Maker Faire Bay Area is just about a month away, taking place on May 22 and 23 at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. Every year, Maker Faire strives to inspire, educate, and entertain curious and creative learners of all ages. It celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, green design, food, music, science and technology and brings together communities who embrace the DIY spirit. One of the things I love most about the Faire is seeing all the amazed and curious young makers, their eyes lit up with inspiration at what is possible in this world. We always welcome students and teachers to come and check out all the Faire has to offer. We asked hundreds of educators, “Why do you want to come to Maker Faire?” Below is just a sampling of the responses we got. If you are an educator, check out our Educational Outreach page for more information on getting your students involved in the Faire.
“Last year I was in geek heaven. Wanna do it again. Paper airplanes, blimps, destructo-robots, flaming bubbles, flashing lights. Ah, me!”
— Barry, a high school science teacher in Emeryville
“The students do not get much exposure to art, music, technology, or other creative pursuits. I am trying to bring these activities into my classroom and give my students more opportunities. I want to come to Maker Faire to get inspired, find ideas I can implement at school, and meet like-minded makers!”
— Jessica, a middle school teacher in Oakland
“We are not real thinkers until we learn how to incorporate our human inventions into the problem-solving required of us in the future we do not know. Maker Faire is where technology, art and creativity hold hands to push the boundaries of the specialization most educational institutions force thinkers into. Keep being effortlessly original.”
— Melita, an art teacher in Corte Madera
“Art helps the students have fun, blow off some stress, and even lessen the effects of traumatic events in their lives.”
— Quarry, who works with high school students in San Francisco
“Special Education students often need hands-on experiences as motivators for learning. Attending Maker Faire will allow me to explore simple and challenging projects that I can bring back to the classroom. Many students are inspired by project-based learning. They realize math and science can be interesting, achievable and fun.”
— Amy, a special education teacher in San Mateo County
“I went last year, just as an overview…it was amazing! There was so much to see. This year I want to focus on projects that are inspired by Green themes…recycled and rediscovered.”
— Kirsten, a high school art teacher in San Francisco
“I took my students to Education Day. It was an amazing experience for them. They got to see and experience the creations. The highlight was talking to the Makers.”
— Saber, a science teacher in San Francisco
“Maker Faire is the perfect combination of art, science, and hands-on learning that students can experience with their parents. My family attended the Bay Area fair last year for the first time and spent 8 solid hours of non-stop exploration. I wanted all my sons’ peers to have the opportunity to experience such an amazing learning opportunity.”
— Deborah, a parent and PTA member in Santa Cruz
“As the enrichment teacher, my goal is to find unique and creative ways in which to make my students active learners in the areas of math and science. I encourage my students to be risk-takers, and to explore their inquiries through experimenting and problem-solving. Each year I encourage my students to attend Maker Faire because I feel Maker Faire is doing what I strive to do within my classroom.”
— Amanda, a Elementary School teacher in Hillsborough
ADVERTISEMENT
