Wide Bay Makeathon 2023
Wide Bay Makeathon 2023
Are you someone who enjoys building and solving problems? Whether you're a retiree, a professional, a tradie, or a student, if you love tinkering and creating something from scratch, you might want to consider joining a Makeathon. In March, TOM Wide Bay Makeathon is calling for participants who are keen to collaborate with people with disabilities to co-design and build prototypes that can enhance their daily lives.
The TOM Wide Bay Makeathon is a gathering that brings together Need-Knowers - people with disabilities who face specific sports and recreation challenges - and Makers - a diverse group of individuals, including hobbyists, professionals, students, tradies, and problem-solvers. The aim of the event is to create technological solutions that can address the accessibility challenges faced by people with disabilities, which do not currently exist in the market. This year, the Makeathon's theme is sport and recreation.
The TOM Makeathon has made a difference for people with disabilities worldwide, as demonstrated by several past projects. For example, one project developed an adjustable basketball hoop to help children with physical disabilities engage in playing basketball and improve their motor skills. Another project created a wheelchair with flexible standing positions to enable people in wheelchairs to play golf.
TOM: Wide Bay Makeathon is an event that takes place throughout March at Community Lifestyle Support, aiming to create solutions for people with disabilities. Everyday people are invited to come together to collaborate and address the challenges faced by people with disabilities. If you are interested in participating, you can find more information on how to register for the event here.
The event consists of several online and in-person gatherings throughout March. The first event, Pre TOM, is an online event on March 1st, designed to introduce participants to TOM: Melbourne and each other. Makers will also receive an introduction to Disability Awareness and Inclusive Design from experts, while starting to understand the challenge.
Design Night, the second event, takes place online on March 8th and kicks off the ideation process. Teams will come together to work on initial concepts and designs on March 15th.
The main event, Makeathon, is on March 25th and 26th, when Makers will meet the Need-Knowers in person to put their theories, concepts, and designs into action and start making prototypes.
Finally, on March 26th, Showcase is the event where solutions will be presented and demonstrated. Teams will explain how their bespoke solutions aim to assist in overcoming the Need-Knower's unique challenge. The Showcase will be live-streamed via TOM's online channels from 5:30-6:30 pm AEST.
The event is free to attend and is a fully catered event, with all materials and machinery provided. You only need to bring yourself.
If you are interested in joining the TOM Wide Bay Makeathon, applications for Makers are still open. To find out more information contact the MAKI Space or register your interest here.
