Thoughts and musings from readers like you.Page 06

Makeblock’s Jasen Wang is the prototype for a new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs.Page 08

Explore the amazing world of backyard technology.Page 10

Makers are reinventing and reimagining the process of discovery.Page 14

UAVs aren’t just for bombs. Meet the nonprofit building robot airplanes to fly supplies to war-torn Syria.Page 18

Intel’s CEO is launching a build-off reality TV show with a $1 million prize.Page 23

BotFactory’s integrated desktop circuit builder, Squink, is a rapid prototyping powerhouse.Page 24

Amateur scientists have more opportunity to explore our cosmos than ever.Page 26

Lessons learned from building a backyard Dobsonian telescope.Page 28

Bill Nyeʼs quest to solve one of the persistent barriers to space exploration.Page 32

Track a hacked Canon camera to the stratosphere and bring it back safely.Page 36

Adam Savage geeks out with author Andy Weir about his upcoming MacGyver-in-space movie, The Martian.Page 40

Practice these projects before you head to the red planet.Page 44

Big rewards await your ingenuity.Page 45

Makers are building their way to outer space right now — and so can you. Page 46

Help save the Earth from annihilation.Page 48

Supercharge your skill set with tried-and-true techniques to help you conquer your next project with ease.Page 49

Build a mesmerizing, fluid-filled turntable that shows turbulent flow patterns.Page 58

Grow fish, fruits, and veggies in this compact, automated system.Page 62

Use household items to build an inexpensive water-powered rocket that can soar a 100mph.Page 68

This simple circuit switches an LED on when the lights go out.Page 72

Build a multifunction sound synthesizer using a surprisingly fun audio chip.Page 74

3D print this 1872 replica Electro-Magnetic Engine that works like your drone's motor.Page 76

Print a PLA wind-up motor, a small desktop vacuum, and a hand-crank model jet engine.Page 77

Skip the store-bought couplings and make these easy DIY fiber hookups.Page 78

Build a cloud chamber at home and detect cosmic ray particles.Page 80

Make a sweet candy-holding jet pack for Halloween.Page 81

Build this simple surveyor’s instrument that made the first accurate maps on Earth.Page 82

Part craft and part kitchen experiment, growing your own crystals is an easy DIY project.Page 84

Upcycle a foam picnic plate into a flying falcon!Page 85

Powered precision screwdriver, PCB soldering kit, and more useful gear.Page 86

Giant hackable hexbugs, colored breakaway headers, and a two-wheeled robot chassis.Page 88

Read up on drones, electronics, open-source hardware, and more.Page 89

CNC micro mill, paper airplane propellers, and more in our store.Page 90

The Velleman Vertex K8400 is a low-priced dual-head printer kit that gets very good results. Page 92

This handmade electronic clock is a painstaking work of engineering art.Page 96