TechShop RDU to Close

Our friends and sponsor since our first event, TechShop RDU, are closing their doors on Saturday April 20.  Below is an email that I sent out to our mailing list.  I encourage you to share your fond memories of TechShop in the comments.  A "wake" is even planned for Saturday night.

The Maker Culture in North Carolina is an unstoppable force of creativity and that is especially true in the Triangle region: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.  This concentration of talented and intelligent people is one of the reasons that the community workshop, TechShop, opened its doors in 2009 as TechShop Durham.  TechShop RDU is closing its doors on Saturday, April 20.

TechShop in Raleigh/Durham was a bold experiment.  It was a bold experiment whose driving force, Scott Saxon, answered the question of "should we?" with a pioneering rallying call of "OF COURSE WE SHOULD!"

TechShop RDU was a rallying point for all of the Triangle Makerati and it holds a very dear place in my heart.  Maker Faire North Carolina was created in the halls of TechShop in October of 2009.  We were born from a conversation: "Should we have a Maker Faire like those people in Rhode Island?"  My answer?  "OF COURSE WE SHOULD!" and now, four years later, we are planning our fourth epic event.

The pioneering spirit is vital to Makers.  It is our lifeblood.  Makers will make.  Doers will do. We Makers always answer the question of "why?" with "because I can!" and never back down from a challenge.

TechShop RDU didn't fail.  TechShop RDU sparked a fire in the Makers of North Carolina the likes of which I've never seen.  It launched projects, products, careers, and grand ideas.

It is up to our community to carry that momentum on to the next build, the next iteration: version 2.0.  One of you on this mailing list will be the founder of a new hackerspace, makerspace, or community workshop because, as I'll always say, Makers Gonna Make.

Sincerely,
Jon Danforth
Founder, Maker Faire North Carolina (created at TechShop RDU)

Community Reminder: TechShop RDU PARTY this weekend!

Here's just a quick reminder that the TechShop RDU Third anniversary party is happening this Saturday!

We'll be celebrating this Saturday, 4/21, rain or shine, from 12-5 PM! Food, Pinewood Derby, class specials, and live music; plus, $3.00 pints of any draft beer from Roth Brewing! Bring the family; don't miss it!

TechShop parties are always a ton of fun.  The "Few Rules" Pinewood Derby is always a big hit and the food is plentiful and delicious.

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Welcome HackingSpot.com

I'm pleased to welcome our newest sponsor for Maker Faire: North Carolina, HackingSpot.com.

HackingSpot.com is your online source for electronic components for hackers and professionals alike. Same-day shipping for most orders and no minimum order is required.  Get your hack on!

I have often pined for a local source to get electronic components and this place has it all.  Resistors, TRIACs, Arduino, prototyping supplies, LEDs... the list goes on.  Thank you, HackingSpot.com, for supporting Maker Faire: North Carolina 2011.

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.