TechShop, the network of membership-supported fab spaces, asks “What do you want to make?” For the last couple of years, the Young Makers program has asked a similar question, adding a couple of letters to it: “What do youth want to make?”

This Sunday afternoon, November 6th, TechShop and the Young Makers program team up to co-host a meet-and-greet at TechShop San Francisco. Young Makers are coming to infiltrate … er … get acquainted with TechShop, recruit TechShop members to become mentors this season, start new clubs to build projects for next spring’s Maker Faire, and generally get to know one another. Autodesk will be there, too, to lead workshops on their new software Sketchbook (on the iPad) and 123D Make (on the PC).

From a pilot club a couple of years ago, the Young Makers program has grown to include dozens of Maker Clubs in the Bay Area and beyond. Kids bring ideas, and the program connects them with adult mentors and shop facilities. The completed projects are exhibited each year at Maker Faire. We’re always looking to better tools and shops — and the insight of helpful mentors — to build our projects, so the Young Makers are keen to come check out what TechShop is all about.

Should you come? Yes! If one of these describe you:

• You are under 18 and want to make something for Maker Faire (or you are the parent of a maker-to-be under 18). We suggest the program works best for kids who are over 12, too.
• You are a kid or an adult who wants to start a Maker Club at your school or after-school program, in your community or neighborhood, etc.
• You’re an adult who wants to mentor kids to help them make things (and are currently a member of — or may join — TechShop.)

Space is limited. Check out more details, and please do RSVP if you plan on attending (so we can slice enough cheese for the sandwiches — lunch will be provided).

Young Makers was started as a collaboration between Pixar, the Exploratorium’s Tinkering Studio, and MAKE magazine/Maker Faire with the goal of inspiring and developing the next generation of makers, creators, and innovators. To find out more, visit youngmakers.org.

TechShop is a membership-based workshop that provides members with access to tools and equipment, instruction, and a community of creative and supportive people so they can build the things they have always wanted to make.