Thinkers, Tinkerers Convene at Annual Maker Faire

If you’re in the need of some weekend inspiration, you can find it among makers at this weekend's Maker Faire Atlanta.

If you’re in the need of some weekend inspiration, you can find it among makers at this weekend's Maker Faire Atlanta.

The Maker Faire is a “show and tell” event where various groups gather to promote hobbies, experiments, projects, and creativity. It’s an arena where innovators from any field can show what they are making and share what they are learning

In 2006, the editors of Make: magazine launched Maker Faire in the San Francisco Bay area. Their main goal was to entertain, inform, and connect the community.

Since then, Maker Faire has grown into a network of events spread throughout the globe. Maker Faire Atlanta began as a Mini-Maker Faire in 2011 on Georgia Tech’s campus. The Faire was a one-day event that drew 2,500 attendees.

“There was a captive audience of students and faculty at Tech, but it still only qualified as a mini Faire,” said Tanya Hyman, a Tech graduate who helps organize the event. “The Faire doubled in attendance every year after that to the point where Tech couldn’t accommodate it anymore.” It became a full Maker Faire in 2014, and has been held in downtown Decatur for the past two years.

Hyman now serves as president of the all-volunteer organization that runs Maker Faire Atlanta. Last year, about 200 makers showcased their creations, and more than 35,000 attended. She described Maker Faire as mix of Neil deGrasse Tyson, Martha Stewart, the Mythbusters guys, and Norm Abram from This Old House, all in one. (Read more about the event from the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine.)

Maker Faire Atlanta 2016 will feature more than 100 exhibits, including a few Tech-based groups. Read on for more information on a few of them.

RetroTech

RetroTech is a Georgia Tech Library program that helps the campus community create future projects through exploration of the past. Their exhibit will feature vintage computing, web preservation, and a lesson on creating personal digital archives. For more information, visit their website.

Make10

Make10 at Georgia Tech is a two-step challenge to create a product that can be digitally manufactured. After creation, participants must sell at least 10 versions of their product. This exhibit will feature 14 industrial design students who have conquered the Make10 project.

Urban Honey Bee Project

The Georgia Tech Urban Honey Bee Project’s goal is to help save bees by building new hives. This exhibit will provide an opportunity to assemble hive bodes and frames. The hives will then be donated to urban farms and community gardens. Learn more here.

Invention Studio

The Invention Studio at Tech is the national’s largest student-run maker space. Their booth at Maker Faire will include various student projects.

Ramblin’ Rocket Club

The Ramblin’ Rocket Club is group that is passionate about rocketry in all forms. This Tech club helps its members explore opportunities in the fields of low- and high-power rocketry. Their booth will offer the public a chance to learn more about rocketry as a hobby.

RoboJackets

RoboJackets is an organization engaging in BattleBots, RoboCup, RoboRacing and other robotics-related events.

This year, Maker Faire Atlanta is produced by the Southeast Makers Alliance and will be held in Downtown Decatu(105 Electric Ave, Decatur, GA 30030) beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. The Faire concludes at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2. The event is free but attendees are encouraged to register here.

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