Todd Jones: Maker Faire Inspires, Showcases And Launches The Ultimate Show-And-Tell

Editor’s note: Todd Jones, the author of this guest commentary, is the moderator of ARScene.net, a blog that follows the startup, tech and entrepreneurship arenas in Arkansas.

I admit, when I first heard about the Maker Faire, I was curious. I was certainly excited as this meant another great event coming to Arkansas that would continue to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit that is taking place.

Just talking to Joel Gordon at the Raspberry Pi Bake-off, you can see the passion in his eyes and voice as he talked about the “Greatest Show (and tell) on Earth.” His passion was contagious, and I knew then I would be making the trip from Conway to see what it was all about.

Joel and his team at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub were promoting the Faire on that Saturday in March and it convinced many of us to come, including a young man and his family who were at the Bake-off from Texas.

The Maker Faire was all about showing off creative projects. In addition, it was a great place to see and meet others who were interested in creative projects. These projects included crafts, artisans, technology, robots, trains, cirque entertainers, food and beer vendors, things that fly and more.

It was very inspirational.

If the expectation was to show off projects, I think that the North Little Rock Mini Maker Faire accomplished its goal. All ages came together to show off their projects and see what others were working on as well.

In fact, based on other benefits of the Faire, I think that the Innovation Hub exceeded expectations in its first year.

The best part of the Maker Faire – and an added benefit, I think – was the presence of students. The street beside the hub was lined with various student-based organizations that were showing off projects they had worked on during the year. In addition, I witnessed several school-aged children who came with their families. This, in my opinion, is extremely invaluable as these students had the chance to see what could be accomplished with the various fields of study: art, science, technology, engineering and, yes, math.

The Faire gave them a chance to be inspired to learn, to participate in projects as well as meet other students already involved. Indeed, the Faire was a chance to inspire and motivate the next generation of innovators and, possibly, entrepreneurs. This fits into the greater goal of many of the entrepreneurial leaders in Arkansas.

I look forward to next year’s Maker Faire and I hope we will see more across the state. Northwest Arkansas has already hosted a Maker Faire, and I believe they will again. In Northeast Arkansas, Jonesboro is cultivating a maker space as well and we may see a Maker Faire there in the future. Other areas of the state can benefit as well.

For the adults, the Maker Faire had its own set of benefits. There was the chance for organizations to recruit, such DataPath and the Arkansas Army National Guard. There was the benefit of new connections to help launch a business. For example, I met Nathalie Gordillo, a young lady who was able to make connections that might help further her company that creates apparel for female rifle shooters.

In summary, I think the Maker Faire should return next year and I believe it will. Talking to Joel, Errin Dean and others, there was a lot of talk about next year. In addition, it is my hope to see other cities have a Maker Faire.

I believe that the faire met expectations and then some and, the best part, in my opinion, is the number of students who attended who will be inspired to continue learning and to participate. Many will be back next year with their own project.