SPRING INTO MAKING 4 MAY: Is 3-D Printing 4 U?

The World is abuzz about 3-D printing! The May TekVenture Maker Station workshops focus on 3-D printing tools, techniques and technology. Depending on how far into 3-D printing you are, there is a session or two for you! See a complete listing of workshops under "Workshops" on the TekVenture Website.

All workshops and meetups are held inside the TekVenture Maker Station except "Meet CAD" on Saturday 4 May from 1 - 4 pm, which meets in the Computer Training Room inside the Allen County Public Library.

All workshops are FREE and sponsored by the Allen County Public Library unless otherwise stated.

Advance registration is required! Call 421.1374 for information or to make reservations.

2013 Fort Wayne Regional Maker Faire Kickoff Event

Join us Wednesday, April 24 from 5-7 pm as we celebrate the kickoff of the 2013 Fort Wayne Regional Maker Faire - Powered by TekVenture!  

Downtown Allen County Public Library - Theater (free parking for ACPL card holders)

Learn more about the Maker Faire, find out ways you can exhibit as a Maker, Vendor, or Sponsor, and  hear from makers as they share their inspiration and offer a sneak peak at a few projects they've made.

People who like to see how things are made, or better yet, must tear things apart to make them better, faster, louder, automated, more efficient, etc. - well you get the drift - you'll love the Maker Faire so come find out more about getting involved.

Free tours of the TekVenture Maker Station available until 9 pm.

Please RSVP by April 22 to just.jane@tekVenture.org.

SPRING INTO MAKING: APRIL

Learn more about Arduinos, Raspberry Pi's and Microcontrollers, 3 D Printing, Circuit Bending and Jewelery-Making among other workshops in the TekVenture Maker Station during the April series of hands on workshops!

Meet Dave Gross, President of the Fort Wayne Inventors' Club, as he describes his "collision control " invention and business on Wednesday 24 April in the TekVenture Maker Station at 7:00 PM.

All workshops are FREE sponsored by the Allen County Public Library!

Coming in May: 3 D Printing Extravaganza!

Check the website for details of workshops: www.tekventure.org/workshops/

Learn More About the International Maker Movement

Dale Dougherty, founder of Makezine and the Maker Faire and the Father of the Maker Movement, speaks to Tom Kalil, innovation advisor for the White House and others about the democratization of making.  Check out this video to learn more.

Need a Temporary Structure in around 24 hours?

Check out this video about concrete-infused materials for building semi-perminent structures.  What will they think of next?  

Thinking About Building A Chain Reaction Challenge Machine?

Check out this fun video of last year's Chain Reaction Challenge (CRC) produced by Aaron Makin, one of our long-time TekVenture supporters.  Aaron and his family have participated in four of the last five Chain Reaction Challenge Events. Come to the Downtown Allen County Public Library on Saturday, April 20 to see what Aaron has up his sleeve for CRC6.

The Inventors Speak: How To Invent

On Wednesday 27 February 7:00 - 9:00 PM in the TekVenture Maker Station at the Downtown Public Library:

Got a great idea? Sam Conte of the Fort Wayne Inventors Club  talks about “HOW TO INVENT” – the cause to invent, justifying an invention by determining markets, sourcing of materials, and costing it to sell. Sam will also address “TO PATENT OR NOT TO PATENT?” – how to determine if it will be required, justifying costs of applying for a patent, who will buy it?

FREE—Sponsored by The Allen County Public Library!

Join TekVenture and PBS39 for a Tek-Time Adventure

On Saturday, March 23, come join PBS39 and TekVenture for a day filled with robotics, technology, exploration, adventure and FUN at the Downtown Allen County Public Library.  

The day starts with a movie premier of "Sid the Science Kid" produced by the Jim Henson Company from 12 - 1:30 pm. Hooper from PBS Kids will make a visit from 1:30 - 2 pm followed by a kid-friendly Chain Reaction Challenge (CRC) workshop from 2 - 4 pm.  Workshop attendees will learn tips and techniques from the CRC design team on how to build a contraption for the Chain Reaction Challenge 6.  Space is limited so register now.

Click here to enter a team for CRC 6 to be held Saturday, April 20.

TekVenture is Out of Space and We Need Your Help

The Downtown Allen County Public Library is a generous and gracious landlord, however, it's time for TekVenture to grow.

Please take a few moments to complete the TekVenture Maker Survey that will help in our space planning.  The results will help us to determine what machines you could use while building your projects and will help us to figure out how much space we need now and into the future.

In the meantime, thank you so much for supporting TekVenture and our many projects and programs.

Maker Wonderland Workshops Now In Progress!

Join us Wednesday evenings and Saturdays for workshops covering basic topics focused on making things at the TekVenture Maker Station.

From February through March a variety of topics will be covered including "Electricity Made Easy", "Inventors Speak: To Invent or Not to Invent: that is The Question!", "Sketch Up Basics", and "Circuit Bending: History and Geography", "3D Printer Tweaking", and "Machining Basics" among other hands-on workshops. 

Saturday, March 2 during "Introduction to Soldering" learn to solder with Circuit Bending Maestro Mark Hoffman from 9-12 pm and from 1-4 pm "More Soldering: Electronics Kits" offers you more practice with IEEE's Kevin Van Zuilen.  

These sessions will take place at the TekVenture Maker Station located in the Downtown ACPL parking lot at Webster and Washington Streets.

For the complete list of Winter Makerland Workshops click on "Workshops" in the menu bar.

Workshop advanced registration is required by calling 260.421.1374 because space is limited!