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Sarah H Chung is the manager of Maker Learning at Center City Public Charter Schools in Washington DC. Sarah shares her journey into maker education, starting with her diverse interests in hobbies and previous positions in teaching computer science and making at Lighthouse Charter Schools in Oakland. She discusses her experience setting up a makerspace during her time in Scandinavia and then moving back to the US. Sarah took a job to develop a new 20,000-square-foot makerspace for this charter school network of five urban schools.  She talks about the challenges of integrating making into the curriculum, and her efforts to connect staff and students with maker-centered learning. She emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, community building, and the benefits of fostering creativity and practical skills.  https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:cast, host Dale Dougherty is joined by Hannah Hagon, author of "Unplugged Tots," and Brian Jepson, publisher at Raspberry Pi. The discussion centers on Hannah’s new book, which offers screen-free, play-based activities designed to introduce young children to computational thinking and logical problem-solving without the use of computers or coding apps. Hannah shares her inspiration for the book, rooted in her experiences as a parent seeking ways to bridge the gap between early childhood play and later engagement with technology. The activities in "Unplugged Tots" use everyday household items and focus on concepts like sequencing, pattern recognition, and problem-solving, making them accessible to all families regardless of technical background or resources. The conversation explores the importance of fostering creativity, resilience, and metacognition in children, emphasizing that learning to think computationally is about more than just coding—it’s about developing a toolkit of skills for the future. The guests also discuss the challenges parents face with screen time and the value of hands-on, collaborative learning experiences. Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HRFT10ec5A Coming soon (preorders available): Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unplugged-Tots-Introduce-Children-Foundations/dp/1916868223Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Tots-Introduce-children-foundations/dp/1916868223https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:cast, Dale Dougherty from Make Magazine chats with Marilyn Nash and Amber Hudson, authors of 'A Maker's Life'. Both of them are former teachers - Marilyn is retired and Ambers works at 1st Makerspace in Indiana. They discuss the impact their book has had on readers, igniting meaningful conversations about the maker mindset among people of all ages. Amber shares the story of how she and Marilyn met and collaborated on the book, which serves as both a personal narrative of Marilyn's life as a maker and a reflective guide for developing makerspaces. They delve into Marilyn's background, influenced by her mother who was a diarist and a creator, and how art and making provided her solace during tough times. They emphasize the importance of self-expression, creativity, and the generational influence of making. The conversation also touches on the educational system's challenges in integrating a maker mindset and its potential to transform learning environments. The authors hope to inspire not just students but also older generations and educators to embrace their identity as makers. A Maker's Life email: [email protected] A Maker's Life website: amakerslife.org To purchase the book visit on Amazon: bit.ly/3Ex3tn8 https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:cast, host Dale Dougherty speaks with Kirk Pearson, author of 'Electronic Music from Scratch,' and Kevin Toyama, the book's editor. Kirk is a musical experimenter and he encourages others to do the same.  Kirk shares his journey from a traditional music background to creating electronic music and building custom instruments. He discusses his workshops, where participants learn to build synthesizers and other electronic instruments. Specific topics include circuit bending, synthesizer design, and the use of capacitors and potentiometers in creating electronic sounds. The conversation also touches on the challenges of translating workshop experiences into a book and the collaborative process with the book's illustrator, Maisie Byerly. Kirk also mentions his other projects, including a new album and a show called 'Radio Pacific.' The episode highlights the intersection of creativity, music, and DIY electronics. To buy Kirk's book, visit Maker Shed https://www.makershed.com/products/make-electronic-music-print Check out Dogbotic Labs.  https://dogbotic.com https://make.co/make-cast/

This is the keynote talk I gave at the Trenton Computer Festival 2025 at the end of March.  The theme of the festival was Fun with Technology and I talked about how Make and Maker Faire have been dedicated to people who have fun with technology.  I slightly edited this talk to remove references to the slides I used in the talk.  https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:cast, Dale Dougherty is joined by Ken Kahn, author of 'The Learner's Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity,' and Sylvia Martinez, co-author of 'Invent to Learn.' Ken discusses his experience in AI from his high school days to MIT's AI Lab and his journey into integrating AI into children's programming tools. Sylvia sheds light on the importance of empowering children with modern tools and technology. The discussion centers on creative uses of AI in education, including creating web apps and historical dialogues using chatbots, personalized learning, and the impact of AI in the classroom. This insightful conversation aims to inspire educators, parents, and students to adopt AI creatively and constructively. 00:39 Ken Kahn's Journey into AI 02:15 Sylvia Martinez's Background and Publishing Journey 03:17 AI's Role in Education 03:49 Ken's Book and Its Audience 06:44 Practical Applications of AI in the Classroom 08:08 Interactive Learning with AI 19:54 Personalized Learning with AI 22:30 Creative Uses of AI in Education 28:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts To learn more about the book, visit https://cmkpress.com/product/learners-apprentice/ https://make.co/make-cast/

Dale Dougherty discusses the launch and evolution of Make: Magazine, a DIY technology publication, since its inception in February 2005.  The conversation includes insights from original team members Mark Frauenfelder, Dave Albertson, Shawn Connolly, and Paul Spinrad, as well as current editor-in-chief Keith Hammond. The magazine, launched amidst a declining print industry, aimed to share project instructions and inspire readers to engage in DIY activities. The first issue showcased a kite aerial photography project by Cris Benton, exemplifying ingenious solutions like using popsicle sticks and a Silly Putty Viscous Timer.  They reminisced about early decision-making, the importance of design, challenges in documenting projects, and how the community's growth influenced by Maker Faires. The script highlights the magazine's impact on the maker movement, transitioning into various mediums and reflecting on personal anecdotes from team members over the years. The call ends with updates on their current pursuits and the lasting significance of Make: Magazine. https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:Cast, Dale Dougherty interviews Ellie Weinstein, founder and CEO of Cocoa Press, a company that manufactures 3D printers that print chocolate. Ellie discusses her 10-year journey from a high school project to launching the second model of her Cocoa Press printer. The discussion highlights her background in mechanical engineering, her experience with 3D printing, and the challenges of creating a unique product that combines technology and confectionery. Ellie also shares her experiences at Maker Faire, the difficulties of manufacturing in the US vs. China, and the significant milestones in developing and marketing her chocolate 3D printers. She explains how the company grew, the hurdles she faced, and the innovative culture and community support that are central to Cocoa Press. https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of MakeCast, Dale Dougherty interviews Steph Piper, a creative technologist from Queensland, Australia. They discuss her Maker Queen website, her Skill Trees project, and her new book, Skill Seeker Maker Edition. Steph shares insights into her role at a university library makerspace, her electronics kits for kids, and her GlowStitchLEDs project. The conversation also covers the development and application of skill trees as a tool for self-directed learning and maker engagement, as well as the importance of community in makerspaces. 00:00 Introduction to Steph Piper and Skill Trees 01:32 Steph Piper's Journey and Maker Queen 02:59 Library Makerspace and Hands-On Learning 08:45 The Concept and Development of Skill Trees 20:57 Fun Projects and Final Thoughts Book: http://makershed.com/skillseeker https://make.co/make-cast/

"Tinkering is a fun way to learn about the world around you," says Ryan in his new book, 'The Tinkering Workshop,' which promotes creativity and playful experimentation with everyday materials for families, children, and educators.  I've known Ryan for many years from when he worked at The Exploratorium's Tinkering Studio.  Ryan will be at Maker Faire Bay Area this weekend where he will organize hands-on workshops and talk about his book.  https://make.co/make-cast/

Dale Dougherty interviews Camila and Diego Luna of Moonmakers at the Fab 24 conference in Puebla, Mexico. Moonmakers is an educational non-profit focused on promoting science, technology, STEAM education, and the maker movement. They share their journey from starting with robotics and participating in international competitions, to creating content and resources for teachers and students. They highlight the importance of peer-to-peer learning and the challenges faced by the maker community in Mexico. They also discuss their involvement in the Fab 24 conference, showcasing workshops and the importance of breaking language barriers in STEAM education. https://make.co/make-cast/

Chad Orcutt created Community Shop Class in the Oak Park neighborhood of Sacramento, California. What started out as the ADHD Inventor's Club in his garage grew into a new space, unlike any makerspace you've seen.  He saw it as way to help people, particularly neurodivergent people like himself, learn to use tools safely.  He's built a shop class for people who never had shop class. Link to companion article on Makezine.com. Link to video on YouTube. https://make.co/make-cast/

My guest is Cy Tymony, author of "Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things" and "Sneaky Math."  Cy has a wonderful DIY worldview that he shares through his many books. He reveals a secret world to you if you're willing to be a little sneaky. To Cy, sneaky means you learn about something that not everybody knows, the way a magician has learned to do a trick and then can amaze their friends.  Cy says his point is to encourage everyone to "discover the power and resources that you have," which is some ways the life story of Cy Tymony. Links: Science Friday episode from April 1, 2005:  Ira Flatow with Cy Tymony and Make: editor, Phil Torrone.  https://www.npr.org/2005/04/01/4571259/do-it-yourself-science Cy's own website: http://sneakyuses.com/ https://make.co/make-cast/

Jenny Young is a mechanical engineer who founded Brooklyn Robot Factory thirteen years ago and introduced it at World Maker Faire in NYC to bring hands-on learning experiences to kids in schools and afterschool programs.  Her company has evolved into a franchise business where they train and equip others to provide hands-on classes.  Jenny says: "I'm not selling kits; I'm selling a service." https://make.co/make-cast/

Matt Zigler is the author of a new book for educators titled "3 Modes of Making." He talks about imitation, modification and innovation as three different modes of student projects,  which can develop different maker skills.  Matt is an artist and educator who has been running the makerspace at Bullis, an independent school in the DC area.  He brings a background in art and creative practice to the makerspace and his school.  it's not that every student  is going to be an artist but every student should develop a creative practice, regardless of subject or area of interest. https://open.substack.com/pub/makered/p/maker-clubs-classes-and-hubs Print - https://www.makershed.com/products/3-modes-of-making-print  PDF - https://www.makershed.com/products/make-three-modes-of-making-pdf For a transcript, go to: https://makezine.com/article/education/making-as-a-creative-practice/  https://make.co/make-cast/