On Saturday, November 11, 2017, the Main Library of the Akron-Summit County Public Library (@AkronLibrary) held the fifth annual Akron Mini Maker Faire. I have attended all five of these events showcasing creativity! Every year, I learn about maker groups and their very ingenious activities -- it is a true joy to explore!
Here is the overview of the Akron Mini Maker Faire from their website:
What is Maker Faire?
Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects.
We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Glimpse the future and get inspired!
About Our Maker Faire
Now in its 5th year, the Akron Mini Maker Faire is a family-friendly gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, thinkers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and more. From soap box derby race cars to polymer scientists, local makerspaces and more, the Akron Mini Maker Faire is a celebration of Akron ingenuity.
Maker Faire originated in 2006 in the San Francisco Bay Area as a project of the editors of Make: magazine. It has since grown into a significant worldwide network of both flagship and independently-produced events. Read more on Maker Faire history, the Maker Movement, as well as how to start a Maker Faire or a School Maker Faire where you live.
There was so much that I saw at the event that I can't write about everything, but I do want to highlight a few of the makers here:
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Robotics! As in past years, I enjoyed talking to the University Of Akron NASA Robotics Team (@uakron - @UAkronRobotics). This year, I enjoyed meeting students from two new participating teams: Bio-Med Science Academy's Robotics Team 45787A (@BioMedAcademy - @BMSA_Robotics ) and the FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) Team #8581 Ædificatores (@kss_ftc_8581 - @FIRSTweets).
Normally, when I meet competitive robotics teams with high-school-aged students, they are affiliated with a particular high school. It was interesting to learn from the Team #8581 Ædificatores members that they are formed as part of a nonprofit organization serving teenagers in their community. Here is a photo I took of their team:
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After the event, I saw that Team #8581 Ædificatores had shared a photo on Twitter and in their 11/11/17: Akron Mini Maker Faire blog post of me talking with their team.
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I had read about electrically powered bikes, but never had seen any up close. Plus, what I saw at this maker event was very different from what I had read. It was great to learn about Akrons's Electric Pete's E-bikes LLC and talk to their staff about the bike specs. I was amazed to learn about the technical improvements with these bikes -- it is not not the way it used to be!
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It was very interesting to talk to Jade Yurick, owner of Gold Leaf Calligraphy (@GoldLeafInk), and learn how she converts her two-dimensional calligraphy to 3D calligraphy using Adobe Illustrator software. She utilizes the Akron-Summit County Public Library makerspace "TechZone@Main" to print her 3D design on the library's laser engraver.
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I expected that Rubber City Prints (@RubberCTPrints) did printing, but was surprised to learn that they also offer workshops in other areas such as photography, printing, and drawing.
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Every year, the Akron Makerspace (@AkronMakerspace) has a booth demonstrating what they do, engaging the attendees of the Akron Mini Maker Faire to try a hands-on activity, and encouraging them to visit their location. This year, Akron Makerspace outdid themselves! They had a cool mini-car driving around the library, and a giant "Super Skeeball," which allowed attendees to bowl for points. In addtion to these two videos, please see more videos in the tweets below.
See that the @AkronMakerspace is in the house today at @AkronLibrary #Maker Faire.
They built this car at the #Akron Maker Space. https://t.co/t5mFChXPLQ pic.twitter.com/nS3unoNPYj— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Super #Skeeball in #Akron!!! So very cool!!
Great project by @AkronMakerspace at @AkronLibrary #Maker Fair. pic.twitter.com/KvG7Roo4Or— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Enjoy my photos and tweets/retweets from the event, which give an overview of some of the many creative happenings at the 2017 Akron Mini Maker Faire.
Photos and Videos
I recommend viewing the slideshow in full screen mode.
If your device does not support Flickr.com photos/videos,
please view them here.
Tweets & Retweets
Learn more about the day by reading these 41 tweets/retweets that I shared in my @sos_jr Twitter feed:
GREAT NEWS!!! #ourBMSA Robotics Team has been accepted to display our Bots at the Akron Mini Maker Faire! @akronlibrary @biomedacademy pic.twitter.com/2wnMmtvxVh
— Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics) September 20, 2017
Akron Mini Maker Faire 2017 https://t.co/Vzz0lIsNYT
— Dave Kearns (@DaveK0101) November 5, 2017
Next Saturday Nov. 11th Akron Mini Maker Faire.
— Dave Kearns (@DaveK0101) November 5, 2017
Family-friendly, free, and fun. that’s the Akron Mini Maker... https://t.co/QcfQwQ6aZ9
Akron Mini Maker Faire 2017 comes to the @akronlibrary on Nov 11. https://t.co/lfjjzE4RR2
— ArtsNow (@SummitArtsNow) November 3, 2017
I had a great time at @Cleveland_PL’s 2017 @CLEMakerFaire! See #CMMF blog post: https://t.co/ldGWuJbLza
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 10, 2017
Thus I recommend another fun #tech Saturday this time in #Akron on 11/11 at @AkronLibrary Mini #Maker Faire! https://t.co/SgRAPPu3II pic.twitter.com/oDdL5w109o
T-16 hours until @akronlibrary Mini Maker Faire! 12-4pm at the Downtown Main library! Over 30 makers! pic.twitter.com/yfjsGrSjDM
— Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics) November 11, 2017
November, 11, 2017 - The BIG day! Akron Mini Maker Faire 2017!
Last year I saw so many creative people at the #Akron Mini #Maker Faire! https://t.co/5u7zHmBeLf
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Looking forward to seeing all the creative Makers today at the @AkronLibrary! https://t.co/SgRAPPu3II pic.twitter.com/0cNt89viE4
Come visit us at the @akronlibrary mini maker faire today til 4! #ourbmsa @biomedacademy pic.twitter.com/ztnjsxGAqk
— Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics) November 11, 2017
All Setup at the Akron Mini Maker Faire @akronlibrary pic.twitter.com/Z2CS7VEK9o
— Dave Kearns (@DaveK0101) November 11, 2017
Getting set up for the @akronlibrary mini maker faire! #ourbmsa @biomedacademy pic.twitter.com/zsccBtxy8t
— Keagan O'Mara (@MisterOMara) November 11, 2017
Retweeted Keagan O'Mara (@MisterOMara):
— Bio-Med Academy (@biomedacademy) November 11, 2017
Getting set up for the @akronlibrary mini maker faire! #ourbmsa... https://t.co/AfHsWgDZf6
Learn about Electric Pete’s e-Bike (electronic #bike) located in #Akron at @AkronLibrary’s Mini #Maker Faire. https://t.co/wGMogXICSi pic.twitter.com/QxDO4VIjb5
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Very cool!
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Gold Leaf Calligraphy @GoldLeafInk does your #calligraphy project and then prints it out for you on the laser printer at @AkronLibrary #Maker Space. https://t.co/K7wLimigLO pic.twitter.com/bPGgjRr9NS
In #Akron learn how @RubberCTPrints does all #FineArt workshops— photography, printing, drawing.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
They also do fine art printing.
Come to @AkronLibrary #Maker Faire to learn more. https://t.co/OMnbOZoJGc pic.twitter.com/XZhnNbfi5O
https://t.co/NXp8GA8DuU
— Rubber City Prints (@RubberCTPrints) November 11, 2017
Akron mini maker fair...free until 4pm. @rubberctprints demos every hour #thingstodo #akron pic.twitter.com/Edxa28UwXx
Paper making with the staff from the @AkronKidsDotOrg today in #Akron at @AkronLibrary’s #Maker Faire. pic.twitter.com/4i59bT2ARL
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
SkeeBowl @akronlibrary Mini Maker Faire pic.twitter.com/OnaWfovo9Z
— Dave Kearns (@DaveK0101) November 11, 2017
nice turn out at the Akron Mini Maker Faire. @akronlibrary pic.twitter.com/PBPJJdcWRH
— Dave Kearns (@DaveK0101) November 11, 2017
Tasty treats and information about over 99 community #gardens in #Akron at @letsgrowakron booth at @AkronLibrary #Maker Faire.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
They also teach how to do composting. https://t.co/tuWqRLoW7A pic.twitter.com/BuEB9uPbgJ
#Music demo by @TrepanningTrio at @AkronLibrary Mini #Maker Faire. https://t.co/SgRAPPu3II pic.twitter.com/VztmQEx4gm
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
See that the @AkronMakerspace is in the house today at @AkronLibrary #Maker Faire.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
They built this car at the #Akron Maker Space. https://t.co/t5mFChXPLQ pic.twitter.com/nS3unoNPYj
#Robotics from @uakron’s @UAkronRobotics team at @AkronLibrary’s #Akron #Maker Faire.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
They built projects for a @NASA competition. pic.twitter.com/pRnHBqyc7q
#Robotics and Tesla coil from @uakron’s @UAkronRobotics team at @AkronLibrary’s #Akron #Maker Faire. pic.twitter.com/6MksWJZjTg
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
We’re not the only robots here! @uakron NASA robot is too! @biomedacademy #ourBMSA pic.twitter.com/XMRrVvvmFG
— Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics) November 11, 2017
Check out @biomedacademy’s @BMSA_Robotics #robotics team at @AkronLibrary’s #Maker Faire.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
#ourbmsa #STEM students. pic.twitter.com/sTzbcethuP
On Saturday, November 11th, the team will be presenting at the Akron Mini Maker Faire! The event will be held from noon to 4 at the Akron Public Library. Parking and admission are free. More information can be found on their website. Hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/xGAUHd4j7v
— 8581 AEdificatores (@kss_ftc_8581) November 10, 2017
Hear how @kss_ftc_8581 made to national #robotics competition for @FIRSTweets at @AkronLibrary #Maker Faire.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
They have a neat #nonprofit in #Akron area for high school students. https://t.co/XwdqUzpfZH pic.twitter.com/a7Qv0D0t1w
Robot soccer @akronlibrary mini maker faire! @biomedacademy #ourbmsa @BMSA_Robotics pic.twitter.com/cQiP2R54yE
— Keagan O'Mara (@MisterOMara) November 11, 2017
@FIRSTweets team 8581 is @akronlibrary mini maker faire too! #ourBMSA @biomedacademy pic.twitter.com/OgpH31W7FN
— Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics) November 11, 2017
Retweeted Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics):@FIRSTweets team 8581 is @akronlibrary mini maker faire too!... https://t.co/hQ9a51Puwi
— Bio-Med Academy (@biomedacademy) November 11, 2017
Retweeted Keagan O'Mara (@MisterOMara):
— Bio-Med Academy (@biomedacademy) November 11, 2017
Robot soccer @akronlibrary mini maker faire! @biomedacademy #ourbmsa... https://t.co/v6Jv9W7BqW
Retweeted Bio-Med Robotics (@BMSA_Robotics):
— Bio-Med Academy (@biomedacademy) November 11, 2017
Come visit us at the @akronlibrary mini maker faire today til 4!... https://t.co/0U6Ekp46Kp
Check out @AkronMakerspace booth at @AkronLibrary #Akron #Maker Faire.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Learn more on their website at: https://t.co/t5mFChXPLQ pic.twitter.com/tG3pWSWLrX
#Akron #Maker Studio for @uakron students see at @AkronLibrary Maker Faire. pic.twitter.com/hTsstclUVl
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Super #Skeeball in #Akron!!! So very cool!!
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Great project by @AkronMakerspace at @AkronLibrary #Maker Fair. pic.twitter.com/KvG7Roo4Or
Super #Skeeball in #Akron!!!
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Learn more about @AkronMakerspace at: https://t.co/t5mFChXPLQ
Via @AkronLibrary #Maker Fair. pic.twitter.com/qEro6lGMhF
Thank you @akronlibrary for a wonderful Mini Makers Faire. So glad to meet the local artisans and community members with their familys #familyfun #GetTogether https://t.co/5MagFhgIZ3
— Jade Yurick (@GoldLeafInk) November 11, 2017
Very impressive Mini #Maker Faire in #Akron today.
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 11, 2017
Congratulations @AkronLibrary for such a successful event.
Great to also see all the #tech #science, and maker services available in your #library! https://t.co/FbhyoEkdvI pic.twitter.com/Mm9MnTY7Cq
Egg drop... Not my thing pic.twitter.com/vzIrk6uW3A
— Derek Arnold (@darnold0714) November 11, 2017
The team presented at the Akron Mini Maker Faire yesterday! While we talked to people of all ages about FIRST and FTC, we let kids drive the test robots we had constructed. It was a great experience to meet so many creative and innovative people! @sos_jr @akronlibrary pic.twitter.com/90hT6y390X
— 8581 AEdificatores (@kss_ftc_8581) November 12, 2017
We participated with @UAkronRobotics and @biomedacademy @BMSA_Robotics at the Akron Mini Maker Faire.
— 8581 AEdificatores (@kss_ftc_8581) November 12, 2017
Many thanks to @akronlibrary for putting on the Mini Maker Faire! pic.twitter.com/fUuxGTM8mc
@kss_ftc_8581 It was great to meet your #robotics team at @AkronLibrary's #Akron Mini #Maker Faire!
— Stuart O. Smith, Jr. (@sos_jr) November 22, 2017
It is fun that you have a photo of me talking to your team that you shared on Twitter https://t.co/pvwX7hLrcA and in your blog post about the event: https://t.co/7BKKbNnOSg pic.twitter.com/h4hKO2Prya
Makers & Exhibits
Here is a list of participants from the official 2017 Akron Mini Maker Faire Makers & Exhibits web page! It is so impressive to see the full list of organizations and creative individuals who participated -- such a wealth of knowledge represented!
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Acme Egg Drop, Science & Technology Division
Science & Technology Division -
CORMUG (Central Ohio RepRap and MakerBot User Group)
Ethan Dicks -
Electric Assist Bicycles- Electric Pete;s E-bikes
Pete SMakula -
Goodyear Branch Library presents Pocket People
Ariel Sawyer, Amy Casteel -
Junior Engineers Box Challenge (Akron Children's Library)
Akron Children's Library -
Maker Studio - University of Akron
Maker Studio - University Library - University of Akron -
Snap Circuits- Firestone Park Branch
Firestone Park Branch Library
Related Blog Posts:
To learn more about tech events at the Cleveland Public Library (@Cleveland_PL), Cuyahoga County Public Library (@CuyahogaLib), and the Akron Public Library (@AkronLibrary), please see these related blog posts that my co-blogger/wife, Julie, and I have written:
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Blog Date: November 8, 2017 - Maximum Fun at Mini Maker Faire 2017 - Cleveland's 5th Annual!
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Blog Date: January 25, 2017 - Cleveland Public Library & NASA Glenn - Hidden Figures
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Blog Date: November 28, 2016 - Akron Mini Maker Faire 2016
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Blog Date: November 15, 2016 - Cleveland Mini Maker Faire 2016
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Blog Date: April 6, 2016 - CDPUG Tour of Cuyahoga County Public Library's New Innovation Center
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Blog Date: October 7, 2015 - Web Vulnerability » Akron Maker Faire » Launch League SpaceWalk
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Blog Date: October 29, 2014 - Robots & Makers in Akron -- Oh, My!
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Blog Date: May 1, 2014 - 2014 Cleveland Mini Maker Faire
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Blog Date: February 13, 2014 - GCPCUG Field Trip: TechCentral MakerSpace
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Blog Date: January 16, 2014 - Cleveland's TechCentral MakerSpace Grand Opening
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Blog Date: November 25, 2013 - Akron Mini Maker Faire & SYN/HAK The Akron Hackerspace Open House
Future
It was great talking to all the makers and creative people at the 2017 Faire! I am looking forward to not only the 2018 Akron Public Library Mini Maker Faire, but also the 2018 Cleveland Public Library Cleveland Mini Maker Faire!