Makers are the creators and problem-solvers of tomorrow, inspiring students to address the nation’s challenges with a STEM-focused approach.
The second annual National Week of Making, June 17-23, coincides with the National Maker Faire, June 18-19.
The goal is to “celebrate the tinkerers and dreamers whose talent and drive have brought new ideas to life, and we recommit to cultivating the next generation of problem solvers,” President Obama said last year. “To continue to build a nation of makers, we are committed to engaging students at every level in the hands-on learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to inspire them to pursue their own passions and excel in STEM fields.”
Federal agencies involved in the National Maker Faire in Washington, D.C., include Department of Education, National Science Foundation, Small Business Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Health and Human Services, National Endowment of the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
“One of the things that makes America so strong is our spirit of innovation,” said Obama, “our drive to invent and harness new technologies to tackle our greatest challenges.”
Previous Maker Faires have addressed how to:
- Help Makers launch new businesses and create jobs.
- Expand the number of students that have the opportunity to become Makers.
- Challenge Makers to tackle the nation’s most pressing problems.
