Where can you find a family-friendly event, with hundreds of people enjoying the arts, science, technology, and music?
With people celebrating inventions and creations that make you smile, laugh, and leave you wondering: what did they make that out of?
That’s what Maker Faire Detroit is all about: bringing together scientists, hobbyists, engineers, young and old. It’s for anyone who loves creating things and sharing what they learned with others.
This weekend I attended my second Maker Faire Detroit, hosted at The Henry Ford. The two-day event celebrates our regional makers, inventors, and creators, with many schools, businesses, and individuals sharing their creations.
And despite a quick rain shower Saturday morning that had many of us scrambling under tents or heading into the museum, I enjoyed my day as I marveled at the robots, dragons, drones, self-propelled outdoor play equipment, and artistic creations.
I chatted with inventors and delighted in watching young children giggling as their sailboats cruised across the wooden floor of the Henry Ford Museum.
I was fascinated with the beautiful watercolor painting on the mathematically-designed patterns on a laser-etched lamp shade.
And along with about a dozen other parents and teenagers, I carefully folded my paper airplane, only to see it nose-dive into the floor. All of us went back to the folding table to try and create another one.
With six other people on one bicycle, I cycled around the fair trying not to run into other fairgoers.
What is Maker Faire?
The first Maker Faire was held in 2006 in the Bay Area of California, bringing together makers and inventors who wanted to share their creations and enjoy hands-on activities.
In 2014, Maker Faire expanded to include independent events around the world, including one in Detroit.
I think of Maker Faire as a combination science fair, county fair, and craft fair.
It’s a place for Do-It-Yourselfers to show their work. There’s something for everyone who enjoys inventions, science, and the arts. And there’s always hands-on activities.
What makes it stand out for me is the opportunity to meet and talk with people who created the inventions and learn what inspired them.
Cupcake, Anyone?
Justin, a member of the Goodrich High School Robotics Team, in Goodrich, Michigan, was one of the friendliest inventors I chatted with yesterday.
He was the navigator inside the battery-powered chocolate cupcake making its way along one of the walkways outside the museum.
I learned 20 people are on their robotics team, but only three were able to attend Maker Faire the is weekend.
As Justin explained to me how the cupcake was built, several other people gathered around him to see the inside of the cupcake.
When the seat inside the cupcake is removed, you can see the two diesel batteries that run the cupcake. The bottom of the cupcake is made of bent metal on the outside to look like a cupcake liner; the inside has a wooden foundation to hold the batteries and removable seat.
The rest of the cupcake is made of fabric. It was fun to see Justin sit inside the cupcake, close down the top, and don a hat that looks like frosting.
If you enjoy inventions and creations, I hope you find time this weekend to make it to Maker Faire!
