Category Archives: Robotics

Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire in Review: Learning by Doing & Creating!

Posted on April 9, 2013 | Leave a comment

IMG_3002“Under the roof of The Concourse in Hudson, a celebration of innovation and the DIY culture is under way on a sunny Saturday in March. Mini Maker Faire exhibitors and attendees are largely indistinguishable. From the very young to the very old, participants flow through together, engaging each other and all the wonderful things their minds can conjure up. It is human creativity on full display, just waiting a chance to play.” Mitchell Brown, Tampa Mini Maker Faire: Nirvana 4 Geeks & Nerds

With these words, Mitchell Brown, a reporter for 83 Degrees, a Tampa Bay media group devoted to creating “ a new narrative for a new economy”, perfectly captured the spirit and intent of our 2013 Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire!

“It’s impossible to leave the Mini Maker Faire uninspired,” writes Brown. “Ultimately, that’s the whole idea.”

Read the complete article at : http://83degreesmedia.com/features/makers040913.aspx and stay inspired with us all year long!

 

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Posted in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Florida Inventors, Hobbysts, Inventions, Make, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Radio, RC, Robotics, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Young Makers

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Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013 – The Day in Pictures

Posted on April 8, 2013 | 1 Comment

slide show

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Posted in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Florida Inventors, Hobbysts, Inventions, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Music, Performers, Radio, Robotics, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Toys, Young Makers

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Are You Ready? We Are! See You Soon!

make a world of possibilities

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Posted on March 22, 2013 in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Games, Hobbysts, Inventions, Makers, Music, New technology, Radio, RC, Robotics, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Young Makers

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Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire Program Online!

Posted on March 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

Event map

Our 2013 Event Program is now online!  Hardcopy versions are being printed courtesy of Dex Imaging in Tampa, who graciously donated printing services last year, too. ! Thank you, Dex Imaging, for your support of the Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire!

Program schedule

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Posted in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Florida Inventors, Games, Hobbysts, Inventions, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Music, New technology, Performers, Radio, Robotics, Sponsors, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Toys, Young Makers

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The Fighting Robots of USF-RIG Come to Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire!

Posted on March 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

usf robot awardsOpen to all USF students, the Robotics Interest Group (RIG) focuses on sharing knowledge about designing and building robotic devices, promoting robotics in the area, and representing USF in robotics competitions.

One of RIG’s major focuses is on combat robotics. Popularized by the TV show Battlebots, combat robotics involves a competition where two robots enter an enclosed arena, and fight for a set period of time or until one of the robots has been disabled. Through designing and working on these robots, students learn the principles of design, manufacturing, and programming.

RIG first competed at the 2009 Battlebots IQ Nationals with the 15lb robot usf rig students‘Quasar.’ That year they won the rumble competition and placed well in documentation of the build process. In 2010 RIG members competed with the robot ‘Gruff’ in the 220 lb heavyweight division at the Combots Cup V earning USF mention in the robotics magazine Servo. In 2011, RIG won two bronze metals in the 3lb autonomous combat and 30lb combat divisions at the International Robogames. Gruff again competed in the heavyweight division, and was featured on a Science Channel Special, Killer Robots: Robogames 2011. The same year, RIG also placed first at the NRL Nationals with the debut of 15 lb robot ‘The Brain’. In 2012 RIG placed first in both the 3lb and 120lb divisions at the Combots Cup VII.

RIG is sponsored by Southern Manufacturing Technologies in Tampa, and are supplied by Magnum Steel Services with plastics and steel for our robots.

At this year’s Mini Maker Faire, RIG will be demonstrating their championship robots and others, from the tiny 150g ‘I Kid’ to the 120lb ‘Ziege’.

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Posted in Mini Maker Faire, Robotics

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Featured Maker: Tina Nicolai, of Origami Owl

Posted on March 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Tina Nicolai

Tina Nicolai makes time for a lot of things-professional resume writing , volunteering with FIRST Tech Challenge , and pet rescue. What she’s bringing to Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire is custom-designed -living lockets” as a designer with Origami Owl.

“My passion is being a ‘serial entrepreneur,’” Tina told us. ” I have two IMG_0867businesses currently. I started as an Independent Designer with Origami Owl last August as a hobby. I already had (still have) one successful business (www.resumewritersink.com ) and was looking for something fun to do in my spare time. Since I am creative and loved dabbling in making jewelry, when I learned about Origami Owl, it seemed like a great fit!”

It evidently is. What started as a hobby turned into a successful second business, and Tina now has 20 people on her team .

making lockets“I LOVE helping customers create memories through their living lockets.”

Each piece, she says, is truly custom, as she helps customers design and make their “living lockets,” by choosing their own charms,  lockets, chains, dangles, and plates to create an “end product that is fun and meaningful.”

There’s even a limited edition line for men, courtesy of a collaboration between Rascal Flatts and Origami Owl. 

You can catch up with Tina on her Origami Owl Facebook page or her website and see her in person to make your own custom lockets at Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire!

 

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Posted in Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Robotics, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire

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Meet Our Makers!

Posted on March 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

poster 3 copy

At least some of them – More are coming on board in the next couple of days, bringing a rich variety of science, art, craft, engineering , music, food, and more, showcasing and celebrating the inventive spirit and the amazing work of all kinds of makers across Tampa Bay and beyond.

The great folks listed here are bringing art, music, robots, games, puzzles, inventions, ham radio, crafts, trades, jewelry, electronic gadgets and gizmos and much, much more for everyone to experience and enjoy!

Keep watching our Maker page throughout the rest of the week, to see the growing list of Makers!

Our 2013 Makers so Far…

Commercial Makers

gabotronics

Origami Owl

Upcycled Studios

Makers

backyard workshop

chuck stephens

Frets1

FIRST

GCARC

inanimate reason

in10didLI4E

Mentagy

MEOWSER

Pasco Teens

USF RIG

thinkamingo

urban conga

USGS

fur and taxidermy

young makers

See you at Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013!

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Posted in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Florida Inventors, Hobbysts, Inventions, Make, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Music, New technology, Radio, Robotics, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Toys, Young Makers

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The Robotic Zoo Comes to Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013!

Posted on March 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

IA robotic zoo critterThe Robotics Zoo is coming to town, and to inanimate reasonTampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013, courtesy of Bill Shaw , of Inanimate Reason, and the North Tampa Robotics Club. 

We asked Bill to tell us more about the project, because honestly – animals? robots? What’s not to love?!

“The project started with the North Tampa Community Robotics Club,” said Bill, ” but a couple of my other clubs and after school programs wanted to participate. Some of the exhibit will be made by students from Learning Gate School and my South Tampa Community Robotics Club.”

Each critter in the Robotics Zoo  will be displayed in its habitat, said Bill. ” Some IA zoo critterwill be interacting with each other, some with respond to input from the audience. All of the animals and creatures will exhibit a behavior that responds to some sort of sensory stimulus.”

The prairie dogs, for instance,  will pop out of their warrens periodically, and when they detect a predator, “they get very excited and it gets a little crazy.”

“Mostly, the animals skeletons and behaviors are constructed with LEGO robotics (MINDSTORMS and WeDo) and we’re finishing them using a variety of craft and art materials. 95% of the work is being done by the kids with parents chipping in to help with more technical aspects or the trickier parts of the craft elements.”

The North Tampa Robotics club is for students interested in working with and Bill Shaw with kidslearning about robotics using LEGO MINDSTORMS and WeDo and other technologies. Students work in groups to take on a variety of projects. Other projects have included SUMO robotics, musical instruments using the sensors and programming, and a variety of FIRST LEGO League challenges.

The club meets weekly at Messiah Lutheran church in Carrollwood, and Bill’s started a similar club in South Tampa.  Both clubs are currently enrolling students in robotics summer camp programs. Details on Bill’s community programs is available at http://funwithbots.com .

See you at the Robotics Zoo, at Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013!

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Posted in Artists, DIY, DIY Fun, Makers, Robotics, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Toys, Young Makers

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Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2013 | Leave a comment

IMG_0689To celebrate  the New Year, we’ve gone live a day early with our Maker application!

So have at it! Get your Make on!  Wow us with your incredible ingenuity and creativity!

Set our collective minds afire with your amazing DIY inventiveness, and let’s show the world how absolutely amazing Tampa Bay is – not just for our magnificent weather, views,  and recreational opportunities – but for our unstoppable creative, entrepreneurial and inventive productivity, energy and intellect.

makers-apply-here

Exhibits that are interactive or highlight the process of making things are especially desired. Here’s the process… 

ENTRIES

The first step to participating in our Maker Faire is to submit an entry that tells us about yourself and your project. Entries can be submitted by individuals or groups like hobbyist clubs and schools. You can apply as a Maker, Commercial Maker (individual makers primarily selling —$50 booth fee), Workshop or Presentation, or Performer.  The application asks you to to provide a short description of what you make and what you will actually bring to Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire. Photos, links and videos of exhibit  ideas are very helpful. The more we can see and learn about your exhibit, the better your chances of getting Maker space at the Faire.

 Here are just some of the things that we’re looking for:

  • Robotics
  • Kinetic & Installation Art
  • Music Performance
  • Hacks of Any Sort
  • Homesteader Projects
  • Workshops and Speakers
  • 3D Printers & Digital Fabrication
  • Textile Arts and Crafts
  • Student Projects
  • Rockets and RC Toys
  • Sustainability
  • Green Tech
  • Radios, Vintage Computers and Game Systems
  • Electronics
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Biology/Biotech and Chemistry Projects
  • Puppets
  • Kites
  • Bicycles and Human-Powered Machines
  • Shelter (Tents, Domes, etc.)
  • Unusual Tools or Machines
  • How to Fix Things or Take them Apart (Vacuums, Clocks, Washing Machines, etc.)
  • Food and Beverage vendors please write info@ebmakerfaire.com for more information.

Maker Exhibit: Our standard setup for a Maker exhibit is a 10′x10′ space.  If you need more space for your exhibit or project, please let us know. Use this space to display your work and/or demonstrate how you make something.

If you have any questions about participating in Maker Faire, please contact us by email: info@learningis4everyone.org

OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Exhibitors and Sponsors: We welcome exhibitors and sponsors at our Mini Maker Faire. For more information about becoming an exhibitor or sponsor, please check out our Sponsor page or contact us at info@Learningis4everyone.org

 Volunteer: For information about volunteering at East Bay Mini Maker Faire, please email us at the above address.

We look forward to seeing you at Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013!

 

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Posted in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Florida Inventors, Hobbysts, Inventions, Make, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Robotics, Sponsors, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Toys, Young Makers

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Are You Ready?

Posted on December 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

We are!  Maker applications and ticket sales go live January 2, 2013!  Click here to see what we’re looking for in Maker applications, for a head start on your application.   We’re deeply grateful to our event partners, The Concourse, Pasco County Libraries and Learning is for Everyone, and to our fantastic event planning team who will be working behind the scenes to do everything possible to help Make Your Day, at Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire 2013

2013 event flyer

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Posted in Artists, Craftspeople, DIY, DIY Fun, Entrepreneurs, Florida Inventors, Hobbysts, Inventions, Make, Makers, Mini Maker Faire, Model Makers, Music, New technology, Radio, RC, Robotics, ROV, Sponsors, Tampa Bay inventors, Tampa Bay Mini Maker Faire, Toys, Young Makers

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