Bucknell App MakerSpace
The App MakerSpace is a new initiative of Bucknell’s Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (PGCEI), launched in fall 2026 in Taylor Hall. Joe Meiser (Art & Art History) and I co-founded it as its two Faculty Gurus.
What we’re doing
More and more students want to build apps (mobile, web and IoT) to launch a venture or support one, and AI coding tools now let almost anyone get started. The App MakerSpace bridges the gap between an idea and a working prototype. We offer:
- a dedicated place to build: a collaborative space with the tools and structure to make progress
- consultation: drop-in hours and one-on-one guidance on architecture, design and strategy
- workshops: hands-on sessions on building with AI tools, from first prototype to launch
- community and events: hackathons, demos, and user-testing sessions where students show their work and get honest feedback
Mission and vision
Our mission is to give student entrepreneurs the infrastructure, expertise and support to turn their ideas into tangible, market-ready applications. Our support model scales from no-code tools and UX design to advanced programming and IoT. Our promise: every student, whatever their technical background, should have access to the resources needed to bring their vision to life. I especially want students to learn to use AI tools skillfully and responsibly, so they leave confident that they can build something, not just study it.
Workshops I’ve given
- Vibe Coding 101, September 22, 2026: my first workshop as Faculty Guru, an introduction to building working apps with AI coding assistants
Thank you
This only exists because Erin Jablonski, director of PGCEI, believed in it and made it happen. Huge thanks also to our first student consultants, who signed on to something brand new and made it real: Carter Applegate, Vance Johnson, Emanneul Mudungwe, Ava Sklar, Jaycie Mair and Cody Coleman. You can find their consultation hours on the App MakerSpace site.
Links: App MakerSpace (official page) · About the App MakerSpace · PGCEI · “Coming this Fall” video