Welcome TechShop RDU!

I want to extend a hearty welcome to our newest sponsor for Maker Faire:NC 2011, TechShop RDU!

TechShop is a 20,000 square-foot membership-based workshop, located right by the RDU Airport between Raleigh and Durham, that provides members with access to tools and equipment, instruction, and a creative and supportive community of like-minded people so you can build the things you have always wanted to make. TechShop is designed for everyone, regardless of their skill level. TechShop is perfect for inventors, “makers”, hackers, tinkerers, artists, roboteers, families, entrepreneurs, youth groups, FIRST robotic teams, arts and crafts enthusiasts, and anyone else who ever wanted to do something, but couldn’t.

TechShop RDU is a returning sponsor this year.  Show them some love!  Thanks, TechShop RDU!

School for Hackers

Here's an article that promotes the idea of hands-on learning for our young'uns.  The article points out that according, at least, to researcher Peter Gray traditional education in the USA leans more toward scholarly pursuits than making things... and that that's a problem.  In his own words: "in the narrowest sense of the word, meaning someone who spends their time reading and writing. Of course, most people are not scholars. We survive by doing things.”

There's plenty of research cited in the article pointing towards the value of project-based hands-on education.  I heartily suggest you read it.

The Triangle is alight with organizations (both non-profit and commercial) providing supplemental education to grownups that weren't offered Shop Class and likewise to our children who won't be offered the same.

Choices include Raleigh's TechShop RDU, Durham's SeeSaw Studio, the newly-founded Durham Hackerspace, WoodCraft, Student U, Citizen Schools, and, of course, long-time proponents (before it was cool!) of hands-on education from the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H.  I'm sure there are more.  How about put them in the comments?

Just last night my six-year old was operating the drill press with considerable precision. Teach your children to make things. Our kids are more capable than you might think.

Reminder: Triangle Hackerspace Planning Meeting is Tonight

Just a friendly reminder that the first planning session for the Triangle Hackerspace is tonight.  The kickoff meeting for the project will be at 6:45 PM in Durham and will be held at Relevance.  See our original post for more in-depth information.

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Near-Space Aerial Photography Meetup

There's going to be a meeting at TechShop RDU on Sunday at 6:00pm to discuss the feasability of launching a scientific balloon to "near-space" (70-100k feet).  The plan, so far, is to "launch balloon; take photos" but hopefully it will turn into a pretty rockin' project.  There is a thread on their forum.

If you have any interest in discussing the project come on by TechShop RDU on Sunday.  You don't have to be a member to attend the meetup but you will need to register as a visitor.

Here's a video for a little inspiration.

Knickknack: A Story of Durham's Creative Reuse

Students at the Summer 2010 Documentary Video Institute at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke Universtiy produced a terrific video profile of our good friends and Maker Faire:NC 2010 exhibitors The Scrap Exchange.

Knickknack: A Story of Durham's Creative Reuse from Center for Documentary Studies on Vimeo.

By Jametta Davis and Victoria Fleischer

The Scrap Exchange, a "creative reuse" center, collects discarded industrial materials for use by individuals in the community, as well as arts programs and workshops. Created by students at the Summer 2010 Documentary Video Institute.