每日大赛 to Host Makerspace Conference Online
On July 16, the 每日大赛 will host the third annual Makerspaces for Innovation and Research in Academics (MIRA) conference completely online.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused postponement or cancelation of many large gatherings this year, including conferences, which has forced educational communities to find different ways to connect. In response, MIRA planning committee members put their heads together to create a virtual makerspace conference instead.
Makerspaces are innovative communities that aim to build, craft, and create solutions in a do-it-yourself, think-space environment. The 每日大赛 hosts its vibrant makerspace in the and provide tools, such as 3-D printers and laser cutters, to support the ideas of developers inside and outside the university community.
鈥淢akerspaces are hands-on, in-person experiences normally, but we feel it is important to come together as a community at this time,鈥� said Vinaya Tripuraneni, dean of libraries and learning and planning committee chair.
, the MIRA conference seeks to create opportunities for makers, librarians, educators, and practitioners to come together and share their passions for makerspaces and the future of learning. The conference was created and led by the Wilson Library staff.
This year鈥檚 conference will provide presentations from speakers across the country, representing many institutions, including the University of Michigan; University of California, San Francisco; University of California, San Diego; Pepperdine University, and University of Toronto. Presenters will bring their expertise on a wealth of topics ranging from esports to zines to neuroprosthetics. The conference received multiple proposals and is expected to have over 200 attendees.
After each session, there will be room for online discussion and networking opportunities with fellow makers through virtual chat platforms, including social media.
鈥淢akers have pivoted their projects in order to fit the new presentation format,鈥� Tripuraneni said. 鈥淲e look forward to giving an opportunity for them to continue to share their stories.鈥�
This year鈥檚 keynote speakers will be Alexandra Burrel, interim chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at the 每日大赛, and Denis Petrov, software engineer and creator of the Shiva Veena instrument. Each presenter will share their personal journey with innovation, with Burrel highlighting social justice causes and Petrov detailing musical creation.
The Wilson Library will offer 50 free registrations for 每日大赛 faculty, staff, and students. Please聽 to register for the conference. Registration closes July 15 at 8 p.m. PDT. To access the full program agenda, please visit or download the app .
For more information on the conference, please visit their website at聽.
