Super Awesome Sylvia Goes to White House Science Fair

Education
Super Awesome Sylvia Goes to White House Science Fair

By Dale Dougherty

Dale Dougherty

DALE DOUGHERTY is the leading advocate of the Maker Movement. He founded Make: Magazine 2005, which first used the term “makers” to describe people who enjoyed “hands-on” work and play. He started Maker Faire in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006, and this event has spread to nearly 200 locations in 40 countries, with over 1.5M attendees annually. He is President of Make:Community, which produces Make: and Maker Faire.

In 2011 Dougherty was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change” through an initiative that honors Americans who are “doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.” At the 2014 White House Maker Faire he was introduced by President Obama as an American innovator making significant contributions to the fields of education and business. He believes that the Maker Movement has the potential to transform the educational experience of students and introduce them to the practice of innovation through play and tinkering.

Dougherty is the author of “Free to Make: How the Maker Movement Is Changing our Jobs, Schools and Minds” with Adriane Conrad. He is co-author of "Maker City: A Practical Guide for Reinventing American Cities" with Peter Hirshberg and Marcia Kadanoff.

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Congratulations to Super Awesome Sylvia, who will represent Maker Faire at the White House Science Fair, which will be held Monday April 22, 2013 at 11:30 am EDT. Sylvia Todd will bring her watercolor drawbot to the White House along with her infectious energy and enthusiasm.  

YouTube player

From wh.gov:  Watch the Science Fair live in this blog post (wh.gov/sciencefair), or at wh.gov/live, beginning at 11:30 am EDT on Monday, April 22, 2013.

We’re happy to see the growing support and recognition for young makers, especially in the context of others who demonstrate their interest in science through participation in science fairs. Sylvia says she was inspired to start making after coming to Maker Faire with her father, James. She deserves this recognition not only for her many creative projects but also for encouraging others to become makers through her many videos and public appearances. She appeared on the cover of last year’s “School’s Out” summer issue.

SchoolsOut_Cover_600
Last year, Joey Hudy represented Maker Faire and his Extreme Marshmallow Cannon, which is featured in the video above, was a big hit with President Obama.

Thanks also to Mark Greenlaw of Cognizant who nominated Sylvia.   Cognizant is a major funder of programs for young makers and the Maker Education Initiative. Mark will be organizing a panel of young makers including Super Awesome Sylvia and Joey Hudy at Maker Faire Bay Area, May 18-19.    Learn more about Cognizant’s Making the Future program (PDF document), which has provided funding for youth-oriented makerspaces and community-based summer and after-school programs aimed at engaging kids as makers.

I know the Todd family must be very proud of Sylvia. I believe the entire maker community is proud of Sylvia. She is truly Super Awesome.

Check out more of Super Awesome Sylvia on MAKE.

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By Dale Dougherty

Dale Dougherty

DALE DOUGHERTY is the leading advocate of the Maker Movement. He founded Make: Magazine 2005, which first used the term “makers” to describe people who enjoyed “hands-on” work and play. He started Maker Faire in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006, and this event has spread to nearly 200 locations in 40 countries, with over 1.5M attendees annually. He is President of Make:Community, which produces Make: and Maker Faire.

In 2011 Dougherty was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change” through an initiative that honors Americans who are “doing extraordinary things in their communities to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.” At the 2014 White House Maker Faire he was introduced by President Obama as an American innovator making significant contributions to the fields of education and business. He believes that the Maker Movement has the potential to transform the educational experience of students and introduce them to the practice of innovation through play and tinkering.

Dougherty is the author of “Free to Make: How the Maker Movement Is Changing our Jobs, Schools and Minds” with Adriane Conrad. He is co-author of "Maker City: A Practical Guide for Reinventing American Cities" with Peter Hirshberg and Marcia Kadanoff.

View more articles by Dale Dougherty
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