On July 23, 2016, Boston Children's Museum is proud to host the city's first official Maker Faire. Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of creative doers - tech enthusiasts, designers, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, crafters, students, commercial exhibitors, and more. All of these "makers" come to Maker Faire to show what they have made and to share what they have learned. Maker Faires are community-based learning events that inspire everyone to think creatively and innovatively, and connect with people and projects in their local community.
Maker Faire is primarily designed to be forward-looking, showcasing makers who are exploring new forms and new technologies. But it's not just for the novel in technical fields; Maker Faire features innovation and experimentation across the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance, and craft. Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. It's a venue for makers to show examples of their work and interact with others about it. Many makers say they have no other place to share what they do. DIY (Do-It-Yourself) is often invisible in our communities, taking place in shops, garages and on kitchen tables. It's typically out of the spotlight of traditional art or science or craft events. Maker Faire makes visible these projects and ideas that we don't encounter every day.
The Boston Mini Maker Faire is a kind of marketplace of possibilities, where both children AND adults will be exposed to the amazing, the ingenious, and the captivating; where you can shop around for creative endeavors you may not have thought possible. Children will find that future self they can aspire to, whether it be an artist, engineer, hobbyist or world-changing inventor of marvelous things. Adults will find inspiration to spark their own creativity. And parents will see their kids in a new light, as they try, test, and stretch their minds in new and exciting directions. And most of all - it will be a whole lot of fun.
