"Be Bold, Be an Explorer, Be a Maker" Maker Faire Youth Weekend

At LightHouse, we value the importance of innovation and the accomplishments of blind makers. Hence, this May, we are excited to invite 25 youth (14 and older) who are blind or low vision to attend the Be Bold, Be an Explorer, Be a Maker weekend program occurring in collaboration with the Youth Employment Series (YES) May 18-20, 2018 workshop!

The LightHouse Be Bold, Be an Explorer, Be a Maker workshop will be a packed weekend of hands-on experience for blind and low vision youth interested in the maker movement. The weekend will include a daylong trip to the Maker Faire in San Mateo guided by Oracle volunteers, opportunities to connect with blind makers, as well as an immersive weekend filled with hands-on activities and projects. We appreciate a generous grant from Oracle enabling us to offer full scholarships to cover fees for a limited number of participants who are currently not signed-up with DOR, so register early and do not miss out on this incredible experience! The deadline to register is May 11, 2018.

Maker Faire Is a celebration of the Maker Movement, a showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. The Bay Area’s Maker Faire is the largest Maker Faire in the nation, right in the heart of Silicon Valley in Northern California. Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is a gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students and commercial exhibitors. “Makers” come to Maker Faire to show and share what they have made and what they have learned.

Starting on Friday, May 18 a group of 25 enthusiastic students will stay at the LightHouse student residences where they can support each other as they explore the broad array of projects and potential career fields makers engage in throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, May 20 students will travel as a group to the Maker Faire for guided tours with Oracle volunteers. Volunteers will accompany students in pairs to describe the projects showcased at the various booths, and potentially visit booths of blind makers.

The exciting weekend will conclude on Sunday, May 20, where students will participate in tutorials, workshops and presentations with blind mentors who are makers themselves. They will offer hands-on demonstrations, exhibit their own work, and provide tailored guidance and consultation.

To reserve your spot for "Be Bold, Be an Explorer, Be a Maker" 2018, receive an application, and determine your eligibility for a scholarship, please contact Ann Wai-Yee Kwong, Transition Program Specialist, by email at youth@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7328.