Moving at the Speed of Creativity by Wesley Fryer

Mini-Maker Faire Coming to Manhattan, Kansas September 20, 2014

MakerFaireManhattan by Wesley Fryer, on Flickr
Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License   by  Wesley Fryer 

Do you, your students, and members of your family know about the MAKER movement? According to the English WikiPedia:

The maker culture is a contemporary culture or subculture representing a technology-based extension of DIY culture. Typical interests enjoyed by the maker culture include engineering-oriented pursuits such as electronics, robotics, 3-D printing, and the use of CNC tools, as well as more traditional activities such as metalworking, woodworking, and traditional arts and crafts. The subculture stresses new and unique applications of technologies, and encourages invention and prototyping. There is a strong focus on using and learning practical skills and applying them creatively.

If you live in the heartland of the USA, an opportunity to experience, participate, and learn about the Maker Movement is coming up in Manhattan, Kansas, on Saturday, September 20, 2014. According to the informational flyer (available in PDF or MS Word format) for the Aggieville Mini Maker Faire:

UFM Community Learning Center is working with the Aggieville Business Association to organize a Mini Maker Faire as part of Aggieville’s 125th Birthday Street Fair and Dance on Saturday, September 20. This celebration will be a great day full of activities for the whole family, including a kid’s carnival, a giant donut birthday cake, antique car show, ice cream social, historical events, and local entertainment groups performing on an outdoor stage, all followed by an evening street dance. It’s Aggieville’s way of saying, “Thank you!” to the community that’s supported it for 125 years.

Several members of our family attended the Mini Maker Faire in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in September 2013, and we all attended the Maker Faire in Kansas City this past June. Both events were awesome! I love how ecclectic and diverse Maker events are, and how passionate the people are who are there to share what they MAKE. If you can find your way to Manhattan, Kansas, on September 20th, definitely plan to make the Mini Maker Faire part of your day. More information including a downloadable application to participate (MS Word format) is available from www.tryufm.org. UFM is a fantastic community education non-profit in Manhattan which hosted the July 2014 iPad Media Camp I led for area educators. I learned about this upcoming Mini Maker Faire from Michael Wesch when we were in Manhattan that week, and I’m excited to see the marketing for this event is now in full swing. Please help spread the word about it via social media!

Aggieville Mini Maker Faire: Call for Ma by Wesley Fryer, on Flickr
Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License   by  Wesley Fryer 

 

R2 Builders at Maker Faire Kansas City 2 by Wesley Fryer, on Flickr
Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License   by  Wesley Fryer 

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2 responses to “Mini-Maker Faire Coming to Manhattan, Kansas September 20, 2014”

  1. Dylan Avatar
    Dylan

    I always love seeing people do what they love; no matter what it is! Good read. I’ll look out for the Maker Faire’s in my area!

  2. Nick Wiggins Avatar
    Nick Wiggins

    I would love to see this convention. I am from a small town in Alabama. We do not see much new technology where I am from. I have never seen a robot in real life. I would like to see how they work. Technology is a tool. I am a future teacher. Anyway to learn technology to improve teaching is a great visit. I wish I had the oppurtunity to attend this year. I will have to see if there are any convention like this coming to Alabama.