Wichita 2018

Did a few things on my annual trek to Wichita. They obvious one was #PodStock18. A great education conference where I get to meetup with some “family”. My biggest take away from the conference was I need to research Boy Scout/Girl Scout badges in some depth. Badges & microcredentialing have a future in education, particularly #MakeSpaces.

I also went to Wichita State University GoCreate space ( http://gocreate.com/ ). They are almost 2 years old. I think their pricing for monthly membership is a bit high ($125 for community, $83 for students & staff). They have a wide array of tools. Many sewing machines, multiple 3D printers, several vinyl cutters or printers. They seemed to have singlets of the metal work and wood working tools. Big space, clean space. They also had some rentable office space on the second floor for start up businesses, trying to help and promote entrepreneurship.

I lucked out that this weekend was the Wichita Mini Maker Faire at the Exploration Place. I think they had a great mix of businesses and DIY / hobbyists. There were local businesses doing some maker stations for kids, as well as businesses that create showing what they do. How many Maker Faires have the fireworks company talking about making fireworks? Their were local artists showing how they create and some selling their wares. Several of them were young (teen & pre-teen) entrepreneurs. There were lots of places spread around for kids to be making , or unmaking, things. So many ideas around the place.