New Hampshire has always drawn creative individuals to it, not only because of the inspirational landscape, but because of the state’s ongoing support of companies and entrepreneurs who believe in the power of “making.” That spirit of making is alive and thriving today and will be put on full display at the third annual Dover Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, August 29, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This is not your typical “Ferris wheel and cotton candy” fair. This is a hands-on festival for all ages, and in the tradition of Maker Faires, celebrates the thriving resourcefulness, innovation, creativity and forward-thinking technology that can be found in New Hampshire today.
My family and I went to the Dover Maker Faire last year and we had a BLAST! My son brought 2 friends and they had so much fun they didn’t want to leave. It’s amazing the things that kids can do with a little motivation and imagination and problem solving skills!
The Dover Mini Maker Faire will take over downtown Dover, with four locations: upper and lower Henry Law Park, The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, and One Washington Mill. Maker Faire attendees will be able to experience everything from vintage tech with a modern twist to turning wood; antique tools to robots; 3D chocolate printers to recycled art; R2D2 to the Ghostbusters; virtual reality devices to handcrafted magic wands; driving remotely operated naval vehicles to hands on craft and tech challenges, and so much more. From engineering and product design, to arts, crafts, technology and homesteading, Maker Faire is the place to be inspired and connect with your inner maker!
The boys at the Dover Mini Maker Faire in 2014
2015 marks the 3rd annual Dover Mini Maker Faire. The first Maker Faire was hosted in the Bay Area of California in 2006 as a place for makers to show what they made and share what they learned. In 2013, 100 independently-produced Mini (one day events) and Featured (2 or more day events) occurred around the World. In fact, this year’s Dover Mini Maker Faire is scheduled on the weekend between Cape Town, South Africa and Brighton, United Kingdom Faires. A licensed event through Maker Media, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is the host and coordinator of the Granite State’s only Maker Faire at this time.
Be sure to visit the Children’s Museum on NH anytime of year, but especially on Saturday, August 29th!
Here is a sampling of the 60+ makers and maker activities scheduled to happen at this year’s August 29th Faire in Dover:
Raspberry Pi Guy – Dan Norris will be back at this year’s Maker Faire to demonstrate his mini Raspberry Pi FM broadcast station. Participants will be able to use the project to broadcast messages to a nearby FM receiver. He will also be bringing a “super computer” cluster, a panoramic DSLR camera system, and an RGB LED matrix message screen, where people will be able to type in messages and have them appear on the screen.
High Voltage and Wireless Electricity – Meet Forrest Veilleux, a 12-year-old homeschooler who loves to scavenge old electronic parts and build working projects with what he finds! He will be demonstrating many of his creations, including the Solid State Tesla Coil, Jacob’s Ladder, Slayer Exciters, High Voltage Flyback Driver, Joule Thief, and High Voltage Capacitor Flash Circuit. Come see sparks and light, while hearing the cracking sounds of high-voltage electricity! Observers will also get the opportunity to hold florescent tubes and watch them light up wirelessly at varying distances.
Snap Circuits with UNH InterOperability Laboratory – Come and learn about the basics of electrical engineering and circuitry with members of the UNH-IOL. Attendees will use snap circuits from kits to blink lights, spin fans, and play music.
New Hampshire Destination Imagination – New Hampshire Destination Imagination encourages students from kindergarten through college to have fun, take risks, focus, frame, and solve challenges with their education. Incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), they are focused on 21st century learning programs that promote teamwork and prototyping. They will be bringing a hands-on activity to Maker Faire called “The Grape Crusher,” where participants will design and create a protective device to keep a grape from being crushed. Other similar activities will be offered as well.
R2 Builders Club – Maker Faire attendees will once again be able to spot R2D2 roaming around the Museum during the event! R2 Builders Club is an international community who build their own replica robots of the iconic Star Wars character. When you see R2 and his builder, be sure to talk to them to learn more about how he was made!
Compressed Air Rockets – Come build your own rocket (that you can keep) and launch it as many times as you like in Henry Law Park! Using just a regular sheet of copy paper and humble masking tape, create a rocket that will fly hundreds of feet in the air. We’ll supply the materials to make the rocket, you supply the creativity to make the rocket your own. Experiment with different fin designs, different nose cones and find out what works the best and flies the highest. There is no charge for this activity, but small donations to cover the cost of materials is appreciated. Air Rocket Glider ARG kits and compressed air rocket launchers will be available for purchase as well.
Future Tech Women – Future Tech Women is a NH-based group of women and men in technology who empower the next generation of women technologists through inclusive initiatives that drive awareness and advancement of women in technology-related fields. They will have hands-on activities teaching kids about tech-related careers, including a career wheel, fortune teller, surveys and a recommended reading list for all ages! Future Tech Women will also have a Maker Faire Scavenger Hunt for kids to complete and win prizes!
Observe the Weather with Mount Washington Observatory – Join Mount Washington Observatory to learn how you can observe the weather in your own backyard and learn how meteorologists observe the extreme weather on the summit of Mount Washington. An Observatory educator will lead an activity at the top of every hour to observe current weather conditions (including temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and precipitation). Record your own observations on an official form and the Observatory will actually send your data in to be used in weather forecasts!
Advance tickets are now on sale for $10 and tickets at the gate will be $12. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.makerfairedover.com.
For more information on the Dover Mini Maker Faire, please call 603-742-2002 or visit www.makerfairedover.com
Hope to see you there!!
