The Creative Discovery Museum will "Make It" Days on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16, from 12-4 p.m.
Make It Days encourages and teaches children to use real tools and technology to bring the stuff of their imagination into reality. These two days are Creative Discovery Museum's version of a festival of invention, creativity and resourcefulness for children. It's a celebration of both the professional engineers whose jobs are to design things and the creative, innovative folks in our community who enjoy the challenge and fun of making things.
More than "how-to" content or "DIY," the term "making" now describes any activity that uses an element of creative skills to make or design something on your own.
Makers do more than follow instructions; they design, establish processes and use trial and error to create everything from a recycled cardboard art piece to a handmade clothing item to a robot or other programmable device.
Officials said, "The art of making is an important activity because it develops fine motor and problem solving skills, encourages persistence and follow-through and provides an opportunity for creative expression. 'Make It; gives kids of all ages ways to explore different types of media and design to make their own unique inventions. Children will also learn how they can continue the 'Make It' fun at home."
"It is really inspiring to see the amazing creativity expressed by a diverse group of children and the variety of ways kids solve challenges as they make cool stuff," said Karen Dewhirst, Museum Science manager. "Children will get ideas and develop new skills that will encourage them to continue the Make It fun at home."
Make It Days includes local mentors involved in engineering and the Maker Movement called "Make It Mentors." Make It Mentors will be stationed at each activity to provide guidance to children in the completion of the activity. Locally, this event is supported by Chattanooga Area Society of Women Engineers, Chattanooga Public Library, Southeast TN STEM Innovation Hub, Co-Lab, Chatt*Lab, Chattanooga State Community College and Theater Department, Chattanooga Engineering Club, and the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers.