The second-annual Champlain Mini Maker Faire drew an all-ages crowd of over 2,400 people to Shelburne Farms on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29. Over 70 Makers from across Vermont gathered to show the public what they had made and discuss what they learned in the process.
The event brought together local DIY enthusiasts and gave the public the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by their creativity and innovation. Kids and parents alike moved throughout the Coach Barn and the surrounding grounds to observe robots shooting Frisbees and underwater ROVs, make and launch their own rockets, chat with intelligent robot Bina48, and play musical instruments made from ‘junk.’
Executive Event Producer Doug Webster (State Education Coordinator and host of the TV STEM education series, ‘A Renewed Culture of Innovation’) says he is thrilled that the Faire has continued to be a success.
‘We have such a thriving Maker community in Vermont, and the Champlain Mini Maker Faire provides an opportunity for these Makers to connect with each other, and with the general public. These Makers are grassroots problem-solvers who, thanks to new technologies and thinking, can be players in today’s economy.’
Program Director Jan Herder says the event highlights a trend that is gaining traction nationwide.
‘The Maker culture is something that’s growing, and it’s the idea to move away from a consumer culture to a Maker culture ‘ in the old days, we all made everything.’
Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, a Maker Faire gives the public the opportunity to interact with local Makers and to make, craft, learn and be inspired while celebrating arts, engineering, science and technology.
For more information, visit www.champlainmakerfaire.com.
EVENT SPONSORS:
Pizzagalli Properties
VT Center for Emerging Technologies
United Technologies Aerospace Systems
Northeast Advanced Technological Education Center, Hudson Valley Community College
Connecticut College of Technology, Next Generation Manufacturing
National Science Foundation
Agency of Commerce Office for the Creative Economy
Vermont HI-TEC
Vermont Technical College
Meach Cove Farms
FairPoint Communications
VT Technology Council
VT Community Foundation
Concept2
Critical process systems group/ fab tech/nehp
Main Street Landing
Jerry Greenfield
University of Vermont,College of Engineering and Mathematical Science
Vermont Superior Technical Ceramics
IEEE
Kaza Hagan Associates
Sesamedia
Champlain College
Johnson State College
Seven Days
Summit Technologies
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Champlain Mini Maker Faire draws crowd of over 2,400 in two days
Submitted by tim
on