GEMS Education to host ‘Maker Day Dubai 2014’

GEMS Education is set to host ‘Maker Day Dubai 2014’, showcasing the invents, designs, and products of students, teachers and parents seeking to learn, teach, inspire, or improve the world around them. 

The event is scheduled to be held at GEMS Wellington Academy in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Participants are invited to register for the event at www.gemseducation.com/makerday by January 16, 2014. 

Submissions must be original to qualify for the event, which is organised as a science fair. Exhibits may range from a personally designed app or video game to robotics and engineering projects, unique cupcakes and even balloon art. Maker Day 2014 will also feature workshops in robotics, design and technology, animation, and computer science as well as original entertainment. 

Maker Day Dubai 2014 will invite visitors to cast their votes to evaluate stall owners in the categories of most innovative, most surprising, most inspiring, and most useful, and for the best use of recycled materials. 

Christine Nasserghodsi, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, GEMS Wellington International School, said: “Maker Day, now in its third year, is a city-wide celebration of innovation, creativity, resilience and skills. It encourages youth entrepreneurship and community outreach.  We believe that events like Maker Day can help inspire the next generation of inventors, creators, and problem solvers. Maker Day is a family event in which visitors of every age will have the opportunity to learn something new.”

Last year’s event which was a joint venture of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and GEMS Education, and featured 3D printing, robotics, hologram technology, regional satellite technology, upcycled innovations, as well as green energy exhibits. The event was attended by approximately 1500 visitors and showcased over 200 makers ranging from students as young as eight, to community members, to universities and governmental organizations. Visitors were invited to participate in workshops in robotics, 3D design, web design, and jewellery making.  Community exhibitors included EIAST, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Fractal Systems, Conlux, Protech, Fun Robotics, and Edutech. 

The 2012 edition of WIS Maker Day drew the participation of Microsoft, Pinewood Derby - Boy Scouts of America, The Change Initiative and a large number of students, teachers and parents. Some of the activities included robotics, recycled materials mosaic, game design, Xbox technology, product design and testing, marshmallow balloon rockets, recycled bottle Burj Khalifa and magnetic Ooblek that proved a major crowd-puller.