116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Maker and Technology Fest coming to Cedar Rapids downtown Library Saturday
Learn about the integration of creativity and technology from area professionals and hands-on, family friendly activities
CEDAR RAPIDS — Technology and creativity will meet at the Cedar Rapids Public Library with the Maker and Technology Fest coming to the Downtown Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13, 2024
The Fest will include demonstrations, hands-on activities and presentations that showcase the ways area organizations and makers are using both maker and emerging technologies — including technology available to use in the library's Maker Spaces.
At 11 a.m. in the library’s Whipple Auditorium, health care professionals from UnityPoint Health will talk about the development of a makerspace within a hospital setting. The presentation will be given by UnityPoint Health Nursing Research & Innovation Coordinator Rose Hedges and UnityPoint Health Makerspace Program Coordinator Nick Dodds. They will dive into the valuable lessons learned and showcase innovative projects that clinicians are creating in a presentation called “Innovation at the Heart of Healing: The Hospital Makerspace Journey.”
At 1 p.m. in Whipple Auditorium, a Collins Aerospace scientist will give a presentation about artificial intelligence. The speaker, Joseph Engler, created the Collins Aerospace Enterprise AI named Allison. He is responsible for the direction of the Allison AI Lab, including research and development, product generation and AI services.
Throughout the day, guests have the opportunity to use an Oculus 3D virtual reality headset or a gaming controller to walk through a digital building before it is built. Learn how designers and architects at OPN Architects, a firm in Cedar Rapids, use virtual reality and visualization software to conceptualize new ideas, experience volume and scale, and integrate materiality into spaces. See physical architectural models to learn how architects use 3D printing technology and digital fabrication when designing new buildings.
High school robotics teams will give demonstrations and run mock matches of their robots. Students and coaches from robotics teams at Metro, Xavier and Linn-Mar high schools will be on hand to answer questions.
Other activities Saturday include:
- Light up cards with Collins Aerospace: Families are invited to this hands-on interactive activity to take home.
- Iowa City Public Library Digital Makerspace: The Cedar Rapids Public Library laser printer and tools from the Iowa City Public Library will be paired for this activity using Adobe Illustrator to create and print a unique design.
- Marion Public Library Makerspace: Learn about technology available at the Marion Public Library and see their knitting machine.
The Maker and Technology Fest is supported by Sunrise Builders and Alliant Energy.
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