Meet Jen Fox

The Renaissance Maker

In the world of STEM education, Jen Fox stands out as a beacon of innovation and inspiration. Widely known as Jen Foxbot, her journey from physicist to mechanicalengineer has been punctuated by groundbreaking research, entrepreneurial ventures, and a steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation of makers and problem-solvers.

Armed with degrees in physics from Occidental College and mechanical engineering from UCLA, Jen Fox’s academic journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her research spans diverse fields, from probing the mysteries of dark matter detection to pioneering advancements in renewable energy technology. However, it’s her passion for hands-on, arts-integrated STEM learning that truly defines her professional ethos.

In 2015, Jen took a bold step forward by founding FoxBot Industries, a platform aimed at revolutionizing educational paradigms across classrooms, camps, and universities nationwide. Through FoxBot Industries, she champions an innovative approach to STEM education, one that seamlessly integrates creative expression with technical proficiency. By harnessing the power of making, coding, and creative problem-solving, Jen has introduced thousands of students to the joy and excitement of STEM disciplines.

But Jen’s impact extends far beyond the realm of academia and research. As an engineer, entrepreneur, and educator, she fervently believes in leveraging STEM as a vehicle for social justice. Her mission is clear: to nurture young minds equipped to tackle pressing global challenges, such as climate change, with ingenuity and resilience.

Jen’s multidisciplinary expertise is not confined to the laboratory; it’s also reflected in her prolific contributions to esteemed physics journals, including Astroparticle Physics and the Journal of Instrumentation. Her published works serve as a testament to her intellectual curiosity and her unwavering commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.

Yet, perhaps Jen’s most remarkable quality is her ability to blend technical prowess with an infectious passion for igniting curiosity. Whether she’s leading a classroom workshop or tinkering on a new invention, her enthusiasm is palpable, inspiring students and colleagues alike to push the boundaries of what’s possible in STEM.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Jen is a tireless advocate for equity and access initiatives in STEM education. Recognizing the systemic barriers that hindermarginalized communities from pursuing STEM careers, she champions initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity within the field.

In Jen Foxbot, we find not just a pioneering educator and engineer, but also an inspirational role model who embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience. Through her unwavering dedication, she continues to forge new paths, engaging and empowering the next generation of innovators to shape a brighter future for us all.

Dive Deeper:

Jen’s Website: https://foxbotindustries.com/about-us/

Follow her on: Instagram | YouTube | Medium | Instructables | Hackster.io

Catch her TALK at Maker Faire Miami on Sunday, April 14th at 1PM.

Meet Chris Bathgate

The Machinist Sculptor

In the heart of Baltimore, amidst the hum of machinery, resides an artist whose work blurs the lines between art, craft, and industrial precision. Meet Chris Bathgate, a self-trained machinist whose sculptures are as much a testament to his ingenuity as they are to his artistic vision.

For over two decades, Bathgate has delved into the world of machining, utilizing both handmade tools and automated CNC (computer numerical control) milling and drilling machines to craft his intricate sculptures. But for Bathgate, machining isn’t just a means to an end – it is his method of artistic expression.

What sets Bathgate apart is his formalist approach to precision machining. His entire body of work serves as an ongoing investigation into the concept, where each piece informs the next in a continuous cycle of ideation, problem-solving, fabrication, analysis, and revision. His aesthetic considerations are deeply intertwined with the very machines he employs, leading to a symbiotic relationship where the machinery itself evolves alongside his sculptures.

Playing with the tension between aesthetic and utility, form and function, industrial and handmade, Bathgate’s interdisciplinary work challenges traditional categorizations. His sculptures are meticulously engineered, with every detail methodically designed from the ground up. Yet, they transcend mere technical prowess, evoking a sense of creative logic and ambiguity that captivates viewers.

In his book “The Machinist Sculptor: Industry Meets Craft,” Bathgate explores the history of machine work and its evolving status as a fine art craft. Through his pioneering sculpture practice, he offers a contemporary reflection on the modern state of craft, challenging technological dogmas that emerged during the studio craft movements of the 20th century.

Bathgate’s work serves as a bridge between art, craft, and industrial production in the Digital Age. His sculptures are not just objects of beauty but also reminders of the boundless possibilities that emerge when creativity intersects with technical mastery. In a world where machines often seem to dominate, Bathgate reminds us that it is the human touch that imbues objects with soul.

Dive Deeper:

Chris’ Website: https://www.chrisbathgate.com/

Follow Chris on: Instagram | Blogspot | Twitter/X

Catch his TALK at Maker Faire Miami on Saturday, April 13th at 2PM

Chris Bathgate – Process Film from Nick Kennedy on Vimeo.

Meet Jen Schachter

The Mastermind of BIG Collaborative Builds

In the world of makers, Jen Schachter stands out. With her visionary approach and unparalleled creativity, she’s redefining the art of making cool stuff, together!

Jen’s journey into the maker scene began in a Baltimore makerspace where she dabbled in furniture building and shared her expertise by teaching workshops. But it was her stint with Make Magazine that truly ignited her passion. Testing cutting-edge digital fabrication tools and writing manuals opened up new horizons for her craft.

Taking her skills to the next level, Jen ventured to the Bay Area, immersing herself in the realm of prop fabrication for Savage Builds—a show featuring none other than Adam Savage from MythBusters. Under Adam’s mentorship, she became a regular at his legendary Cave workshop and contributor to episodes of Tested.com, crafting props and dioramas that left audiences in awe.

But Jen’s ambitions didn’t stop there. She embarked on a mission to share her knowledge, teaching workshops across the country – and even internationally, while also playing a pivotal role in organizing amazing events like SiliCon and Open Sauce Live.

Then came the pandemic, a challenge that Jen met with characteristic resilience. Launching her own online store, she introduced laser-cut model kits that were a huge hit! Yet, amidst her success, Jen discovered her true passion—creating immersive experiences that bring people together.

From illuminating the White House to sculpting monumental 3D-printed structures like the Rosie the Riveter Project, to her crowd-sourced build of a replica Apollo 11 Space Shuttle Hatch for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Jen’s projects are nothing short of spectacular. Each one is a testament to her innovation, commitment to collaboration, and the depth of her artistic vision.

And let’s not forget her appearances on the covers of Hackspace and Make magazine. Whether she’s rocking a towering Marie Antoinette wig or showcasing her latest creation, Jen’s presence is undeniably inspiring.

As for what’s next? Well, one thing’s for sure—Jen Schachter isn’t slowing down anytime soon. So, keep your eyes peeled. The maker world hasn’t seen the last of this trailblazer.

Dive Deeper:

Jen’s Website: https://www.jenschachter.com/

Follow Her at: Instagram | X/Twitter | YouTube

Catch her talk at Maker Faire Miami on Saturday at 1pm!

Maker Faire Miami Celebrates 11th edition with Two-Day Event on April 13-14, 2024 at the Watsco Center

Press Release: Feb. 15th, 2024

Miami, FL – Maker Faire Miami, the premier event for DIY enthusiasts and makers, is excited to announce its 11th-edition on April 13-14th, 2024. The two-day event will take place at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables. It will feature various exhibits, workshops, and presentations showcasing the latest technology, art, and DIY projects. Maker Faire Miami is a family-friendly event that brings together makers, inventors, artists, and tech enthusiasts worldwide to share their creations and learn from one another. From BattleBots, robotics, power wheel racers, and 3D printing to woodworking and textiles, there is something for everyone at the Faire!

This year’s event will feature over 125 local, national, and international makers. Among the speakers, we’re excited to highlight Jen Schachter, Chris Bathgate, Jen Fox, and Anya Freeman:

• Jen is a multimedia maker and mastermind of big, collaborative builds — a set of giant light-up letters for the Obama White House, an interactive puzzle hunt for SXSW, a monumental 3D-printed sculpture of Rosie the Riveter, and most recently, a crowd-sourced replica of the Apollo 11 hatch for the National Air and Space Museum. Catch her on TV as a fabricator on the set of Savage Builds, online as a contributor on Tested.com, and in print inside Make: Magazine, Hackspace, and more.
• Chris Bathgate is a self-taught machinist and machine builder. He has spent over two decades building and modifying a variety of metalworking tools and automated machinery to create intricately machined metal sculptures that defy easy classification. Chris authored the book “The Machinist Sculptor: Industry Meets Craft,” which explores the history of Machine work and its evolving status as a fine art craft, through the lens of his pioneering sculpture practice.
• Jen Fox (Jen Foxbot) is a renaissance maker and STEM education trailblazer. With degrees in physics from Occidental College and mechanical engineering from UCLA, her research has spanned dark matter detection to renewable energy technology. Jen’s true passion lies in empowering the next generation through hands-on, arts-integrated STEM learning. In 2015, she founded FoxBot Industries to bring this innovative educational approach to classrooms, camps, and universities across the country. As an engineer, entrepreneur and educator, Jen has introduced thousands of students to the joys of making, coding and creative problem-solving. 
• Anya Freeman is the Founder & CEO of Kind Designs, a social enterprise that uses 3D Printing technology to print living seawalls that mimic coral reefs and mangroves. The startup has grown quickly with investment from Mark Cuban and was recently announced as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies of 2024.”

In addition to these amazing speakers, There will be hands-on experiences for all ages including Learn to Solder your own light-up badge with FIU WiCS, Screen Printing your own Maker Faire Miami T-Shirt, watching dozens of Combat Robots battle live – and so much more! 

Maker Faire Miami is more than just a showcase of the latest and greatest in DIY and technology; it is also an opportunity for the community to come together and share ideas, learn new skills, and be inspired to create their projects. It is a celebration of the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and creativity of the diverse talents in the region. 

“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 11th edition and can’t wait to see all the amazing things that our makers will be showcasing this year. If you’re here for #miamitechmonth you won’t want to miss this event!” said Mario Cruz, the lead organizer of Maker Faire Miami. “Bring the whole family!”

“Maker Faire Miami is our flagship event, and it’s designed to celebrate, educate, and inspire our local maker community. We are so grateful to all of the sponsors who supported – and to all of the volunteers that help ensure a smooth and successful event for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to see all the fascinating projects and wonderful people again.” Said Tom Pupo, Executive Director of Moonlighter FabLab and Co-Producer of Maker Faire Miami.

Maker Faire Miami is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased in advance at TicketMaster. For more information and updates on the event, please visit the Maker Faire Miami website at https://miami.makerfaire.com/

Contact: Mario Cruz
mario@mariothemaker.com

Event Details:

Maker Faire Miami

April 13 + 14, 2024

10am – 5pm

Watsco Center  1245 Dauer Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33146

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Maker Faire Miami is produced by Mario The Maker and Moonlighter FabLab, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to empowering makers with access to the skills, tools, and opportunities to shape a better future.

Meet Dr. Madeline Gannon

Dr. Madeline Gannon is a multidisciplinary designer inventing better ways to communicate with machines. Also known as “The Robot Whisperer,” Gannon specializes in convincing robots to do things they were never intended to do: from transforming giant industrial robots into living, breathing mechanical creatures, to taming hordes of autonomous machines to behave more like a pack of animals. Her work proves that robots can be more than useful — they can become meaningful additions to our everyday lives. Gannon strives to show that technology is a cultural medium.

Through her research studio, ATONATON, she brings bleeding edge tech to wider audiences by exhibiting at international cultural institutions, publishing at academic conferences, and through interviews with global media outlets, such as the BBC, the Guardian, FT, the Science Channel, NPR, WIRED, FastCompany, Dezeen, and The Verge. She is a World Economic Forum Cultural Leader, one of the ‘Top 10 Women in Robotics Industry’ and ‘World’s 50 Most Renowned Women in Robotics’ according to Analytics Insight. She has been a Robotics & AI Researcher at NVIDIA, an Artist in Residence at the FIU Robotics & Digital Fabrication Lab, and has held previous fellowships at ETH Zurich, Autodesk Pier 9, and the Carnegie Mellon STUDIO for Creative Inquiry. Gannon holds a M.Arch from Florida International University, and a Ph.D in Computational Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Gannon will present Creative Robotics: Breathing Life Into Machines at Maker Faire Miami 2023 on Sunday April 16th at 3:15pm in the Maker Talks Room.

See her website at https://atonaton.com/

Follow her at: @madeline.gannon

Meet CW&T

CW&T started as and remains the two-person design practice of Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy.

With backgrounds in Architecture, Film and Computer Science, the duo met at NYU ITP where they began their scale and medium agnostic approach to design.

Wang and Levy lecture extensively on design and technology as a creative medium. They teach courses on time, electronics, hardware, programming, inflatables and morphology at Pratt Institute, New York University and the School for Poetic Computation. Their pedagogy extends into the home/studio where they host office hours to lend a hand, or offer insight to anyone interested in figuring out how to make something themselves.

“Our practice centers around an iterative process of sketching, prototyping, testing, writing code, machining parts, and building each edition ourselves to assess our intuitions around improving our everyday experiences.”

Projects range from devices that alter our perception of time, an electronics curriculum for artists, an astrological compass for space travelers, to objects engineered to last multiple generations.

“Sharing our process with our community is essential to our practice. We cultivate an ethos of openness through teaching, open source software + hardware, and by providing support for others to create self-sufficient design practices.”

Che-Wei and Taylor will be presenting “Making as a Way of Life” at Maker Faire Miami 2023.  Catch their talk on Saturday at 1pm in the MAKER TALKS room.

Che-Wei Wang [pron. sey-wey] is an artist, designer & architect with expertise in computational and generative design, fabrication technologies, electronics, CNC machining, and metal manufacturing. The results range from architecture & sculpture to interactive installations & mobile apps. He is the winner of the 2003 SOM fellowship and the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Pratt Institute. Che-Wei has taught courses on design, time, creative computing, and inflatables, at various institutions. He is an alumnus of MIT Media Lab, ITP at NYU, and Pratt Institute.

Taylor Levy [pron. tey-ler] is an artist & designer with a penchant for taking things apart, understanding how they work, and then putting them back together in a way that exposes their inner workings.The results take on a variety of forms from low-tech electronic sculpture to high-tech software & other executions. She has work on view at The Leonardo Museum of Science and Technology and was a resident at Fabrica Interactive in Treviso, Italy. She is an alumna of MIT Media Lab, ITP at NYU, and Vassar College.

CW&T is the recipient of the 2022 National Design Award for Product Design from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

CW&T live and work in their Brooklyn-based studio and prototyping shop along with their two young children, Pau and Tree.

Check out their Website and Follow them on social at: @charliewhiskeytango

Maker Faire Miami presents Miami Make Week 2021