304: A Nation of Makers

Season 3 | Episode 304 | Length: 26.46

In 2009, President Obama called for Americans to be makers of things, not just consumers of things. Since then, we’ve truly become a nation of “Makers.” This episode of WQED’s Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award-winning iQ: Smartparent explores the culture of makers and the relationship between media and makers.

Our Guests

Tara Tiger Brown

Tara Tiger Brown is the co-founder of KitHub, creative electronics kits for kids. She is also the co-founder of Connected Camps, an online Minecraft summer camp for kids. She is the founder and Board Chair for the LA Makerspace, a community space for DIY enthusiasts in Los Angeles. Tara also serves as Technology Director for UC Irvine Digital Media Research Hub.

Mark Hatch

Mark is CEO and co-founder of TechShop and a recognized leader in the global maker movement. Under his leadership, TechShop revenue grew 20-fold in five years and multiple new locations have opened across the US. In 2013, his book The Maker Movement Manifesto was released by McGraw-Hill Education.

Jane Werner

Jane Werner’s 33 years of museum experience includes 24 years at The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh where she served as Program Director, Deputy Director and currently Executive Director. Werner leads the team responsible for all aspects of the Museum’s mission and vision, exhibits, public programming, funding and operations.

Learn more about our guests by downloading the discussion guide.

Resources

Download the accompanying discussion guide for more information about the episode, discussion questions, biographies of the guests featured in the episode, online articles, resources, and much more!

Download the award for this episode to show that you participated in the discussion.

View this infographic about the principles of maker education.

Want to learn more about iQ: smartparent? Email us at education@wqed.org.