Skip to content Skip to main navigation Report an accessibility issue

Getting Started: Safety Starts Here

Safety First at Kao ICS

Welcome to the Kao Innovation & Collaboration Studio (Kao ICS)! Before diving into your creative projects, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Follow the steps below to get started and ensure a smooth experience in our makerspace.

Dress Code

To maintain a safe environment, all users must adhere to the following dress code:

  • Closed-Toe Shoes: Required at all times. Prohibited footwear includes Crocs, slippers, sandals, flip-flops, and high heels.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear safety glasses, earplugs, aprons, and other required PPE when working in specialized areas.
  • Hair & Beards: Tie up long hair or beards securely. Use a hat if tied-up hair extends beyond shoulder length.
  • Short-Sleeved Shirts: long sleeves are fine if you can push them up as needed.
  • Loose or Baggy Clothing: any clothing with risk of getting caught in a machine will not be allowed. If staff ask you to remedy a clothing issue, please do so immediately or come back when you are able to.
  • Jewelry & Accessories: Remove all jewelry (watches, bracelets, rings) and accessories (lanyards, headphones, scarves) to prevent entanglement in machinery.

Join the Kao ICS Canvas Course

The first step to accessing Kao ICS resources is enrolling in our Canvas Catalog course.

This is a new course as of Fall 2025. If you are registered with the old Canvas course, you will need to re-register and complete the orientation training.

Starting Fall 2025, you must complete this orientation to be in the ICS. You may not pass the front desk until you have done so!

Sign up for the Canvas course, then complete the following steps within that course. The Canvas page will have links to guide you through the steps.

  1. Refer to General Kao ICS Policies to learn about our policies (Canvas)
  2. Pass the Kao ICS Policy Agreement with 100% (Canvas)
  3. Participate in the Kao ICS Orientation (In-person*)
  4. Pass the Kao ICS Orientation Quiz with 100% (Canvas)

*In-person Kao ICS Orientation

In-person orientations are held every Thursday and Friday from 4–6 p.m. The orientation takes around 20 minutes, and we will continuously re-start the presentations when people are present. No appointment is needed, but you may need to wait until a slot opens.

If you have any questions about the orientation process, contact us at ics@utk.edu.



After completing the orientation, you are welcome to be in the ICS space between 10am and 6pm, Monday through Friday. Access to additional tools and training will require further Canvas and in-person training. Information is available on Canvas, and our workers can help with any questions during or after your orientation.