Experimenting, tinkering, trying out: The first MakerDay in Saalfelden on 18 October 2018 combined traditional craftsmanship with future technologies. Interested people of all ages could immerse themselves in free entry into the world of (digital) technology.

Do it yourself is trendy. But DIY is not just “crafting” and pastime – it also includes valuable key skills. In a playful way, the organizers want to inspire MINT topics and creativity. The popular event format, organized by Salzburg Research, took place on 18 October 2018 for the first time in the Innergebirg. In total, about 500 children, adolescents and adults could be enthralled for MINT.

“In German: Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften und Technik (Mathematics, computer science, science and technology) – MINT for short – are important key competences that are desperately sought. However, programming skills alone are not enough if creativity is lacking – because that is the only way to create innovations. Making enables this creative use of new technologies and also opens up possibilities for unconventional approaches, “says Siegfried Reich, Managing Director of the Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft.

MINT for Pupils and All Interested People

In the morning, a total of 42 workshops were offered for school classes. The program included barking bananas, home-made vibrobots, upcycling with LEDs, letterpress, concrete, metal and plastics processing, drawing and animation on the Web. 238 pupils from elementary schools, new middle schools and polytechnic schools from the Pinzgau region were very much at work. Under the guidance of professionals, they could immerse themselves in old and new techniques and try them out.

In the afternoon, the doors were open for all: DIY enthusiasts, inventors, creators, all those interested in DIY could try both digital future technologies as well as traditional craft. Children and adults were invited to program robots, design “spirographers”, experiment with 3D modelling and 3D printing, or experiment with concrete, metal and plastic, and much more.

The participation in MakerDay Saalfelden was free of charge for all participants thanks to financial support from the State of Salzburg. The organizer was the Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft. The partners included the HTL Saalfelden, the DO!LAB, the bookbindery Fuchs, Verein Spektrum, Kompass Mädchenberatung, Coding Club and Salzburg Research.

MakerDay Saalfelden: https://www.makerdays.at/mdsaalfelden/

Press release (in German): MakerDay: Hunderte Interessierte werkten in Saalfelden