Maker Faire NY: Newbie needs advice
World Maker Faire sent me a press package last night that pretty much made my jaw drop. Paul Rako or Margery Conner have traditionally covered Maker Faire for EDN but with this weekend’s event right in this New Yorker’s backyard (Queens, NY) and Paul and Margery out in California, I’ll be attending, as will EDN’s Patrick Mannion.
I knew it would be big when the location announced was the New York Hall of Science, but with four event zones, Maker Faire will be taking over all of Corona Park. For reference, Corona Park is where the 1964 World’s Fair was held. (I enjoy this fact because both events work or have worked to showcase life and global improvements through technology, in some form or another.)
The Maker Faire package brought my memory back to the first CES I attended and was dreadfully unprepared for when I arrived with plans to stay down at the far end of the Vegas Strip and with 3-inch heels as my only shoes. So, because the event’s size seems to rival CES, and because I’m a newbie when it comes to Maker Faire, I’m asking you, the EDN audience, for help. What would you attend? I’ll do my best to get to your recommendations.
So far I have down on my list:
GonKiRin, car dragon equipped with 2,500 feet of LED lighting fixtures, a massive flamethrower, and a second-story DJ booth.
The GE Carousolar, a solar-powered carousel.
The Building Unconventional Electronics demo where the Columbia Laboratory for Unconventional Electronics demonstrates how to use 3D printing and laser cutting to make LEDs, solar cells, transistors, sensors and other exciting electronic devices.
Lots of presentations and speakers.
And as much in the Young Makers section as I can take in.
What else? Share your advice on must-sees at Maker Faire NY or just general points I should know about the event in the comments field below (like, how far in advance should I get to the auditorium for speakers, should I bother with business attire or will my broken in Converse sneakers do, etc). Also, look for tweets from the @EDNmagazine feed this weekend live from Maker Faire.
More info on Maker Faire here.
Andy T commented:
Suzanne - i take back my "attend" comment LOL...I just checked their website and they will be there, as they were at MF Bay Area. EVERY EE has to see the tesla-coil based performance of ArcAttack! at least once in their life www.arcattack.com/shows.php Don't spoil seeing it live by looking at the video ahead of time.
Short.EE commented:
"Lots of presentations and speakers."
There is supposed to be a big Arduino announcement (See Atmel's press-r @ tiny.cc/z73t7)
I look forward to seeing what you experience.
Enjoy!
Andy T commented:
One more thing... big corporations have started "look at me" presences at MF. They are not makers, but coporate attention whores looking to somehow be attached to a movement that is open source, unfettered, and personal capital (apart from artist grants) to where an MBA is irrelevant, even laughable. Please do the Maker movement a favor at THEIR regional event and cover Makers, not GE, Ford, and Microsoft at this event. Resist assimilation by the corporate Borg.
Art L. commented:
'Attend' everything. It's all good!
Prepare to walk around outside a *lot*. Luckily the weather seems to be perfect. Wear what's comfortable. The only business attire there will be at the few commercial booths that need to look professional. There will be many others wearing very odd costumes.
Bring ear plugs if you plan to get anywhere near the pulse jet powered bikes while they are running (will they be there again this year? I don't know. I hope so.)
I'm looking forward to going again this year!
Michael Munroe commented:
Keep Patrick away from the Heatkit displays or you will never make it to all other interesting things.
Nate commented:
A Camera is a must! If you don't have a few hundred pictures when you leave you didn't see enough! Then share them as much as possible.
Suzanne Deffree commented:
Excellent point, Andy T. Noted.
Andy T commented:
Don't "attend" anything. Half the MF experience is discovery of the whimsical creativity of the Maker community. Just make the time to see as much as you can...i.e. at least a full day
