IMLS Press Contact
202-653-4630
Janelle Brevard, jbrevard@imls.gov
Congressional Maker Caucus Contact
202-225-2305
Yuri Beckelman, yuri.beckelman@mail.house.gov
Capitol Hill Maker Faire Connects Congress to Making
Washington, DC— As part of a growing effort to highlight the Maker Movement, the second annual Capitol Hill Maker Faire will take place on June 21 in the Rayburn House Office Building and is open to Members of Congress, staff, as well as members of the public. Exhibitors featured will include makers showcasing robotics, drones and 3D sculptures, and printed art.
Hosted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in collaboration with the Congressional Maker Caucus, the event explores the movement driven by hobbyists, tinkerers, crafters, and innovators that is changing the face of informal learning at community institutions and is breathing new life and innovation into American manufacturing. It is held in conjunction with the National Week of Making, which is June 17-23.
Preceding the faire, there will be a series of panel discussions with leaders of the maker movement discussing its impact on the economy, education, and community development. Rep. Mark Takano, co-chair of the Congressional Maker Caucus, will make opening remarks along with IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. Morning speakers include Rep. Steny Hoyer; afternoon speakers include Rep. Bill Foster.
NOTE: No press registration is required for this open press event. Follow the event on social media with #CapMakerFaire.
Maker Faire
| Date: | June 21, 2016 |
| Time: | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Panel Location: | Rayburn House Office Building, Cafeteria 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC |
| Maker Faire Demonstrators: |
libraries, nonprofits and universities showcasing robotics, 3D printing and scanning, crafts and sewing, woodworking and laser cutting, virtual reality and much more |
| Registration Link | Follow this link and click the green register button to register for the evening faire. |
Panel Discussions
| Date: | June 21, 2016 |
| Time: | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm |
| Panel Location: |
Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-339 |
| Registration: | Follow this link and click the green register button to register for the panels. |
9:30 am - Welcoming Remarks/Introductions
- Rep. Mark Takano
- Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew, IMLS Director
10:00am - Panel 1: The Future of Making
In the years since the resurgence of making, the movement has changed and evolved. Panelists will analyze current topics with an eye to predicting future trends for making.
- Dale Dougherty, MAKE
- Kipp Bradford, MIT Media Lab
- Bronwyn Bevan, University Of Washington
- Kristin Fontichiaro, University of Michigan, Michigan Makers
- Sherry Lassiter, Fab Lab/Fab Foundation
11:00am - Panel 2: Innovation and Art in Making
As new technologies have become accessible, innovators in the art community are using Maker principles to create unique and beautiful art. New tools and techniques continue to raise the bar on innovation. Panelists will explore the intersection of art and making.
- Moderator: Heidi Sheppard, NEA and NIST
- Jeremy B. Carter, Autodesk
- Lisa Brahms, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
- Davide Prete, Catholic University
- Greg Mickells, Madison Public Library (WI)
12:00pm - Panel 3: The Federal Government & Making, Five Minute Lightning Talks by Agency Partners
The Federal government is supporting Making with innovative programs. Representatives from Federal agencies will identify and give details of maker initiatives and programs.
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Standards and Technology
- National Science Foundation
- Small Business Administration
- Smithsonian Institution
- United States Department of Education
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
1:00pm - Panel 4: Economic Renewal through Making and Manufacturing
Panelists will discuss how makers are contributing to the U.S. economy by creating and selling personalized products, often through online markets. Other topics of discussion include: local communities creating "Made In" branding for their products and exploring issues faced by makers that expand to small scale manufacturing.
- Corporate Panelist: Emily Smith, Etsy Manufacturing
- Lisa Camp, Case Western University, Think[box]
- Morgan West, Made in DC
- David Woodbury, North Carolina State University
2:00pm - Panel 5: Making and Education: K-12
The maker movement is impacting education across the country. Schools are using maker principles to help students build 21st Century skills. This panel will highlight successful maker education initiatives.
- Jessica Parker, MakerEd/Sonoma State
- Joseph Williams, Perris Union High School District (CA)
- Colleen Graves, Denton Independent Schools (TX)
- Don Martin, Fab Lab
- Kathyrn Nash, Cognizant
3:00pm - Panel 6: Beyond the Classroom: Making and Lifelong Learning
Libraries, museums, and makerspsaces are offering unprecedented access to making through afterschool programs, adult workshops, and makerspaces. This panel will explore maker learning outside of the classroom.
- Corporate Panelist:Janet Auer, Chevron
- Andrea Saenz, Chicago Public Library
- Janella Watson, New York Hall of Science
- Shawn Grimes, Digital Harbor Foundation
About the Congressional Maker Caucus
The Congressional Maker Caucus is a bi-partisan group of members of the United States Congress who recognize the importance of the community of makers who use technologies such as 3-D printers, CNC machines, laser cutting machines and other manufacturing technologies that enable anyone, from individuals to small and large companies, to craft, build and create, rather than just consume. Follow on Twitter: @Maker Caucus
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.