founder Elise VanDyne heads to the White House later this month to represent the state at the , which is June 17 to 23.
VanDyne, who has organized several maker events in Colorado, said she doesn’t know exactly how she got picked. She assumes it came from a community member nominating her.
“They select 10 people each year under three categories, one of which this year is Making. While I wasn’t selected for that award, I guess they decided I would be a good selection for their state-to-state network of maker leaders,” said VanDyne, who joins 50 other makers at the White House opening reception. “What the national representation means is — it brings credibility and support to the work.”
If you can’t make it to Washington for the national festivities, there’s a closer one this weekend at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The is two days and, said VanDyne, will include activities like creating circuits, driving the Star Trek Artemis Bridge, playing a laser harp, welding, building rockets and driving robots “and that is just 1/10th of what you’ll see and experience at the Faire,” she said.
The Maker moniker launched in 2005. As the cost of technology like 3-D printers, laser cutters and other tools became nearly affordable for consumers, users began calling themselves makers. Makers would gather and show off what they made at Maker Faires. But anyone who is crafty, creative and curious can be considered a maker and would likely find Maker Faires invigorating.
Such a change from the first Mini Maker Faire in Colorado three years ago, she said. Efforts were met with resistance, and she’d hear comments like, “Oh, there are lots of fringe people, crafters, geeks out there. They are not serious. Why should we pay attention?” she said.
“Yet the maker movement is changing our approach to education, entrepreneurship and invention, business innovation — so many things. We are seeing new businesses out of makerspaces, kids in school inventing and creating, and Colorado companies like Mod Robotics and Sphero becoming global leaders in robotics,” she said.
This year Denver Mini Maker Faire is limited to 6,500 people, up from last year’s 5,300. Tickets are $14.95 to $19.95, which includes museum admission. If you’re already a museum member, Maker Faire tickets are $5. Children under 3 are free. More details are at .
