions into classrooms. Bri is committed to empowering teachers and helping students develop the creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to thrive.
Haley is a woodworker, and metalworker and currently manufactures and fabricates the furniture for 1st Maker Space. Haley is a lifelong maker and self starter and will take on any skill through the help of the internet. They received a BA in Studio Art from Cornell College in 2018 and started transitioning into a career in making. Their interests outside of work include playing bass in their band, supporting the local music scene, food justice activism and dreaming about new projects to take on.
Cara keeps an eagle eye on all the moving parts involved with the delivery and setup of a makerspace for our clients. With a BA in Fashion Design and time spent as a local chalk artist, she understands the innate desire in all of us to create. She’s a maker of the “old school” variety who enjoys any endeavor that tests one’s precision and challenges fine motor skills, such as sewing, hand-written typography, and cake decorating.
Cara is excited to be a part of the 1st Maker Space team, where she’ll learn new technological tricks to enhance her future creative projects. More importantly, she can be a part of cultivating the maker spirit in the next generation.
Ballew Moving LLC has been a trusted partner of 1st Maker Space for years, providing reliable and professional delivery services for our makerspaces, equipment, and furniture. With over 27 years of experience in the moving industry, Ballew Moving LLC has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Their team of skilled professionals takes great care in handling our valuable resources, ensuring that every item arrives at its destination in perfect condition.
As a company that designs and provides makerspaces, high-quality furniture, and STEM curriculum, we at 1st Maker Space understand the importance of having a dependable delivery partner. Ballew Moving LLC’s dedication to careful handling and timely deliveries has been instrumental in our mission to create dynamic, interactive learning environments for students.
