Vector Space

Written by: Chelsea Tinklenberg
For several semesters, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with Vector Space—bringing my sculpture students into the metal shop to learn basic fabrication skills. What often begins as an introduction to tools and processes grows into something much bigger: a shift in confidence, a willingness to try, and a recognition that these tools—and this kind of making—are for everyone.

For eight years, Vector Space has proudly produced Maker Faire Lynchburg, bringing the curious minds of Central Virginia a feast of knowledge, creativity, and fun! For one spectacular day each year, Lynchburg comes alive with everything from trumpets that shoot fire to power tools that drag race, bananas that play synth sounds, and marble machines built in every direction imaginable.

Recently members came together to build a new forge for the Blacksmithing shop. Working off of plans purchased online, Elise Spontarelli and Chelsea Tinklenberg built the Apollo Forge. Made of 1/4" steel, the shell of of the forge was cut on the CNC plasma cutter. After a series of bending, refractory mixing, and welding, the forge was ready for assembly!

Since the season began on January 10, Team 10257 at Vector Space has focused on preparing for the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition, REBUILT presented by Haas, released that day as the official kickoff. In this game teams design robots to collect and score foam balls called fuel into their alliance’s hub and climb to score additional points. Scoring fuel and climbing effectively are key tasks for earning match points and improving rankings.

This January, as for the last two years, we have welcomed high school students from New Covenant Schools to the makerspace for a 7-day J-Term. This year, we expanded the offering to include Blacksmithing, as well as the previously offered Woodworking intensive. Students all spent 40+ hours over the program learning to use tools, practice techniques, and produce some impressive finished products.