DEARBORN, Mich. - The U.S. Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command will engage Makers - techies and Do-It-Yourself enthusiasts - from all over the nation at Maker Faire Detroit, July 31-Aug. 1.
Taking place at The Henry Ford, Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates creative and resourceful people in the areas of science and technology, engineering, food, and arts and crafts. More than 20,000 area Makers are expected to take part.
"What better place to showcase the technologies our scientists and engineers are developing to give the American Warfighter superiority on the battlefield'" Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, RDECOM Commander, said.
U.S. Army RDECOM is the only defense-related government organization participating in Maker Faire Detroit and will bring a cross-section of new and emerging technologies to the Army Technology Zone. Several RDECOM research, development and engineering centers will support the event with research technology, including: visual training and multi-touch enabled technologies, armor materials , exothermic reactions and the latest in Soldier rations.
RDECOM's Tank, Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, headquartered in Warren, Mich., will display the next generation of military vehicles, advances in energy storage devices, the latest robotics, and will conduct an interactive robotics competition for Maker Faire participants.
RDECOM is also making Maker Faire an educational outreach engagement. Representatives will provide information about the U.S. Army's eCYBERMISSION scholarship program for middle school students and the SMART (Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation) Scholarship for Service Program established by the Department of Defense to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Justice will personally stress the importance of STEM education for American youth - the scientists and engineers of the future - to a student audience at Maker Faire July 31.
In advance of the Faire, organizers are hosting "Detroit Can Do Camp" July 29 at The Henry Ford. During the Camp, TARDEC Director Dr. Grace Bochenek will lead a panel discussion to send an economic message about the future of Detroit and showcase the diversified collaborations taking place between TARDEC, local businesses and regional educational institutions.
Joining Bochenek on the panel will be Dr. Jim Overholt, an Army senior research scientist in robotics based at TARDEC, and representatives from area small business and regional academia.
"At its core, Maker Faire Detroit is about the possibility of what ordinary individuals can do," said Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford. "It's about people being resourceful and innovative, using their hands, and tinkering to create actual objects and, possibly, to use those objects to create change. The great innovators of our past-Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers-all believed in exploring new ideas, and making new things to create a better world.
"There is simply no better place to bring this event to than Detroit," Mooradian continued. "We are the birthplace of modern manufacturing and today we are a hotbed of innovation. We are a region brimming with doers, thinkers and makers."
Created by the publishers of MAKE magazine and makezine.com, Maker Faire draws tech and DIY enthusiasts - families, school teachers, students, local science, hobby and tech clubs, as well as those who are drawn by a curiosity for the unorthodox and often whimsical MacGyver-like nature of Makers and their projects. Maker Faire will feature demonstrations and hands-on workshops over the two days. Visitors will enjoy arts and crafts, science and engineering, robotics, sustainable living, music and fine arts, fun for kids and families and more.
"We're excited to partner with The Henry Ford, which celebrates the history of American makers" said Dale Dougherty, publisher of MAKE magazine (in print and online at makezine.com). "We're also excited to bring our event to Detroit to showcase the technical and creative talent of the region."
About Maker Faire
Maker Faire's mission is to inspire, inform, connect and entertain thousands of Makers and aspiring Makers of all ages and backgrounds through the public gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkers, hobbyists, science clubs, students, authors and commercial exhibitors.
Started in San Mateo, Calif., in 2006, Maker Faire held the 5th annual festival in the Bay Area this past May. As Maker Faire continues to grow in popularity and relevance, Maker Faire will expand to two new cities in 2010, Detroit and New York City.
See the Maker Faire website for details www.makerfaire.com. Maker Faire is supported by MAKE Magazine, makezine.com, craftzine.com and O'Reilly Media, the premier information source for leading-edge computer technologies. The company's books, conferences and web sites bring to light the knowledge of technology innovators.
About The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford is the world's premiere history destination and a National Historic Landmark that celebrates American history and innovation. Its mission is to provide unique educational experiences based on authentic objects, stories and lives from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation. Its purpose is to inspire people to learn from these traditions to help shape a better future.
Five distinct attractions at The Henry Ford captivate more than 1.5 million visitors annually: Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre.
The Henry Ford is also home to Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school which educates 485 students a year on the institution's campus and was founded in partnership with The Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company and Wayne County Public Schools. For more information please visit our website thehenryford.org
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