Zoleigh Borg’s Official Maker Portfolio

Hi, I’m Zoleigh

I’m a Makerspace Technician, Researcher, and Beekeeper based in Boston, MA!

Bio

Zoleigh is a current Northeastern student pursuing a BS in Social Work and a Minor in Writing. She currently works at Northeastern’s Makerspace at EXP and The Possible Zone, both Boston-based makerspaces, where she’s developed a wide array of maker skills in design, construction, welding, and so much more. In her free time, she’s a dedicated beekeeper, bird watcher, and risograph print maker.

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About Me

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Research

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Teaching Experience

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Documentation and Tutorials

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Personal Research

Makerspaces and Play: The Value of Play in Higher Education Makerspaces (2025)

This 5 month research project explored the value of play-based learning and maker-based learning, making strong cross comparisons between the learning models. The study examined both past literature and a case study on Northeastern’s Makerspace at EXP, where informal interviews coupled with observational research found that many elements of play-based learning unintentionally and organically presented themselves in the space.

The research was presented at the Undergraduate Research Conference, RISE, at Northeastern University.

Making Space for Whom: DEI, Design, and Democracy in EXP Makerspace

This ongoing thesis project expands upon past research and delves deeper into the value of DEI in makerspace education. The paper examines examples of DEI in makerspaces, finding large gaps in the literature. The case study of EXP Makerspace shows how students and faculty experience belonging in an interdisciplinary makerspace, and aims to find recommendations that may apply to other academic makerspaces around the globe.

The research was presented at the Undergraduate Research Conference, RISE, at Northeastern University.

Teaching Experience

EXP Makerspace and CAMD Makerspace

Over the past 2 years, I have conducted several dozen RISO training sessions across Northeastern University. These trainings have ranged from 1-2 students to entire classes of 20+. My RISO experience has led me to run training sessions for both EXP staff and CAMD professors.

I have helped over a hundred students, faculty, and staff learn how to make impressive multi-color prints using different design techniques and tools.

My basic RISO training covers everything from RISO basics, switching drums, installing drivers, basic color separation, basic Photoshop, registering, and making a duo-tone print. I have also conducted advanced trainings where I go through machine maintenance, 3 and 4 color printing, and using the RISO to make a screen for screen printing.

The Possible Zone

Deep Dives

Deep Dives are 1-2 week-long intensive classes where students over summer, fall, or spring breaks engage in full-day instruction using practical skills to grow their knowledge and make interesting products

Dance and Costume Design

This Deep Dive focused on the history of costumes across African American culture, exploring popular music stars, The Oz, and a local Black-Owned dance studio. Over 2 weeks, students created their own dance, designed their own costumes, and performed for the entire facility. I assisted during general instruction, ran a cyanotype workshop where students created their own fabric cyanotype prints to build into their costumes, bedazzling, basic sewing, and dance.

Music Machines

This Deep Dive explored using microBit and basic Python coding to use selenoids to hit various glass and metal objects to create different beats that were then used to create an orchestra of music at a final presentation. I assisted with circuitry, wiring, and debugging code.

Lights and Bytes

This Deep Dive used Adobe Illustrator along with the Glowforge and Trotec laser cutters to create students’ custom lampshades. Students also wired their lamps and programmed them to be either voice-activated or sensor-activated. I assisted in the laser cutting process, troubleshooting Illustrator files and helping students format them for the laser. Then, I helped students actually cut a panel of their design using a Glowforge to demonstrate the tools in real time.

Launch Labs

Cardboard Architects

This 10-week Launch Lab focused on using cardboard and 3D printed pieces to construct real putt-putt holes that students could play at the end of the course. The program was after school for 2 hours, with a Monday/Wednesday class and a Tuesday/Thursday class from mid-September through November. I led sharps safety and TinkerCad training sessions. For TinkerCAD, I demonstrated the process from design to print and helped students troubleshoot design flaws. During the course, I also assisted with a field trip to a putt-putt course for the Monday/Wednesday class, with 20 students. Towards the end of the course, I taught students about spray-painting safety, including how to use a respirator, and chaperoned them in the spray booth.

Open Studio

Felt Garlands

This 5-person workshop taught students basic Cricut and handsewing skills. I showed students the basics of Cricut Design Space and oversaw the creation of their designs. When they were ready to cut, I helped them pick their felt colors and set up the cut. After the cut, students strung their pieces together to create a beautiful garland design.

Documentation for this workshop is below.

Stained Glass Butterflies

This 4-person workshop ran 2 times and was a crash course on soldering. Butterfly kits were given to students, and students learned the history of stained glass while preparing their glass for soldering. I explained soldering safety in depth before students were given the opportunity to solder their own glass butterflies together. I carefully observed students to ensure solder was safely contained and helped students with soldering techniques. All students left with a hanging butterfly stained glass piece and a deeper understanding of soldering.

Documentation for this workshop is below

Independent Studio Time

Independent studio time was a chance for students to work on whatever project they desired. Over 9 months, I have helped troubleshoot projects such as sewing a custom hoodie, to laser cutting a name plate for a wall, to bedazzling nametags, to so, so much more. Independent studio time allows me to use all my maker skills to help students in whatever ways their projects require.

Paper Lanterns

This project teaches basic Adobe Illustrator skills, along with how to use the Zund, an industrial router for materials from paper to hardwood. I assisted Sam, who led this workshop, in teaching students how to design Illustrator files using the given template. After design troubleshooting with me, Sam, showed students how to use the Zund to create their lanterns. After which, I showed techniques for putting the entire piece together.

Project Portfolio

Projects

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Direct to Garment Printing

Fall 2023-Winter 2026

Vintage Microphone Prop

Do Rooftops Touch the Sky

Stained Glass Butterflies

Documentation and Tutorials

Disclaimer! This documentation is part of a broader library of work belonging to TPZ. Many of these tutorials are base level, but all rely on the context of other documentation not created by me. All of the below documentation is my independent work.

Documentation

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