Milwaukee has no shortage of art, craft, food, beer, and whatever-else fairs. Hell, some of them are even at night! But this weekend’s inaugural Maker Faire Milwaukee is a bit different, focusing more on technology, engineering, and hobbyist-friendly pursuits than artisanal soap. An independent offshoot of the national Maker Faire, the Milwaukee installment will feature such geek-tastic things as 3D printing and robotics demos, a “Life Size Mousetrap” game, electric car races, and a mini jet engine-powered monster truck. If you’re tired of seeing the same Milwaukee-themed t-shirts at every fair in town, this one’s for you.
Organizers have now released the full schedule for Maker Faire Milwaukee, which will be held at Wisconsin State Fair Park Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28. The event is all-ages and free of charge. Behold:
Saturday (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
9:45 a.m. WORKSHOP: DIY Halloween Masks
10 a.m. PRESENTER: “The Maker Movement and Where It’s Going” Pete Prodoehl
11 a.m. POWER RACING SERIES: Qualifying Races
LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP performance
11:15 a.m. PRESENTER: Jason Babler, Creative Director of MAKE Magazine
WORKSHOP: Kitchen Chemistry
11:30 a.m. MICRO MONSTER TRUCK DEMO (jet turbine-powered monster truck)
Noon DESIGN & BUILD CHALLENGE
POWER RACING SERIES: Moxie Performance Contests
1 p.m. POWER RACING SERIES: Heat Race 1
PRESENTER: “Story in the Making: Creating for the Love of the Journey” Christopher Edwin Johnson
1:30 p.m. WORKSHOP: Becky Tesch Chain Stay Jewelry
2 p.m. LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP performance
PRESENTER: “Making Utopia: Creation and Community in Sustainable Futures” Day Host-Jablonski
2:30 p.m. MICRO MONSTER TRUCK DEMO (jet turbine-powered monster truck)
3 p.m. POWER RACING SERIES: Heat Race 2
3:30 p.m. DESIGN & BUILD CHALLENGE Awards
3:45 p.m. WORKSHOP: Binding Your Own Journal
4 p.m. LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP performance
5 p.m. PRESENTER: “A Journey through the Life of a Maker” Mike Davey
Sunday (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
9:45 a.m. WORKSHOP: DIY Halloween Masks
10 a.m. PRESENTER: “The Intelligent Internet of Things for Makers” Bruce Bautista
11 a.m. LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP performance
PRESENTER: “Sweet Water AQUAPONS: Developing Eco-Literate Citizens” Jesse Blom
11:30 a.m. MICRO MONSTER TRUCK DEMO (jet turbine-powered mini monster truck)
Noon PRESENTER: “Collaborative Spaces as Catalysts for Sustainability” Tim Syth
12:15 p.m. WORKSHOP: Kitchen Chemistry
1 p.m. WORKSHOP: Becky Tesch Chain Stay Jewelry – $5
PRESENTER: “Get it Done, or, Mike’s Guide to Actually Finishing a Project for Once” Mike Davey
1-2:30 p.m. POWER RACING SERIES: Endurance Race
2 p.m. LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP performance
PRESENTER: “Build Your Own Electric Car” Ben Nelson
2:30 p.m. WORKSHOP: Make Your Own Hardcover Book
3 p.m. PRESENTER: “Makerspaces and Schools” James Carlson
4 p.m. LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP performance
PRESENTER: “ACTION 2 REACTION” Dieter Sturm