The word about tonight’s State of the Union address is that President Obama will put forth a modest agenda. Don’t look for any moonshots, insiders say. That may be the case, but the annual presidential address is going to be a big deal for makers everywhere and one young maker in particular.
Sixteen-year-old Joey Hudy has been invited to sit with First Lady Michelle Obama as one of her guests of honor. We don’t know what Obama will say about Joey or makers in general. No doubt he has fond memories of the first time he met Joey at the White House Science Fair in 2012:
I wonder if Obama will take the opportunity of his speech to highlight the work Joey and other makers are doing to help reinvigorate science, education, and manufacturing in America. We shall see.
We’re big fans of Joey here at MAKE. Not only is he a Maker Faire mainstay, but he designed a great SMD LED Arduino shield kit and he’s promised that more kits are in the works. Earlier this month, Joey was named Intel’s youngest intern. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich reportedly offered him the job on the spot after seeing his exhibit at World Maker Faire New York.
Joey’s trip to Washington doesn’t end with Obama’s speech. Tomorrow he and other makers will be attending the 2nd annual State of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (“SoSTEM”) event at the White House. At SoSTEM, more than 100 DC-area middle- and high-school students will have an opportunity to hear from and ask questions of John P. Holdren, President Obama’s Science Advisor, Todd Park, US Chief Technology Officer, and a select group of makers and young scientists.
After tonight’s speech Joey has promised to write a blog post about his experience for MAKE. Be on the look out for that later tonight.
Go, Joey!
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