Any Makers in Brattleboro?

by CarlyC | Questions & Answers | 2288 Views

I participated in a Maker Faire on Cape Cod this weekend – wondering if anyone has tried to get a group going in Brattleboro? Seems like we have a lot of people around here who could contribute awesome exhibits and it’s a nice family-friendly attraction. The small Faire last weekend drew about 1000 people.

 

Comments | 10

  • Submitted by cgrotke on April 29, 2014 at 10:54 am

    There are

    We tried to get something going at the Estey museum for makers a couple of years ago, but I think it was ahead of its time. There were interested people, but it didn’t come together very well.

    We did run a few classes and workshops, and they were fun for those who did attend. We also made contact with other Vermont makers (Burlington is getting ahead of us!)

    I still think it is a natural for this area – to have experts in all sorts of things teach those who want to learn about those skills. We have the experts hidden away about town, and we have people who could benefit from making things.

    • Submitted by KAlden on April 29, 2014 at 11:09 am

      Excuse my ignorance but could

      Excuse my ignorance but could you elaborate on what a ‘Makers Faire” is?
      thanks!

    • Submitted by CarlyC on April 29, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      Hopefully it will come back around

      Good to know, thanks Chris. Maybe now that the movement has picked up some steam it will resurface locally. It’s a blast for adults, and we have a need for some more positive things for kids to do around here – the young people who participated last weekend did some really cool stuff. School groups can get involved. Everyone can make something.

      My friends’ strategy to develop the Maker community on the Cape was to start with a Faire and to use the success to generate interest in developing the community. They are currently looking at spaces to lease and equipment to purchase.

      Could be a great thing for Brattleboro.

    • Submitted by Rolf on May 6, 2014 at 2:43 am

      Maybe someday we will get that "Make a UFAUX" class going

      The idea of Estey Labs was excellent.
      Brattleboro still does seem like a natural place for this.

      Maybe someday we will get that “Make a UFAUX” class going. I think it would behoove us to actually succeed at lofting an amazing, newsworthy UFAUX first. We are getting closer.

  • Submitted by rapjr on April 29, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    starting a makerspace is a good idea

    This is a great idea! One issue to look into is liability. If you’re going to have a workshop where kids and adults can build robots and tesla coils and electronic circuits and use power tools there are some dangers involved. For example some makerspaces have gotten hold of old factory robots and reconditioned them. These robots can move very fast and have powerful motors and need safety precautions to operate them safely. You want to make sure that people doing the more risky things have the training to do them safely, and that if anyone does get hurt the legal liabilities have already been clearly defined and signed off on. However there are lots of fun things to build (try a web search on “Arduino”) that are safer for getting a space started before building up the capabilities to try more complex projects. There are a lot of resources online to help with getting a space started: http://makerspace.rutgers.edu/content/start-makerspace

  • Submitted by Caleb Clark on May 4, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    BAM

    Yes! The Brattleboro Area Makers are a small group of folks who are makers. We’re looking to meet monthly and currently looking for a good day as Monday’s got tied up.

    Join the group here and we’ll be in touch with meeting times: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Brattleboro-Area-Makers-BAM-7471296

    We’re using LinkedIn as a group HQ because we think it best networks professional connections and that will help build support in the most tangitble ways when people see the bios of the great makers in Brattleboro.

    Contact me anytime: cclark@marlboro.edu
    I teach a maker class to K12 teachers at Marlboro’s grad school downtown: http://gradschool.marlboro.edu/academics/edtech/faculty

    Here’s a video of a fellow Maker of mine at his Maker lab at a girls school in NYC: http://youtu.be/WNri9sZ6jLA

    • Submitted by CarlyC on May 5, 2014 at 9:11 am

      Oh Cool!

      I knew there had to be makers around here. I probably should have started with you. I’ve met you, I’ve been in your house (Home Energy Challenge Tour.) I have also looked into your program at Marlboro – I am a former high school teacher and mathematician looking to find a creative niche for myself in the education scene in Brattleboro. I was actually just speaking about you with a mutual acquaintance last week, so this is all quite good timing.

      Thanks for the links, I will be in touch soon,
      Carly Chickering

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