Today the Obama Administration announced its plan to host a Maker Faire at the White House this year.
Details are still in the works, but the White House tapped 16-year-old maker Joey Hudy to help spread the news. Joey sat with First Lady Michelle Obama at last week’s State of the Union address. And two years ago Joey wowed Obama with his marshmallow cannon at the White House Science fair.
As you might expect, Joey is thrilled.
“I’m so excited, he said. “This is amazing and I’m glad I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore. I’m very glad and honored that I got to be the one announcing it.”
Joey said Maker Faire shows kids how much fun making can be.
“This Maker Faire will help more schools and the world understand how important science technology and engineering education (STEM) is,” he said. “The maker movement is the future.”
Of course we’re pretty thrilled, too. Maker Faire and the maker movement in general are all about celebrating innovation and the creative spirit in all of us. Having the White House as a partner will help expose more people to what making is all about.
In a blog post about the news written by Tom Kalil, deputy director for technology and innovation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Jason Miller, special assistant to the president for manufacturing policy at the National Economic Council, they explain:
We will release more details on the event soon, but it will be an opportunity to highlight both the remarkable stories of Makers like Joey and commitments by leading organizations to help more students and entrepreneurs get involved in making things.
To get involved they’re asking makers to send pictures or videos of their creations, as well as descriptions of how they are are working to advance the maker movement, to maker@ostp.gov, or on Twitter using the hashtag #IMadeThis.
Kalil and Miller also announced that later this year the Obama Administration will launch “an all-hands-on-deck effort to provide even more students and entrepreneurs access to the tools, spaces, and mentors needed to make.”
Flame-spitting horses and a car-smashing robot hand probably won’t make it past White House security, but 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue offers a great venue for makers to showcase their stuff. What kind of exhibits would you like to see featured at the fair? Post your suggestions in the comments below.
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