The Maker Faire is like a science fair and “show and tell” from our youth all rolled up into one – only on a much grander scale. Kicking off this weekend, October 1-2 in New York City, the Maker Faire is a gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, students, authors and artists of all ages who come together to show off and share what they have learned and created over the past year.
With the launch of Make Magazine in 2005, the maker movement was “ignited” and along with it, the first Maker Faire in 2006. Ingenious hobbyists, enthusiasts and tech aficionados from around the world have since developed new products and services, adding innovation and value to the community. Maker Faire is designed to showcase makers exploring new technologies and encourage innovation across science, engineering and more. According to Atmel, a major backer of the Maker movement, roughly 135 million U.S. adults are makers at some level and according to USA Today, makers add $29 billion to the global economy every year. The Maker movement has also caught the attention of major players in tech and corporate industries, which see the value in the Faire, the movement and its makers.
In keeping with the maker spirit, Tektronix recently unveiled our NEW TBS2000 digital oscilloscope – the ideal instrument for troubleshooting the increasingly sophisticated electronics found in the latest maker projects. The new scope offers a 9-inch display with 15 horizontal grids – letting you see 50% more signal on one screen compared to a typical scope. With other powerful features: 32 automated measurements, WI Fi Capability, Help Everywhere functionality - all at an affordable price- the TBS2000 allows anyone with some electronics know-how to take part in the maker movement. Learn how the TBS2000 can help you see more, measure more and innovate more here.
Innovative, inexpensive and open source platforms such as Raspberry Pi and Beagle Bone Black in combination with social media platforms have contributed to the rise of the maker movement unlike anything we have seen before. It’s clear based on the roughly 215,000 people in attendance last year, that we’re hungry for more.
There are two flagship Maker Faire events, including one in New York and another in the Bay Area. Other larger events are held in cities around the world, such as Berlin and Rome, while mini version are popping up across the U.S. and are held throughout the year. To find an event near you visit the official website at http://makerfaire.com/map/.
For us in the tech industry, we not only have an opportunity to contribute to the maker movement and its events, we also have a responsibility to pass on our knowledge and foster innovation in the younger generations. The Maker Faire brings together curious people who relish the opportunity to learn and who love sharing what they can do. It’s a place for engineers to showcase their work and pass on their knowledge.
Are you ready to join in on the movement?