Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire

Watch out! The Colossal Squid is coming to Mini-Maker Faire! Join Carl Schurz students as they work on making a colossal squid out of plastic bags. Students fuse plastic bags together to create body parts for a life size, anatomically correct, and inflatable colossal squid. When completed, it’ll be about 20 feet long, and 4-6 feet wide.  It’ll tour schools, park districts and more. Along the way, students learn about this mysterious animal that changes color and texture that lives near Antarctica.

The project, known as Artology – is a collaboration between Carl Schurz School and Columbia College’s Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP).  The program is taught by Dee Hotchner of Discover the Depths, Laura Christman of CCAP and Lauren Bauknecht, a Schurz teacher. The project gives students a scientific background in marine biology and teaches students the importance of the ocean and the threats the oceans currently face. Simply put, humanity cannot survive without the ocean. The project also educates students about art methodology and how to manipulate recyclable materials into art pieces and educational tools.

Join fellow students and volunteers to watch them work on constructing body parts at Mini-Maker Faire. Come by and learn more about the amazing colossal squid!

It’s not everyday you make art with complete strangers. That’s what the Bookbinding and Papermaking art project wants you to do. At Mini-Maker Faire, people can learn how to make Flexagons and play the Exquisite Corpse. A Flexagon is  “a piece of paper that can be folded in different ways, revealing and rearranging page order.” When completed, the Flexagons will be a central part of the writing and drawing game called “The Exquisite Corpse.” This is how it’s played. Everyone gets to write or draw something small on a side of the Flexagon. Then the Flexagon is passed to the next person who draws or writes something on a blank side, without seeing the preceding artwork. The Flexagon is passed on and on until it is completed. At the end of the game, the group will have collectively created funny, profound poetry and art pieces. It’s about collectively creating art.

“This is where you get to build one of those LED flashing things,” returning makers Dwayne and Dale introduce their traveling workshop. You start with the kit, and use the tools provided in the maker area. If you’ve always wanted to learn to solder, this is the place to go!  When you are done, you will have a working blinkie. The entire process only takes about 15 minutes, depending on your skill level!  Blinkie Techs will be on hand to help you debug any problems.  (Children are encouraged to build their parent’s blinkie, but the parent has to stick around and learn about the process.)

This year, Dwayne and Dale will offer FREE “Atomic Musecon” kits for attendees, sponsored by the folks at MuseCon (pictured).In case you’re wondering, they will also offer their full range of 2DKits from beginners to advanced.  (Prices range from $5 – $80.)