Step 1: Initial Project Consultation (~10 mins - 1 hr)

  • During our operating hours, come to the Front Desk, or join our Discord Server and hop on the Front Desk channel.
  • The Front Desk will connect you with an available Peer Mentor and help you start a consultation.
  • You may have to provide information about material, purpose, design etc. Keep that information handy before you get in a consultation. Hint: Volunteering, tours and learning to use equipment are all projects.
  • From the consultation you should get project viability, resource list, learning resources, project workflow etc. Hint: Take notes!

Step 2: Project Proposal (~10 mins)

  • Create a project proposal on our Project Management System.
  • Make sure to type in the resources based on your initial consultation
  • Proposals are not automatically approved! You need to hop on Discord in order to get them approved by a Peer MentorHint: It is best to get this done during Step 1.

Step 3: Finish Initial Agreements Quizzes (~10 mins - 30 mins)

  • Take the quizzes based on your project in the Project Management SystemHint: You can click on the quizzes in the Project Management System to jump to the quiz. You have to accept the badges for them to be complete.

Step 4: Further Consultations (~1 hr - 3 hrs)

  • Depending on the nature of the project there might be multiple subsequent consultations. These could be on Discord or in-person (decided by Peer Mentor start in Discord) at the Center. Hint: Always take notes! Share what you have discussed with the last Peer Mentor. Simple web searches can often solve a lot of problems; save the difficult questions for the Peer Mentors.
  • Ask the Peer Mentor if you are ready for a Reservation.

Step 5: Reservation (~10 mins)

  • File a Reservation on our Project Management System.
  • Reservation are not automatically approved! You need to hop on Discord in order to get them approved by a Peer MentorHint: It is best to get this done during Step 4.
  • Show up for you reservation on time. Hint: Make sure to have your PPE!

OPERATING HOURS

Fall (Sep 1 - Dec 13) & Spring (Jan 20 - May 3) Hours 2025:

  • Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Closed on Sundays and all University Holidays
  • Limited availability for Fabrics & Composites

Summer Hours (May 19 - Aug 8) 2025:

  • Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wood, Boilermakery open Monday to Friday
  • Metal, Electronics open Monday, Tuesday every week
  • Printing & Prototyping open Wednesday every week
  • Closed on Weekends and all University Holidays
  • No availability for Fabrics, Hot-Works, Blacksmithing, Composites

Bechtel Center is student employee run. Exams, projects, sickness and reservations lead to variable daily availability. The best way to get up to date information is to:

  • Check #consultation-status on our Discord Server. 
  • Ask our Front Desk In - Person / Discord.