MIT Mini Maker Faire Celebrates the Artist, the Scholar, and the Smith

Last weekend was the first-ever MIT Mini Maker Faire, and it proved that the event was way overdue. The all-day affair filled three circus tents and an inflatable mylar structure. The 110 exhibits, from both MIT and local makers, included robots, jewelry, origami, wearable electronics, sculpture, musical instruments, and 3D printers. There were also robot battles, go-kart races, on-the-hour MIT maker space tours, and panel discussions. Various MIT luminaries stopped in. MIT provost Martin Schmidt spoke at the event.

Professor Marty Culpepper, who’s known as the “maker czar” of the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, toured the entire event, slowly, with his two children, taking it all in.

“What amazes me is the diversity of stuff I’m seeing,” he said. “Everything from swords and pillows, to a Van der Graaf generator that plays music.”

A team of 12 organizers, aided by 80 volunteers, pulled the event off.

“More than half of the exhibitors are MIT students, or alums,” said head organizer Jessica Artiles. “They are not here because of a lack of homework, they are here because they want to share and engage with people.”

A huge variety of vehicles were buzzing around the Faire grounds. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

Lego creations created by kids, floated on a “Sky Parade” tramway built by a few members of the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. (photo by Erica Tremblay)

A popular “Mineways” display showed how to make Minecraft real. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

The legendary MIT Hobby Show, established in 1938, was represented. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

Serious technology alternated with crafts and costumes. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

The Computer Clubhouse, based at The Boston Museum of Science, hosted a popular cardboard and LED workshop. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

Cambridge Hackspace displayed fascinating Internet of Things hacks. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

Artisan’s Asylum, a giant makerspace located nearby, in Somerville, Massachusetts, displayed projects created by members. (photo: Joshua Ramos)

Jessica said she didn’t mind the lack of sleep that went into organizing the Faire.

“What you see here,” she said, “is that little extra bit of passion that makes us all stay up all night.”

As he walked around the Faire, Prof. Culpepper pointed out that the event perfectly matched the MIT mission.

“At MIT we celebrate the artist, the scholar, and the smith,” he said. “You’ve got all of that here.”