An exciting new event is seeking makers with a passion to build, create, learn and innovate to share their talents at an upcoming National Science Week event.
MakerX is a collaboration between the University of Tasmania, Burnie City Council, the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing & Energy Council (TMEC) and Bitlink.
It will be presented in Burnie for the first time on Sunday, 18 August.
The community festival will showcase activities and elements occurring within theNorth-West, with an overall aim to increase local participation in learning.
The event will be a melting pot of engineering, manufacturing, technology, science, arts and crafts, paddock to plate, hobbyists, school groups, performance, music, invention and experimentation.
University Strategic Projects Officer Lyndal Bond said recruitment was now open for local makers to enrich the event through a 'show and tell' experience.
"MakerX will be a family-friendly gathering connecting our community with talented makers while exposing them to the disciplines of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)," Ms Bond said.
"Aside from celebrating and exploring the interaction of the North-West's traditional making roots, local manufacturing prowess and how these interact with our digital future, the festival aims to build aspiration in our next generation by providing them with access to fun, community-based learning opportunities.
"To make this event as vibrant as possible, we are recruiting individuals, groups, or companies from across Tasmania who can show and share their contributions to the region or State, as well as their products or concepts."
TMEC General Manager Kent Wyllie said it was an opportunity to show the local community world-class products being designed and manufactured locally, and exported to international markets.
"Local manufacturers such as Jayben and Elphinstone are competing on the world stage and manufacture within a stone's throw of Burnie," Mr Wyllie said.
TMEC will also be providing the opportunity to use its state-of-the-art simulated and augmented reality welding machine.
"This is an excellent example of how technology is impacting on advanced manufacturing training and the sector as a whole," Mr Wyllie said.
Bitlink founder James Riggall said the event aimed to promote the community's understanding of makers.
"The art of 'making' is a very broad concept. Through the festival, we hope to demonstrate to the community just how diverse and prolific the maker movement is in the North-West," Mr Riggall said.
"Makers will have a unique opportunity to promote their work, and to practise explaining the processes behind their end products to curious minds."
Burnie Mayor Steve Kons said MakerX would create conversations and foster future growth.
"By engaging visitors of all ages with different industries, businesses and community groups, we hope to promote local prosperity and growth, while fostering opportunities for everyone to extend their knowledge and skills."
MakerX has been supported by a National Science Week grant.
Expressions of interest to become an exhibitor at the festival can be made by visiting www.utas.edu.au/makerx with the applications closing on 21 July, 2019.
Pictured from left; Local maker Lisa Haas with her upcycled leather products, and MakerX coordinator Clarissa Forster.
