One of the many attractions at last spring’s Westport’s MakerFaire was a prototype of a new Connecticut license plate. It reads (cleverly) “State of Innovation.”
The Department of Motor Vehicles recently approved the request for the special plate. Organizers are now taking orders for them.
The cost is $85 for a standard license plate, $154 for a vanity license plate.A portion of the proceeds goes to Remarkable STEAM, the non-profit behind the Westport Mini Maker Faire.
Organizers need 400 orders for the state DMV to proceed. For more information — or to order your “State of Innovation” plate — click here.
Up to 10,000 science, math, music, robotics, environment, agriculture, art, drone, woodworking, etc. geeks — of all ages, genders, and from more than 100 miles away — descended on Westport today.
The 5th annual Mini Maker Faire made our town the center of the creative universe — okay, the creative region.
Demonstrations, exhibits, games, food — it was all there, at the Westport Library and Jesup Green.
It continues all afternoon (Saturday, April 30), until 4 p.m. There may still be time to get your geek on!
Outside the main tent, a “human foosball” game was played. As in many real soccer games, the goalie is bored.
A Maker Faire luthier introduces a young boy to the wonders of music.
A father and son bond over physics.
A self-proclaimed Kool Nerd.
Indoors and out, the Maker Faire took over the Westport Library and Jesup Green.
Among the exhibitors. Norwalk Hospital volunteers offered free CPR training.
Some youngsters found a way to “make” their own fun.
Westport’s 4th annual Mini Maker Faire is in full swing today. Up to 6,000 creative, inventive folks of all ages are expected to flood Jesup Green and the library. They’ll spend the day building, designing, creating, hacking, learning, connecting, eating, drinking, listening and playing.
And that’s just at one of the hundreds of interactive, interdisciplinary, interesting exhibits.
The Maker Faire runs till 4 p.m. today (Saturday, April 25). The inspiration will last forever.
“The Great Fredini” is constructing an entire scale model of Coney Island, with a 3D printer. Faire-goers could have their own body scanned — and printed — to be included.
Anyone can play regular foosball. It takes a certain type of person to be part of a human foosball game.
Getting set for the Nerdy Derby: a Pinewood Derby with no rules.
A scavenger hunt includes — naturally — QR codes. As noted, this event was developed by kids. Participants earned a free download of digital goodies; the randomly selected 1st prize was a gift certificate to robotics camp.
Where can you find a real live cello-maker? At the Maker Faire, of course.
Sometimes it was fun just to play with a low-tech toy: the sculpture outside the library.
It’s crunch week, as organizers get ready for Saturday’s 4th annual Mini Maker Faire.
6,000 attendees are expected at Connecticut’s largest event focused on creativity and innovation.
Naturally, you can expect the unexpected. Like a Human Foosball table, a Nerdy Derby (Pinewood Derby with no rules), and Marshamllow Shooters.
It takes human beings to design and make a Human Foosball Table. Hard at work last weekend were (from left) Cecilia Fung, Kerstin Rao, Michael Miller, Vijay Rao and Jeff Boak.
The event has quickly become a highlight on Westport’s annual calendar. Over 100 “Maker” exhibitors — specializing in arts and crafts, science and engineering, robots and rockets, electric cars, boats, sustainable living, even puppets — will open their arms to anyone who likes to tinker (or hang out with those who do).
It’s a family friendly day — meaning (of course) there’s food and music too.
Need another reason to go? If you register for free tickets online (to help make sure there’s enough “stuff” for everyone) — and bring your printed-out ticket to the Maker Faire — you’ll be entered in a contest to win a 3D printer.
You were expecting maybe a gift certificate? How un-Faire.
The Mini Maker Faire is this Saturday (April 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Jesup Green and the Westport Library. Click here for more information.
Everywhere you looked, something was happening. Thousands of people poured through Jesup Green and the library, awed by the creativity (and enjoying the fun) on display at the 2nd annual Mini Maker Faire.
This plane is one of 2 made last summer in the library’s new maker space, under the direction of Joe Schott. It’s a permanent addition to the ceiling — unless it decides to fly off somewhere.
There were tons of hands-on activiites, for kids of all ages.
Staples senior Guerric Vornle von Haagenfels is a self-taught blacksmith. He forged ahead on the banks of the river.
Not far away, at the Town Farm complex, Westport’s 1st Little League Challenger team — for boys and girls with physical or mental challenges, and their “buddies” — played its opening game, against Stamford. Ceremonies included balloons, music, the national anthem, and a 1st pitch thrown by Staples junior (and Challenger organizer) Jack Cody.
Westport Winner Rebecca Yormark and her buddy, Quincy Stein.
Challenger player Jack Theriault has a ball, with Natalie Schenck and Luke Yokai.
Hillary Lipper shares a laugh with Coach Scott.
Then it was on to the Blu Parrot, for Westport’s 1st-ever Electric Car Rally.
We think of electric cars as cutting-edge (and from Japan or Detroit). This Columbia Electric car on display today was built in 1907 — in Hartford.
Blu Parrot owner Adam Lubarsky fed everyone at the rally sliders, wings and more. He also manned the grill.
President Kennedy once welcomed a gaggle of Nobel Prize winners to the White House as “the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”
You could say the same thing about the upcoming Mini Maker Faire.
This Brooklyn Aerodrome contraption was part of last year’s Maker Faire.
The event — set for Saturday, April 27 (10 a.m.-4 p.m., Westport Library and Jesup Green) brings together science, crafts, arts, engineering, technology, music and workshops.
It’s a hands-on celebration for everyone who has ever built something, created something, or appreciates those who have.
A hundred or so “Makers” will strut their stuff. Those from Westport include
Staples and middle schools robotics teams
Ben Shay, a Staples student demonstrating a home-built scuba diving propulsion unit)
Guerric Vornle von Haagenfels, also fromStaples, exhibiting blacksmithing techniques (if the fire marshal approves)
Tim Walker, displaying antique and modern amateur radio equipment
There’s plenty more, like a dancer who wears a body suit that translates movements into sound and graphics; solar-powered race cars; 3D printing, and an artist who carves images into the lead at the end of a pencil.
A few spots remain. If you’ve got a do-it-yourself project you want to share — and are not intimidated by all the Thomas Jefferson-types above — click here for a submission form. Entries close March 28.
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