tylermakerfaire

For Immediate Release

Contact: LaDawn Fletcher, 903.287.0626 or lfletcher@uttyler.edu

Discovery Science Place attracts more than 1,000 to Tyler Maker Faire, sets single day attendance record.
March 24, 2013

Tyler, TX—On Saturday, March 23, 2013, More than 1,000 people braved overcast skies and fierce thunderstorms to launch the first Maker Faire in east Texas. Discovery Science Place worked with the City of Tyler and area businesses like Suddenlink & Motivation Science to bring together exhibitors from throughout the state to share creations, inventions and ideas.

For months, a cadre of community volunteers has been working behind the scenes with Make Magazine to put on what many in the Maker movement call “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

Guests and exhibitors took over the entire Discovery Science Place complex and the adjoining street. Over 80 “Makers” showed projects they created using old and new technology and good old fashion creativity.

Robbie Jones brought his son Davis to the event, not sure what to expect. “I was surprised to see how many creative, technical people had come out to show off their projects,” says Jones. “We particularly enjoyed the robotics and 3D printing demonstrations.”

Vendors also enjoyed the Faire. “Coming to the Mini Makerfaire was an absolute blast,” says Zimmer Barnes, an entrepreneur from Austin who showcased and sold his Zimtelligence Apollo solar powered cell phone chargers.

ArcAttack, sponsored by Motivation Science was electrifying, as promised. The crew, who were contestants on America’s Got Talent rocked the crowd with its high energy performance of Tesla coil instruments and a robotic drummer, but also stayed around after each show to talk to attendees about the science and technology behind what they do—information they also share at schools in curriculum that is approved by the National Science Education Standards.

Discovery Science Place is looking to keep the Maker momentum going year round. “We are going to take a short break before we begin planning for next year’s Maker Faire” says DSP CEO Phil Lindsey. “We not only anticipate double digit growth for this event for the next several years, but we are also investigating the possibility of a year round “Makerspace”, for people to get access to floor space & technologies in which to make their creations. As a science center we want to encourage that kind of creativity and give the Makers a place to display them here.”

Sponsors were key to the event’s success. Discovery Science Place and the committee would like to thank: The City of Tyler, Suddenlink, Motivation Science, Dr. Michael Doyle, the Buonacorsi Foundation, Solocron, Rotary, Eolas, Ameri-Tex Services, STS Electronic Recycling, Blue Spike, Target Corporation, Hebb Fitness, the McClelland Group, Atkins Engineering, Drake Real Estate, and Oncor.

For more information go to www.TylerMakerFaire.com or contact LaDawn Fletcher at (903) 533-8011 or lfletcher@uttyler.edu.

At the beginning of the planning process, we all said  “It’s the first one…it’s a process…it won’t be perfect.”  Well, it turned out darn near perfect. The unqualified success of this event is 100% the result of its great sponsors and volunteers.

Your passion, interest and advocacy made Tyler Mini Maker Faire a hit. Even the rain couldn’t stop us. When all is said and done, we expect to have hosted over a thousand people to our event, gotten some great coverage in the media, found an entirely new audience for DSP, and changed forever people’s perceptions of who we are and where we are going.

Going forward, we think it is safe to expect double digit growth for the next few years of this event, and we are so pleased to be the hub of Maker activities here in East Texas.

On behalf of the Staff & Board of Discovery Science Place — we wish to thank you all for your effort and dedication to our mission of creating lifelong fans of science, technology, and creativity.

And just WAIT until you hear what I have in mind for next year……

Discovery Science Place is pleased to inquire about the creation of a Tyler Maker Space!

A Maker Space is basically a shared workshop.  Like a monthly gym membership, you would have access to our workshop for a monthly fee.  As membership increases so do the awesome tools available!

Currently, we have available a full woodworking shop.  In the future, we hope to add welding, blacksmith, laser cutter, 3d printers, CNC shopbot, a craft room and more!  Training classes would be available based on availability of volunteer teachers.

Our hope is to have the shop available by end of summer 2013.

Make sure to email us or post a comment to let us know your interest.

We have a great show lined up!  Don’t miss this event!  You’ll be sorry you did!!

>>Schedule

Don’t get caught in the rush on Saturday, buy your ticket online through Friday night!

2013 Tyler Mini Maker Faire tickets may be purchased online via EventBrite or at the door.  DSP Member buy tickets at the door for $7 adults and $4 per child.  Non – members price at the door is $15 for adults and $10 per child.  Tickets are cheaper online however there is a small processing fee.
Children 2 and under are free.

FLY KiDS is a performing dance company hosted by the City of Tyler’s Glass Recreation Center. This free program promotes dance as a positive, healthful activity for Tyler-area boys and girls. It’s fun and great exercise as the dancers work to become entertaining performers.

The director is Kathy Wood, creator, choreographer, and artistic director of the national and international touring FLY Dance Company whose style and choreography has been adapted for FLY KiDS. She calls this style “theatrical hip hop.”ncers are mentored and taught responsibility, self-discipline, goal setting, and the value of hard work and, in the process, develop Continue reading →