Inspired by Burgers at #NCCE2014

Manning the Maker Table. Folks had to make something to earn their Maker Badge. — Manning the Maker Table.

You never know where good ideas will come from. On the way to NCCE2014 one of those bright idea popped into my head. That happens once in a while! Inspired by the fine folks at Five Guys Burger and Fries, I decided to have index cards, markers, and crayons available at our Maker Table. We asked people to draw or write something they have made or would like to make on the cards and then we taped them up all over the booth. They could also make a “blinky thing” from a coin cell battery, a couple of LEDs, some pipe cleaners, and a little masking tape. It’s a fun and creative lesson in simple circuits. So many people were so interested in “blinky things” for their primary grade students that we put together a classroom kit in our Young Inventor Supply Shop. The kids from Amazing Grace Christian School did such a great job at manning the table and making sure people made something to earn their “I’m a Maker” badge that we had a couple hundred Make cards decorating our booth.

It was fantastic to have the kids from Amazing Grace Christian School hanging out in our makerspace during the conference. It didn’t take long before some of them became the experts and started teaching the teachers how to use 3D printers and Arduino. You know someone really has learned something when they are able to teach others. I’d say those kids learned a lot during the conference!

We were fortunate to have Sylvia Martinez (@smartinez), co-author of our favorite book Invent to Learn, hang out with us all day Thursday. She joined Friday morning’s keynote speaker, Gary Stager (@garystager), to sign copies of the book for lucky conference goers. They were set up just outside the Makerspace Garage and we were SUPER busy while they were around! You should check out their summer institute, Constructing Modern Knowledge. It is four days of intensive computer-rich project development with peers and a world-class faculty, with inspirational guest speakers and social events to round out the fantastic event. Hurry though, it fills up fast!

Thursday’s keynote speaker, Eric Sheninger (@NMHS_Principal), stopped by and spoke to Steve about some exciting activities going on at his school. Eric is a technology leader and an administrator who “gets” the power of being connected. His book “Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times” is a practical guide for administrators and teachers who want to help their students become successful in the digital age. Steve is going to swing by Eric’s New Milford High School to visit their makerspace next week when he is in NYC for the Inside 3d Printing Conference. Lucky!

I’ll ask you the same question we asked the folks at the conference… What do YOU like to make? Let us know in the comments below!