Do-it-yourself learning will take center stage at Maker Faire Bay Area 2012 in San Mateo on May 19 and 20, with examples of how educators and entrepreneurs are using technology, engineering and design to put students at the center of learning. A “DIY Learning Pavilion” at the family-friendly festival will invite children of all ages to let their curiosity guide what they learn, stimulating engagement, critical thinking skills and creativity.
Attendees visiting the DIY Learning Pavilion will be able to download a web app to map a path through the exhibits based on their interests. Educators may start at an architectural booth, where they can design their own classroom, or try out a device invented by teachers for collecting student responses in class. Students may head straight for “FabLab” to craft their own bubble wand with a laser cutter or design a video game or a T-shirt.
Maker Faire is offering free tickets to the first 500 teachers who request them; sign up here.
Along with the DIY Learning Pavilion, the Maker Faire features hundreds of individual makers of every age, demonstrating creative inventions, from towering robotic giraffes to unusual clothing designs. Maker Faire Bay Area 2012 is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday May 20, at the San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo.
