"I am a Maker"
Summer opens up new possibilities for making
In my Make Things newsletter, I shared the photo and story of Karydis Johnson, who just graduated from Skyline High in Oakland and had Makey on her mortarboard. Here’s her story:
My parents were part of the original cupcake crew (ACME Muffineering), and made the Prozac cupcake and the S&M cupcake, which are now the peppermint cupcake and sweet heart cupcake respectively. This is also where we met Jon (Sarriugarte), Kyrsten, and Zolie, who we became super close with and have worked on several projects with. Maker Faire was one of my favorite things to do, along with Burning Man, and has really influenced me to pursue making theatrical machines, following what my parents, Jon and Kyrsten, and many of other makers at Maker Faire do and have done. I am currently planning to study robotics engineering at UCSC this coming fall, and intend to use that degree to continue my path as a maker.
Congratulations to Karydis and all the graduates this spring.
Maker Camp this summer
As we transition from the school year to summer, I wanted to highlight Maker Camp and all kinds of summer enrichment programs for youth that introduce kids to experiential learning and hands-on activities.
First off, if you have a camp and are looking for maker project ideas for kids, please check out the resources at the Maker Camp website. There are lots of project ideas and how-to instructions on the site.
The first year for Maker Camp was 2013. We had a sponsor for Maker Camp that year so we developed a website that encouraged people to organize summer camps and introduce kids to making. We couldn’t organize camps ourselves but we wanted to support those who do offer camps to include projects that might involve technology or new materials
.One of the books Make published to help train parents (and teachers) how to engage kids in making was “Start Making: A Guide to Engaging Young People in Making Activities” by Danielle Martin and Alisha Panjwani, who were part of the MIT Clubhouse Network. It offers a concise introductions to makers and the value of making for youth. Alisha created this wonderful illustration that sums it up what making means.
I will be organizing a Maker Camp in Sonoma County for middle school students during the first week of August. The response from parents and kids has been great. I am really looking forward to creating this experience and seeing what kids want to make. I have also found a lot of talented makers to teach blacksmithing, glassblowing and sewing. I hope it’s a lot of fun.
I believe there’s a real need for more kids to have access to maker programs and experiences, especially during the summer.
Make Math in-person training for educators and parents in Pasadena July 23-25
Our Make: math book authors Joan Horvath and Rich Cameron will be doing a rare in-person training event in Pasadena, California July 23-25. The two-and-a-half day workshop will cover teaching ideas for the material in their books, as well as instruction in 3D printing, electronics, and classroom/home project planning tailored to the level of attendees.
The workshop will be small with lots of individual attention, and held in a lovely old Craftsman-style building owned by collaborators Institute for Educational Advancement.
Register and more info at: https://educationaladvancement.org/services/consulting/#maker
Enjoy this summer of making.