The 2016 Capitol Hill Maker Faire will be held Tuesday, June 21st this year and is free to attend! The event is taking place at the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington DC, register here to participate!
Washington, DC—The Maker Movement returns to Washington, D.C., this summer as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in collaboration with the Congressional Maker Caucus, hosts a free celebration of making on Capitol Hill. The second annual IMLS Capitol Hill Maker Faire, on June 21, will explore trends and drivers of the Maker Movement. It is part of a citywide slate of activities that includes the White House National Week of Making (link is external), June 17-23, and the National Maker Faire (link is external), June 18-19.
“We are delighted to again to present the Capitol Hill Maker Faire with the Congressional Maker Caucus. Museums and libraries are squarely at the forefront of the Maker Movement. It fits naturally with their work to provide informal self-directed, collaborative, and iterative learning opportunities and to encourage creativity and innovation,” said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew.
“The Capitol Hill Maker Faire is an opportunity for Makers from across the nation to share their projects and stories with Members of Congress. It is always inspiring to learn about the different ways Makers are improving our communities and providing students with hands-on educational experiences.” said Congressman Mark Takano of California, co-chair of the Maker Caucus. “Last year’s inaugural event was an awesome display of creativity and innovation, and I expect this year’s Faire will continue that tradition.”
The day kicks off with a panel series featuring national Maker leaders, as well as representatives from the libraries, museums, academia, and the private sector on the cutting edge of the movement. A highlight of last year’s event, the panels are again expected to draw standing-room-only crowds. Members of the public, members of Congress, and Congressional staff interested in attending should reserve their seats early.
The evening faire will feature approximately 30-40 exhibitors with hands-on displays, such as robots, crafts, 3D printers, and other new manufacturing tools. It is free and open to families and the public, but registration is requested.