CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State University on May 28 will host "The Co.," an interactive event showcasing the wide array of "maker" activities happening in and around Corvallis.

The event, which is free and open to people of all ages, will run from noon to 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union ballroom, 2501 S.W. Jefferson Way, Corvallis.

Maker culture is a popular movement that honors craftsmanship and technology. It brings together do-it-yourself enthusiasts, designers and engineers to share knowledge, skills and resources - and to collaborate, innovate and create.

The Co. was designed to honor the simple act of creating and to allow campus and community groups to network. It will feature an array of activities including a maker fair, speakers, interactive demonstrations, kinetic sculptures from the da Vinci Days festival and more.

"Our title stems from the prefix of applicable words such as collaborate, co-design, co-create," said Charles Robinson, the event's director. "Our goal is to promote an inclusive culture that knocks down barriers and offers instead a collaborative model for making, creating, and hands-on learning."

Exhibitors at the maker fair include several OSU departments and programs such as wood science and art students from the College of Forestry, the College of Liberal Arts, the Craft Center, robotics, Precollege Programs, the College of Business, and the OSU Solar Vehicle Team.

Community exhibitors include Bricks 4 Kidz, da Vinci Days, NuScale Power, Corvallis Arts Center, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library and the Pacific Slope Archaeological Laboratory. A "2-D room" presented by the OSU libraries will focus on print technologies.

Scheduled presenters include Frankie Flood, associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, who teaches jewelry and metal-smith and oversees a digital craft research lab; Barry Kudrowitz, a toy designer, musician and engineer from MIT and the University of Minnesota; and OSU robotics professor Yigit Mengüc. A full list of speakers, times and locations will be posted online: http://gototheco.tumblr.com.

A maker film festival will be held in advance of the event. Maker-themed films such as "Handmade Nation" and "Maker: A Documentary on the Maker Movement" will be screened.  On May 19 and May 26, films will be shown in Owen Hall Room 103; on May 20 and May 27, screenings will be held in Milam Auditorium. All screenings begin at 6 p.m.

Satellite events will be held May 28 in Hood River and in Tillamook through a partnership with OSU's OPEN Campus network. The Hood River event will be held at Hood River Valley High School, 1220 Indian Creek Road.  The public is welcome from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Tillamook event will be held at Tillamook Bay Community College; details are still being finalized.

For a complete schedule and more information, or to sign up to exhibit at The Co., visit: http://gototheco.tumblr.com.

Source: 

Charles Robinson, 541-737-6535, [email protected]

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