Make the world a better place by making.
What is Firefly?
An open community work space and education center with the resources to provide education and creative outlets for anyone who wants to learn. We are not yet fully open to the public, but make sure to stay updated with us on this website and on our Facebook for Firefly Hackerspace!
Looking for performers!
Are you awesome at something and in need a venue to show it off your talents? From fire juggling to dubstep artists, our location features an outdoor and indoor stage; click here if you are interested in headlining your talents at Firefly!
Interested in joining?
Want to join our amazing crew? We are looking for talented people with a passion for learning! We are currently seeking a grant writer, wood workers, metal workers, rat rod builders, or anyone who just wants to help us out! Click below to learn more!
Our Mission Statement
Firefly Hackerspace is an open community work space and education center. Our mission is to provide the community with a place to come together to share resources, talent, and knowledge; to offer a venue where creative thoughts and projects may flourish. We will make the world a better place by making.
We empower people by helping them learn how to learn . Every possible technology will be embraced and every student will create and follow their own path. All students will have the tools of autonomy, mastery and purpose.
What is a Hackerspace?
A hackerspace (hackspace, hacklab, makerspace or creative space) is a haven for creative learners. Our open community lab features a workshop, machine shop, a site to build vehicles, wood-working projects, computers, you name it! Basically anything you can create, we will help you find a way to create it. Hackerspaces are wonderful places for those struggling in a textbook-learning environment; our hands-on courses will help you find a learning pattern that works best for you so you can not only gain experience in the present but also accumulate knowledge to achieve your goals in the future. Check out our video to learn more about Firefly and to meet Lance Crain, founder and captain of Firefly!
Becoming a Student:
Open to anyone wanting to learn. Tuition based upon how much you want to take home! Students will work on their own projects, ranging from auto body and fiberglass to ground-up builds and restorations. Centaur 7 kits will be available for those interested in building this kind of car. Go-carts will also be available, ranging from race carts to “Mongoose” style sand rail/ dirt carts with full suspension. Classes will be given based upon demand from students, who otherwise will follow their own direction, with oversight by our experienced staff. Safety will be stressed, but students, not faculty will be the only enforcers of any required safety regulations, beyond signing the mandatory legal waiver(s)
Students will be encouraged to become self sufficient as quickly as possible. This means students will pay for their tuition by working on projects that will make money for themselves or the school directly. Students who have no money and no project of their own will work on school projects and help other students. Some students may only take a class or two, while others will be there full time for many months, working on their own project. Any person who has taken at least one class will have access to the schools facilities. Welding students will make shooting targets, Auto body students will find dented cars in their neighborhood and fix them. Fiberglass students will make Corvette logos to sell at car shows. Electronic students will repair and install home theatre systems. Students will look for apprenticeships regularly. Hot rodders will spend a lot of time in junkyards. Ultimately, we will buy wrecks and sell turnkey cars, which will serve as student portfolios.
Our Vision:
I see a school where
everyone is welcome, a communities knowledge base is widened, tools are available for nearly every job, and no tests are given. A place where anyone with a desire to share their knowledge, on any
subject there is an interest in, can teach, without permission from the State.
Where students are not
trained for a job, but rather trained to be an entrepreneur, to create his or
her own job, wherever he wants to go. Every welder will be aware of his
“billable hours” while every mechanic will have a sense of customer service.
Self reliance might include changing your own oil, and reusing that oil in a
heater you built yourself to heat your shop.
Where new technologies,
especially “green”, sustainable and/or renewable would be encouraged in
practice and theory along side past and present technologies to develop answers
to questions that haven't even been asked yet. For example, students wanting to
know how to restore a vehicle, or build a Hot Rod would have access to present
and past technologies, (in the form of electronic and printed media, and of
course, instructors with this kind of background) but would build their car
with an awareness of not only different suspension setups, but hubless wheels.
Where integration is as
important as taxonomy; math is part of automotive in the same way physics is
part of welding. How much of each subject is taught is based solely upon what
the student wishes to know, in order to complete his own personal quest. All
learning is directed only by each student. If several students desire a
specific instruction, it may justify an engine rebuilding course that covers
measurements, tools, machining and the like, and the amount of math they need
is the amount they get, if more is desired, then they are free to pursue their
own course, but not free to force others to.
Students could build
biodiesel processors and natural gas compressors to run their converted
vehicles, lawn mowers and generators. Simple, lead-acid battery banks might power
the inverters that run the welders, and could be charged by wind turbines and
micro-hydro generators students build from scratch. Patching a hole in drywall
and building a deck could be given as much or little time as replacing a toilet
and soldering copper pipe.
The Crucible started in
1999 with a grant of less than $2,000 and a 6,000 square foot warehouse. I
believe theirs is an excellent model and starting point. Once a successful
program has been set up in Casper, I believe this kind of school would be needed everywhere.
How about a Free FilmFriday?
Movies with relevance (Max Headroom, The Matrix, The Fountainhead,
Serenity, Captain Blood, etc) would be an excellent community outreach,
bringing in new students, new teachers and more donations. Students could make
a Rube Goldberg style popcorn maker, buttered by a device from Willie Wonka.
No Spectators!
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