The Maker Movement is a technology subculture formed at the nexus of traditional craftsmanship and modern techno-engineering, combined with a self-starting do-it-yourself ethic. (New Haven Independent)
Think geeky tinkerer.
A makerspace (also referred to as a hackerspace, hacklab, or hackspace) is a community-operated workspace where people with common interests – often in computers, technology, science, digital art or electronic art – can meet, socialize and collaborate. (Wikipedia)
Independent in its roots, the movement is so widespread in its popularity, scope and impact that MIT recently announced that it now accepts, as a supplement to the application process, Maker Portfolios. And as a natural evolution, the movement has caught the attention of venture capitalists, academics and corporate America.
Curious to learn more?
At Smith, The Center for Design & Fabrication is a hands-on space, where users may design and fabricate objects from metal, wood, plastics, and glass. Available machinery includes 3D printers and a laser cutter. A maker-type, for credit course is offered every Jterm (IDP250.) The CDF is open to the Smith community, and faculty members are invited to bring a class or conduct research projects there.
Photo Credit: Wheel hanger for recumbent bike by Prateek (IDP250J, Class of 2009), Smith Center for Design and Fabrication.
Consider attending a maker-related event:
Workshop: NERCOMP’s “The Technologies of Makerspaces”
When: October 21 at Siena College (Loudonville, NY)
Libraries around the world are starting to implement Makerspaces. These are dedicated areas set aside for the physical creation of things and can vary greatly but include fabric art, wearable computing, electronics projects, robotics, 3D printing, as well as more traditional skills such as bookbinding or paper making. Most library makerspaces are currently focused on teaching and creating projects involving inexpensive computing power such as the $35 Raspberry Pi computer. We will be covering this as well as other technologies associated with getting a space like this up and running.
Exhibition: 2013 World Maker Faire
When: September 21 & 22, 2013 (New York Hall of Science)
Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.
Pioneer Valley Makers: http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=16907
References:
Smith College’s Center for Design and Fabrication (CDF): www.science.smith.edu/resources/cdf/location.html
Make: http://makezine.com
MacMillan, Thomas. “On State Street, “Maker” Movement Arrives.” New Haven Independent, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 19 Aug. 2013. <http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/make_haven/id_46594>.
“Makerspace.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Aug. 2013. Web. 19 Aug. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makerspace>.