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Elk Grove library patrons show talent at Maker Day

Projects involving robotics, 3-D printing, soldering and origami were among the dozens of displays Sunday at the Elk Grove Village Public Library.

The Maker Day event gave visitors a chance to learn about various forms of art, science, technology, engineering and mathematics through demonstrations, engineering challenges and hands-on activities.

It also allowed local innovators, entrepreneurs and hobbyists to show off their talents, said Nancy Broten-Munson, adult services librarian.

"(The event) is really about people coming together to share ideas and learn from each other," she said.

Maker Day was co-sponsored by the Golden Corridor MakerSpace project, which is working with Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg to create and implement a MakerSpace within the community, said Paul Heitman, a steering committee member. The group is partnering with libraries and schools to get people of all ages interested in "the maker movement" - the idea of creating products from wood, metal, electronics and new technologies, he said.

During the event, engineering students from Elk Grove High School showed off 3-D printers, as well as a vehicle they built. Lovely Lego Ladies, a robotics team of middle school students from Crystal Lake, demonstrated a robot they created out of Legos. A local artist displayed the costumes made for various events, including plays and comic conventions.

"We have such a wide variety of talents in our community," Broten-Munson said. "We really think of ourselves as a community of makers."

  Elk Grove High School students Jacob Gehring, 18, left, and Radek Lucarz, 14, show off a 3-D printer, which Gehring built himself, during a Maker Day event Sunday at the Elk Grove Village Public Library. Lauren Rohr/lrohr@dailyherald.com
  Crystal Lake residents Allie Klauser, left, and Molly Wacaser, both 12, show off a Lego robot created by the Lovely Lego Ladies robotics team. The group had a display at the Maker Day event Sunday at the Elk Grove Village Public Library. Lauren Rohr/lrohr@dailyherald.com
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