The Geek Group - WKTV Journal

By Christie Bender

The Grand Rapids Public Museum just announced the 2018 Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire dates for its fifth annual event, as well as the registration for makers is now open. This year’s Grand Rapids Maker Faire will take place August 18 and 19.

Maker Faire celebrates community members who are making or creating things by inviting them to share with the public what they have made. Everyone is a maker, and unfinished products are also encouraged.

Individuals and groups can now sign up at GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com. This year’s Maker Faire will be held at the Grand Rapids Public Museum and nearby Grand Valley State University’s Kennedy Hall of Engineering.

Maker Faire is looking for participants who enjoy tinkering, hacking, building and designing new technology-based inventions. Any groups or individuals interested in participating in the Maker Faire should complete the application at GrandRapids.MakerFaire.com. The Call for Makers will close on July 27.

Spots are first come, first serve basis with openings inside both the GRPM and GVSU as well as outside on the GRPM’s lawn. Makers participation is free for those showcasing. Makers interested in selling products at their booth require a small commercial fee.

Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering that celebrates community members who are making things. All of these “makers” come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned.

Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” the Grand Rapids Maker Faire is a family-friendly celebration featuring tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, hobbyists, engineers, artists, students and commercial exhibitors.

The Faire will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 18 and 19. Tickets will go on sale in early summer.

The Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is being organized by a collaborative committee that includes members from: DTE Energy, GR Makers, The Geek Group, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kent District Library, Kent Intermediate School District, Michigan Crossroads Council- Boy Scouts of America, WMCAT and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Follow the development of the Grand Rapids Maker Faire on Twitter @makerfaireGR, as well as on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/makerfairegr/ .

Grand Rapids Mini Maker Faire is independently organized and operated under license from Maker Media, Inc.

Barnes & Noble Grand Rapids will host its second annual Mini Maker Faire Nov. 5 and 6 at the Woodland Mall location, 3195 28thSt. SE.

The event is designed to deliver authentic, credible experiences that Maker Faire attendees have historically come to expect. The lineup will give customers the opportunity to “Meet the Makers” by showcasing local Makers including Quota International, The Geek Group and KDL Labs to participate in interactive product demonstrations and take part in collaborative hands-on experiences designed to stretch their imaginations and creative thinking as they work cooperatively to make something original:

Make Workspace
At Barnes & Noble Grand Rapids during the Mini Maker Faire, there will be a “Make” Workspace, which is a tech-educational expo space, where customers of all ages will be able to participate in content-driven sessions where booksellers and Makers will demo some of the leading products in modern technology. Customers will be able to experience the latest in virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing, pen-invent technology, robotics, coding, programming, and more.

Make & Collaborate, then SHARE!
This opportunity is hands-on experiences around the art of designing, handcrafting and constructing, in the spirit of collaboration, cooperative learning and teamwork. “Making Materials” featured in this portion of the event will include products from some of the leading vendors in science and technology such as littleBits, LEGO^®, Magformers, Squigz, Strawbees and Brackitz.

The Geek Group will be presenting at the Mini Maker Faire.

Meet the Makers
Throughout the Mini Maker Faire, Makers, educators and authors dedicated to changing the way people learn, ideate, design, create, build and embrace the future will visit Barnes & Noble Grand Rapids to speak about the Maker Movement, present their creations and more featuring Quota International, The Geek Group and KDL Labs.

Barnes & Noble first renewed its retail partnership with Make:, publisher of Make: magazine and producer of Maker Faire, back in 2015 to build on the huge success of last year’s inaugural retail Mini Maker Faire and continue Mini Maker Faire events in 2016. The renewed retail partnership reinforces both companies ongoing commitment to advancing tech literacy and bringing awareness to the Maker Movement, with special events, educational learning experiences and promotions throughout the year, all culminating in the second annual retail Mini Maker Faire in November.

There also will be an expanded online presence at www.bn.com/makerfaire this year, which serves as a comprehensive “site within a site,” where Making, Learning and Doing can happen year-round. The site will feature articles, video content and Maker projects that will rotate regularly.