Can you “make” your own Utopia?

The Cedar Rapids Science Center and the Cedar Rapids Maker Space are hosting the 3^rd Annual Mini Maker Faire from 10am-4pm on Saturday, April 19^th, at the Science Center located at 5824 Council St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA.

As part of the faire UTOPIA, FOX’s bold new unscripted series that follows a group of everyday people creating their own new civilization, has begun a nationwide search for pioneers to become the first inhabitants of UTOPIA will be on site at the faire! The series is looking for motivated and adventurous people who possess the passion and determination to create and build a whole new world – just the way they want it! Entrants should express their ideals, beliefs, skill sets and vision for their interpretations of UTOPIA.

Kristin Curtin Supervising Casting Producer commented, “Utopia is the biggest and boldest social experiment ever. We are so excited to be at the Maker Faire and look forward to meeting potential pioneers who are inventive and creative at the event.”

Participants must be a legal U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident, at least 21

years of age (on March 24, 2014) and able to commit to a full year as a “Utopian”

pioneer. Videos are limited to one submission per person. Please continue to

visit http://utopiatv.com/ for updated submission rules, terms, conditions and

additional casting information and events.

 

Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. The Faire is a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. It’s free to attend the event and explore maker exhibits.

 

Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow this community. Makers will demonstrate and exhibit their creative work in science, technology, invention and the arts.

If you are a Maker and interested in sharing your work with the public, please contact Norah at Norah@crsciencecetner.org or visit makerfairecedarrapids.com.

Supporters of the event include Adams Tile & Stone, General Mills, Shuttleworth and Ingersol, Rockwell Collins, University of Iowa Community Credit Union and Wells Fargo.

Contact the Science Center at 319.363.STEM (7836) or http://www.crsciencecenter.org for more information.

The Science Center is a not-for-profit science and technology museum. The mission of the Science Center is to be an innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) based learning center providing exciting and engaging facilities and programming meant to inspire and stimulate the imagination of the children, families, school/youth groups, and the individuals they serve.

 

 

Make On!

Another community day in the maker space… It’s amazing to see the hard work that can be done when makers meet! Maker Faire is April 19^th at the center, makerfairecedarrapids.com. Also, to get involved in the space, join our meet up, http://www.meetup.com/CedarRapidsMakerspace/.

Another cool maker project, see it April 19!

Check out this cool maker project that will be on exhibit at the faire! April 19, 10-4 at the Science Center. Don’t miss it, exhibits, entertainment, classes and more!

Cool Education Sessions at the Faire, and they are all FREE!

Mark Reyland, Functional Inventing

April 18 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

This session is FREE to attend, RSVP to norah@crsciencecenter.org, seating will be limited!

See Marks daily blog at http://networkedblogs.com/UxBP6 Mark Reyland In addition to being a professional inventor with a lot of time in the CEO chair, Mr. Reyland is the recognized industry authority on building innovation architectures between the independent inventor community and large retailers.

 Mr. Reyland has put together a 4 part series for inventors and makers, covering some of the challenges individuals face during the product development process.

Play From Scratch—An Entrepreneur’s Story

April 19 @ 10:30 am – 11:15 aM

 

Jeff is a Cedar Rapids native and has a great story to tell!! Please RSVP to norah@crsciencecenter.org to attend. Seating will be limited.

Jeff Freeland Nelson is the founder of Play from Scratch and inventor of the YOXO sustainable building sets. He is also a part-time carpenter, designer, electrician, musician, sculptor, painter and restorer of old barns.

Jeff began his career as technical director at the Minnesota Children’s Museum where he spent thousands of hours learning from kids at play. Later, Jeff was appointed director of cultural development for the City of Saint Paul and managing director of McNally Smith College. He was the founder and executive director of the Saint Paul Arts & Culture Partnership, a collaboration of 40 regional arts organizations. Prior to starting Play from Scratch, Jeff led public affairs for American Public Media, one of America’s largest public broadcasters.

All Events

Play From Scratch Robot Build

April 19 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pM

Come! Learn, play, have fun!

Mark Reyland-An Inventors Spirit of Innovation

April 19 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Free session, please RSVP to norah@crsciencecenter.org , seating will be limited!

See Marks daily blog at http://networkedblogs.com/UxBP6 Mark Reyland

In addition to being a professional inventor with a lot of time in the CEO chair, Mr. Reyland is the recognized industry authority on building innovation architectures between the independent inventor community and large retailers.

Mr. Reyland has put together a 4 part series for inventors and makers, covering some of the challenges individuals face during the product development process.

 

 

Another cool maker faire exhibit!

More Faire Details!

Images from the 2013 Faire!

Cedar Rapids Science Center and the Cedar Rapids Maker Space are hosting the 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire from 10am-4pm on Saturday, April 19th, at the Science Center located at 5824 Council St NE, Cedar Rapids, IA.

Maker Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the Maker movement. The faire is a place where people show what they are making, and share what they are learning. It’s free to attend the event and explore maker exhibits.

Makers range from tech enthusiasts to crafters to homesteaders to scientists to garage tinkerers. They are of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of Maker faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow this community. Makers will demonstrate and exhibit their creative work in science, technology, invention and the arts.

Special guests will include makers from the QC-Co-Lab, Jeff Freeland Nelson-Play From Scratch Founder and Mark Reyland, recognized industry authority on building innovation architectures between the independent inventor community and large retailers.

Faire visitors can expect to see 3-D printers, glass blowing demonstrations, robotic demonstrations, toy and electronic musical instrument hacking; a superconductor demo; liquid nitrogen smashing of fruits; persistence of vision demo’s; and much more! Our displays will focus on creative applications of technology, the arts and sciences.

“I’m very excited to come back to my hometown for the Science Center’s 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire. We are obsessed at Play from Scratch with inspiring creative kids and reminding them that they are natural makers. I’m thrilled the Center is fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, innovation, play and community at the faire, in their planned maker space and in everything they do. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

If you are a Maker and interested in sharing your work with the public, please contact Norah at Norah@crsciencecetner.org or visit makerfairecedarrapids.com.

Supporters of the event include General Mills, Shuttleworth & Ingersol, Rockwell Collins and Wells Fargo.

The Science Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday noon to 5pm. Located on Council Street the museum has ample parking and is conveniently off Blair’s Ferry Road.

Contact the Science Center at 319.363.STEM (7836) or http://www.crsciencecenter.org for more information.

The Science Center is a not-for-profit science and technology museum. The mission of the Science Center is to be an innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) based learning center providing exciting and engaging facilities and programming meant to inspire and stimulate the imagination of the children, families, school/youth groups, and the individuals they serve.

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Which maker category are you?

1: Non-Commercial Makers
Our favorite kind of Maker! These folks have NO commercial angle. That want to teach/inspire/share their passion and knowledge.

2: Crafters
Crafters are individuals with something to sell, but no interest in teaching/inspiring. They pay a reasonable fee for a small space.

3: Commercial Makers
This is our category for organizations or incorporated entities that want a presence but can show they have a strong inspirational/educational aspect to their presence. In other words, they do have something they want to promote or sell, but they are willing to really “bring the awesome”. They pay a fee.

4: Sponsor
Commercial entities that want to demo their wares in hopes of sales but aren’t primarily teaching or inspiring must attend at the Sponsor level. These folks get good placement, but since they aren’t contributing to the Maker Movement through their presence, they contribute dollars to help make the Faire happen and should be a minority of exhibitors.

Check out these great, FREE events that are part the Maker Faire!

What a cool project!

Check out this cool project that will be featured at the Maker Faire (April 19, 2014). This spray booth combines the best features of other spray booths but with some innovative features to make it more user friendly. This will be a hand on activity that you are welcome to experience. Come and learn more at our 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire! http://makerfairecedarrapids.com/

Making the maker space!

We continue to make the maker space….you can help make too! Consider getting involved in these efforts by assisting on one of our community days or volunteering to help with classes or the maker faire! Contact me for more details, norah@crsciencecenter.org.