Making Their Way: Creating a Generation of “Thinkerers…

Rise above oneself and grasp the world – Archimedes. Making is making a comeback. A cornucopia of fabrication and tech labs public and private, are sprouting throughout the country. Maker Faires–sprawling outdoor extravaganzas that combine the atmosphere of a medieval fair with old low-tech and new high-tech garages–are bringing makers of all ages together to share their work and their learning (makerfaire.com). These new expressions of “thinkering” bring the wizened tinkerer and the tech-savvy youth together in playful competitions that range from the serious and sublime to the deliberately frivolous and outrageous. Fab labs provide makers with easy access to powerful and expensive technology tools in a community of like-minded minds.