Dale Dougherty has a simple idea: all of us are makers. We’re born makers. We don’t just live - we make.
Dale believes that America used to be a nation of makers. People were proud to tinker in their garages and basements and pass on the tradition of “making” to future generations. These days, Dale thinks we’ve strayed to far from that way of life, and have focused more on being consumers.
Dale says, it’s time to get back to making. It doesn’t matter what it is: cheese, wine, sculptures, robots, rockets, 3D printers - even electric muffins! As simple or as bizarre as a person wants to get, Dale believes everyone should be passionate about making something. So Dale decided over a decade ago to create a grassroots festival called Maker Faire. There’s one every year in the Bay Area, NYC, and all over the world. There’s one in Africa. Tens of thousands of people attend, showing off all of the spectacular things they’ve made. Things like a basketball bikini, art sculptures made from car parts and wooden catapults, large and small. Simply, makers are enthusiasts, amateurs and hobbyists.
Dale also created MAKE magazine. The magazines are jam-packed with ideas and exact plans for making things. One issue might be dedicated to making robots, or rockets. Anyone with an interest can pick up a magazine and get right to work.
Dale is passionate about making a new generation of makers. He just received a DARPA grant. His task: to bring the philosophy of making to high schools around the country with what he calls Maker Spaces. He believes the concept of students sitting quietly at a desk reading is archaic and the best way for kids to learn is to engage, to act and to make. Dale hopes to one day have these maker spaces in high schools across the country.
Simply put, Dale’s mission is to make more makers. He says you don’t have to be a genius to make things. You just have to follow your natural curiosity - and begin.
Tune into CNN 2 P.M. E.T. February 12th to see the full 30-minute profile of Dale Dougherty.
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Each week, CNN's "The Next List" profiles innovators, visionaries and agents of change. They’re not household names just yet, but they’re movers and shakers in their own worlds. We’re introducing them to you because these individuals are steadily mapping the course to the future with their new ideas.
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The story of the child who recovered from a life threatening decease while preparing his project for the Makers Faire should convince any skeptic of the power of Maker's Magic, as I have come to call it. After thirty years of leading family and school Makers workshops I support the necessity of Making More Makers with full confidence. Yes, Mr. Dougherty, we need a Maker's shop in every school. How do you plan to implement this idea who's time has come? Count me in.
Hi. I think your prraogm is remarkable. I was on the webinar last evening and you have a lot of valuable information. One question that I have is do you or your team have expertise in the HAFA procedures?Thanks.
How can I watch this full interview? It was not shown because of coverage of Whitney Houston's death
Reblogged this on Madly Making Orange and commented:
Maker Faire founder Dale Dougherty on CNN Sunday night!
In past times, when the fixing was done by a tinker, or Blacksmith, kids could watch, and even help in the process. With the new techniques of creating stuff, kids can only see that endeavor on Discovery Channel.
High School Graduates leave schools with no concept of what work is, or how to fit into the businesses. A good class with a Make Magazine for a guide, and several people working together can provide these graduates with the skills to start their own business, or at least to not be unacceptable as new employees.
The supervision of the class might be handled by someone skilled in weighing risks, and providing advice.
An alternative might be a group of people forming a Maker club, and forming groups who work on their own projects. The club might well organize the equipment necessary for projects, like wood and metal working tools. The leaders of the group would also arrange scheduling, and overseeing operation of the equipment.
Results might interest folk, and give them a reason to continue in school.