RTP Hackers & Founders meetup this week

Date: Friday, January 21, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: O'Malley's Tavern in Raleigh
RSVP at Meetup.com

RTP Hackers & Founders is a group dedicated to hackers and business people who are interested in or involved in the startup scene. If you're one of those looking to connect with the other, or just someone interested in the startup community--investors, academics, journalists, etc.--you're welcome. Meet at O'Malley's for a few hours of networking, beer, food, and hacking. Don't forget your laptop!

If you can't make this one, follow @rtp_hack_found on Twitter to get updated about future meetups.

Durham's Splat Space Participates in Cupcake Challenge

Splat Space, a new technology-focused non-profit in Downtown Durham, will be hosting an open technology "hackathon" featuring a world-wide cupcake challenge at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 15th. This event is open to the public.

The hackathon will include a full day of collaboration and innovation amongst anyone interested in electronics, computers, crafts, or even cupcakes!

As part of the hackathon, Splat Space will be participating in a Cupcake Challenge sponsored by the global makerspace and hackerspace movement at hackerspaces.org. This movement unifies and promotes physical locations, like Durham’s Splat Space, to form and exist as hubs of technology and creativity worldwide. There are hackerspaces and makerspaces all over the world, from Los Angeles to Tokyo. Durham opened its own makerspace, Splat Space, in September of 2010.

For the Cupcake Challenge, all the hackerspaces and makerspaces in the world have been challenged to ship a cupcake over 1,000 miles to another hackerspace. The goal of the challenge is for the cupcake to arrive in delicious and pristine condition. The cupcake must adhere to a strict set of challenge rules and will be judged by the receiving hackerspace based on creativity, quality, taste, appearance, and condition.

In addition to points accrued for judging criteria, additional challenge points are awarded for the distance the cupcake travels. Splat Space members will be sending their cupcake to a hackerspace in Tokyo, Japan, approximately 7,000 miles away. According to Splat Space members, everyone has been hard at work devising a plan to best stabilize, bake, and decorate a cupcake that will truly wow their friends in Tokyo. More information on the challenge can be found on their website at http://splatspace.org.

According to SplatSpace.org, Splat Space is a "work, play, and hobby space where people with common interests, primarily in technology, can meet to socialize and collaborate." Splat Space boasts a membership of some of the Triangle's most creative, technology-minded professionals and hobbyists.

Splat Space is located at 331 W. Main St. in Downtown Durham below Beyu Caffe in the historic Snow Building.



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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