Meet a Maker May 19 at The University of Akron Wayne College

Need to know

WHAT: Maker Faire

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20

Where: The University of Akron Wayne College, 1901 Smucker Road.

Cost: Free admission

More info: Follow Maker Faire Wayne County on all social media platforms to stay up-to-date on upcoming events.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY WAYNE COUNTY STEAM PLAYLAB

For the second year in a row, the Wayne County STEAM Playlab, which continues to progress toward an opening date, will have a booth at Maker Faire Wayne County and will bring with them their popular Spin Art Bike.

 

 

ORRVILLE  Enjoy some hands-on fun and learn a thing or two at Maker Faire Wayne County May 20 at The University of Akron Wayne College, 1901 Smucker Road.

Maker Faire Wayne County is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness and a celebration of the Maker Movement, according to information provided by Tom Hammond, Maker Faire coordinator.

Primarily designed for showcasing makers who are exploring new forms and technologies, the gathering includes tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science club members, authors, artists, students and commercial exhibitors.

This free event invites people of all ages to learn, discover, create and play along with makers and creators from across the region. The aim of Maker Faire is to entertain, inform, connect and grow this community.

“Maker Faire provides an opportunity to share projects and ideas we don’t encounter every day,” according to Hammond. “It is a venue for makers to show examples of their work and interact with others.”

Some makers will be selling items and Bumble Bees Sweet Shop, Cheezylicious, Kimmi’s Custom Sweets and Treats, and Otts Coffee will also be there.

About 60 makers coming to Maker Faire Wayne County include the Smithie Art Club, Orrville Public Library, Mishler Weaving Mill, Wayne College 3D Lab, Akron Makerspace, Wayne Center for the Arts, Romich Foundation Makerspace, Apple Creek Historical Society Makerspace, Orrville Railroad Heritage Society, Orrville Historical Society, Orrville Community Theater, The Wilderness Center Woodcarvers, Schantz Maker Space, WCSCC RAMTEC Robotics, Zips Racing Electric and much more.

For the second year in a row, the Wayne County STEAM Playlab, which continues to progress toward an opening date, will have a booth at the fair and will bring with them their popular Spin Art Bike.

“Families can stop by and do spin art, as well as a couple other fun projects,” Lori Colon, founder, CEO and board chairperson of the Wayne County STEAM Playlab, said in an email.

Colon provided an update on the much-anticipated 30,000 square-foot children’s museum in eastern Wayne County, which is housed in the multi-use building near the popular Dutch Kitchen restaurant along U.S. 30. Other businesses that recently opened in the LincWay building, include J & Co. Hair Studio and Spa, LincWay Art Studio, LincWay Workspace and LincWay Café & Market. Delight Howells is the LincWay director and more information about LincWay is at lincway.us and Wayne County Children’s STEAM Playlab is at wccsp.org.

“The Playlab continues moving forward to bring this educational space to Wayne County,” Colon wrote. “We are still trying to raise funds to help build-out the interior exhibits and spaces. We have been working on our $7 million dollar capital campaign for a little over 2 years and continue pressing forward to bring this great space to life. We believe that this will be a great extension of the classroom for students in our community and beyond.”

The Playlab has been participating in various events throughout the area and the Maker Faire seems to lend itself nicely to further help share the Playlab’s mission.

“This space will give families an opportunity to engage together while learning about science, technology, engineering, art and math as well as health and wellness and global cultures,” Colon wrote. “Not only is STEAM education spaces important educationally but will also provide children a place to dream and explore future career opportunities, collaborate with peers, and build communication skills as they work in parallel play with others. We are excited to bring this to Wayne County. We continue to look for business and corporate sponsors who wish to showcase their business and collaborate within an exhibit space, allowing students and families to see what is made right in our community but also give children hands-on opportunities that we hope inspire them to come back and work with these companies right here in our county one day.”

The Playlab also will be selling their seasonal Brain Boxes for only $5 and $10 (depending on size) at the Maker Faire. Normally, the Brain Boxes cost $25-$30.

For more information about Maker Faire Wayne County, visit waynecounty.makerfaire.com.