Mini Maker Faire to showcase inventions Friday

Jagger+Smith%2C+age+12%2C+builds+a+house+as+tall+as+he+is+using+the+Cocoro+playhouse+system%2C+showcased+at+the+Maker+Faire+in+the+University+Library+on+Friday%2C+May+10%2C+2015.+The+Cocoro+playhouse%2C+which+uses+lightweight+but+durable+cardboard+that+can+be+stacked+and+combined+for+limitless+possibilities%2C+was+created+by+NorioKids%2C+who%E2%80%99s+founder+got+the+idea+from+playing+with+legos+and+lincoln+logs+as+a+kid+and+always+wanting+to+be+able+to+fit+inside.

Jagger Smith, age 12, builds a house as tall as he is using the Cocoro playhouse system, showcased at the Maker Faire in the University Library on Friday, May 10, 2015. The Cocoro playhouse, which uses lightweight but durable cardboard that can be stacked and combined for limitless possibilities, was created by NorioKids, who’s founder got the idea from playing with legos and lincoln logs as a kid and always wanting to be able to fit inside.

Paige Brown

Creators, inventors and curious people alike will gather at the University Library on Friday from noon until 4 p.m. for the Kent State Mini Maker Faire.

The Mini Maker Faire can best be described as an adult show-and-tell.

“It’s a showcase of some of the making and innovation that is happening not only at Kent State, but in the surrounding region,” said Hilary Kennedy, the student multimedia studio manager.

Kennedy said the event invites exhibitors from all different walks of life, ranging from individual students to community businesses. The Mini Maker Faire allows people to demonstrate projects they have been working on, products they are launching or simply share ideas.

“Showing the process is the biggest part of it,” Kennedy said. “Showing the process they have gone through and what they’re learning from it and connecting with other makers, as well.” 

The Mini Maker Faire will include everything from knitting, upcycling projects and 3-D printing, to high-tech and advanced technology.

“We like to have interactive exhibits and most of the exhibits that you will see at the Faire have some kind of activity that you can interact with, or something to take away,” Kennedy said.

The Mini Maker Faire is free to attend and is open to the general public.

“It really can be of interest to anybody,” Kennedy said. “Chances are there is some aspect of it that speaks to you.”

The Faire will take place on the first floor of the University Library, but will also include Spark Innovation Studio in the Schwartz Center.

“If you haven’t seen Spark, now is the best time to see it up and running and meet the staff,” Kennedy said.

Paige Brown is the libraries reporter, contact her at [email protected]