Categories
Annoucements

Open For Business

After months of hard work, Lowell Makes is open for business.

We had our floor professionally ground and polished, and with help of awesome volunteers, we repaired and painted the walls and floor.  Machines have been donated or loaned to us.  Countless other things got done by many enthusiastic supporters.

On November 1, 2013 we had our formal grand opening with approximately 40 people in attendance.  Remarks were made by city and state officials prior to the ribbon cutting:

  • Helena Fruscio – Creative Industry Director for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
  • Adam Baacke – City of Lowell Assistant City Manager
  • Patrick Murphy – City of Lowell Mayor and City Councilor
Ribbon cutting
Photo by Jennifer Myers

The event had many pieces of equipment on display, and demonstrations of electronics, and a version of the Epilog laser engraver and cutter we will be ordering.

Laser engraver-cutter demonstration
Photo by Jennifer Myers

Please join now as an early member of Lowell Makes – check out the options.  Early members with a monthly or annual membership will be given free or steeply discounted membership months to reward them for their vision and support.  Early members are provided with a key to Lowell Makes until we install our card access system in exchange for helping open the place for visitors, classes and demonstrations.

Artisans and entrepreneurs are talking to us about dedicated space at Lowell makes – let us know if you could use some dedicated space.  One thing that really helps sustain and grow a makerspace is having a community of resident makers who help fill the place with creative energy.

If you are interested in volunteering or dedicated space, please email us at info [at] lowellmakes [dot] com.

Categories
Hackathon

Grand Opening Hackathon

Lowell Makes is holding our grand opening Friday November 1, 2013 at 10AM and to kick things off properly we will be holding a 24 hour hackathon the next day.  Details below:

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Nov 2 – 3, 2013 (view all dates)

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make something that does anything, or anything that does something, from scratch—in 24 hours.

This 24-hour hackathon is from 12:00 PM on November 2nd to 12:00 PM on November 3rd.

It will take place at:
Lowell Makes
47 Lee St
Lowell MA 01852

It could be an artistic piece which moves or interacts with its surrounding in some way, it could be a robot or automated pet feeder, some electronic gadget built around an Arduino, it could be software, or it could be any combination of any of those things or whatever else you imagine. The one thing your creation is not allowed to do, however, is…do nothing.

Be prepared to explain the inspiration and techniques behind your creation to people who come by while you’re making it, and during the judging and observation period after the hackathon.

PRIZES

First Place
$500
A $500 check

Second Place
$250
A $250 check

Third Place
$100
A $100 check

Runner Up (3)
$50
A $50 check

ELIGIBILITY

Any individual or team may participate in this hackathon. Everyone must be at least 18 years of age or have a parent or legal guardian present who will be responsible for them during the hackathon. All participant and parents/guardians must sign liability waivers and acknowledgement of Lowell Makes’ Code of Conduct and Safety Rules.

REQUIREMENTS

All creations must do something, and must have been built at Lowell Makes. Creations must be functional, but may be physical, digital, electronic/electromechanical or be in any other form. Software, apps and embeded code running on hardware qualifies.

All submissions must be completed within the 24-hour period of the hackathon and entrants must be present at the end of the hackathon during the judging and observation period.