$117K grant from Baxter funds first Lake County Maker Week at CLC
Funded by a $117,000 grant from the Baxter International Foundation, College of Lake County (CLC) presents the first of a multi-year STEM and entrepreneurial Lake County Maker Week aimed at K through 12 students. The inaugural event takes place April 18-25, 2020 and includes a 4-H Robotics Showcase, Lake County Robotics Competition, Big Idea Jr. (a "Shark Tank" type of event), Rube Goldberg competition and culminates with the first Maker Faire Lake County. All Maker Week events will be located on CLC's Grayslake Campus and open to the public.
Funding from the Baxter International Foundation will be used in part to purchase robotics kits for the Lake County Robotics Competition as well as the 4-H Robotics Showcase. Each kit features 650 building elements, including aluminum and plastic pieces, connectors, wheels, several motors, batteries and two controllers, including one that allows either programmed or driver-controlled operation. The CLC Engineering Transfer department is partnering with the Holly Kim Foundation to run this first-ever Lake County Robotics Competition. The department is also working with the University of Illinois Extension in Grayslake to facilitate the 4-H Robotics Showcase.
Maker Week seeks to increase awareness and participation of STEM and entrepreneurship activities in the Lake County community. Maker Week and its associated activities are intended to grow the "maker" and entrepreneurial culture by providing a shared space for STEM, Maker, entrepreneur enthusiasts and professionals to exchange ideas. This program will broadly increase involvement by K-12 students in STEM-related activities, particularly those in underfunded districts.
Maker Faire Lake County
Maker Faire Lake County is the flagship event of Maker Week. Held on Monday, April 25 in CLC's Physical Education Center on the Grayslake Campus, Maker Faire Lake County will be interactive and educational in all kinds of ways. From simple conversations and detailed explanations to amazing, do-it-yourself demonstrations, Maker Faire is all about participation and sharing. Makers develop exhibits with hands-on activities as well as present their innovations and unusual objects.
Makers see the possible and then make it happen. The goal of the Maker Faire is to bring as many Lake County makers together to celebrate the multifaceted fields of making, celebrate the unique Makers in our region, promote self-esteem, education and economic development and highlight the Baxter Innovation Lab at CLC.
A Call for Makers is expected to go out in early 2020. Companies, non-profits, school groups and individuals are encouraged to apply to exhibit. For more information about the Maker Faire Lake County, visit www.clcillinois.edu/events/makerweek.
Lake County Robotics Competition
Lake County Robotics Competition is envisioned as a low-cost, low-barriers introduction to robotics. The goal of the robotics competition is to get middle and high school students excited about robotics by lowering the cost and time commitment typical of nationally based competitions. The CLC Engineering Transfer department has several robotics kits funded by Baxter's grant, each worth more than $1,000, available for qualifying schools, community organizations, libraries, etc. The new competition has eliminated entry fees, making it an affordable program for 8th-12th graders interested in robotics. More information on the Lake County Robotics Competition can be found at www.clcillinois.edu/lcrc.
4-H Robotics Showcase
Maker Week kicks off on Saturday, April 18 with the 4-H Robotics Showcase. This event is the culmination of a grade-school robotics program run by Illinois 4-H through the UIUC Extension office in Grayslake.
"Illinois has a long history of supporting robotics programs through 4-H clubs and after-school programs," said Sandra Prez, extension educator, 4-H Youth Development. "Through robotics, our 4-H youth improve their communication and teamwork skills by working in teams the way scientists and engineers do. In 4-H Robotics, youth gain experience in problem-solving and decision-making as they develop knowledge and skills related to robotics and engineering design process." Students interested in the 4-H Robotics program can learn more at https://extension.illinois.edu/lm/4-h-lake-county.
Another goal of the Lake County Maker Week, said CLC Engineering Professor Rob Twardock, is to leverage the Baxter Innovation Lab, which opened on CLC's Grayslake Campus in September 2018. Initially funded by a $175,000 grant from the Baxter International Foundation, the facility is a non-profit instructional makerspace/fab lab and the first public lab of its kind in Lake County. Located in Rooms T120/121 on the campus' north side, the lab provides the space and equipment for individuals or groups to design and fabricate prototypes, as well as proofs of concept, with a variety of software, tools and equipment. The facility has equipment primarily for 2D and 3D CAD design and digital fabrication, including 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills and routers, vinyl print/cut machines and more. In addition, equipment is available for woodworking, metalworking, electronics and programming. The Baxter Innovation Lab will house several activities during Maker Week events.
For more information on Maker Week activities, contact Twardock at rtwardock@clcillinois.edu or (847) 543-2903; or visit www.clcillinois.edu/events/makerweek.
About College of Lake County:
College of Lake County is an innovative community college in Lake County, Ill. that transforms lives with its variety of accessible, quality education options. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, College of Lake County provides affordable options in a state-of-the-art setting close to home. A large student network, with small class sizes,
provides advantages to our students on a career-related program or a path toward a transfer degree. We're proud to serve the diverse needs of our community and student body. Connect to your future today at College of Lake County. For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu.