Summary:  Conduct a student-led Maker Faire to spread a culture of creativity, innovation & entrepreneurship among the larger student community within and outside the school so that it can motivate and inspire many more students.

While ATL students are fortunate to have the opportunity to tinker, innovate and learn the ropes of entrepreneurship at the ATL, there are many more students across the country who don't have similar exposure or opportunities since their schools don't have an ATL.  At the same time, the knowledge and skills acquired by ATL students remain largely confined to their school.  If we are to become Change makers and make a larger impact on the society, we need to spread a culture of creativity, tinkering, innovation, and entrepreneurship among the larger student community through a variety of student-led initiatives.  This will create win-win opportunities for both ATL students as well as non-ATL students.

The Maker Faire can be planned, organized and conducted by ATL students themselves with active support from the school management, ATL in-charge and the Mentor.  This will encourage the students to take up a larger role to spread a culture of tinkering, innovation & entrepreneurship among their peers.  In the process, the students can also acquire communication, collaboration and leadership skills. 

The following tools can be used for conducting an online Maker Faire:

• Google Sites or Wix can be used for building the Maker Faire website.

• Google Forms can be used for registering students to the Maker Faire.

• Zoom or Google Meet can be used for conducting online sessions.

• YouTube Live or Facebook Live can be used for live-streaming online sessions to a larger audience.

• Canva can be used for creating posters to promote the Maker Faire among your target audience.

In November 2021, a group of 16 ATL students from 12 schools across 8 states of India came together to conduct a national-level Maker Faire under the guidance and mentorship of Mr. Kiran Kumar H S, Regional Mentor of Change associated with Atal Innovation Mission.  

Over the 3-days of the Maker Faire, the above students conducted live online webinars, panel discussions, technology and product demos to spread awareness about emerging digital technologies, 21st-century skills and entrepreneurship among thousands of students, teachers and mentors  across the country.  All sessions were live-streamed on YouTube.   The Maker Faire also had a web-presence, showcasing students' creations, innovations and entrepreneurial ventures on an web-portal.  

In the run-up to the Maker Faire, the above students run an intense marketing campaign for 7 days to drive participant registration.  Thousands of students, mentors and teachers registered for the Maker Faire from all over the country.  All those who registered for the Maker Faire were given exclusive access to an online Digital Skilling portal, allowing them to acquire skills in several digital tools & technologies.  Several WhatsApp groups were created to engage the registered participants.  Quizzes were conducted and prizes announced on a daily basis to keep up the momentum.  In all, the Maker Faire saw more than 5500 participants over 3 days from all across the country.  

Take a look at the Maker Faire website below:

Watch the recording of online Maker Faire sessions conducted by the ATL students below:

Role of School Management:  Conduct a student-led Maker Faire to spread a culture of creativity, tinkering, innovation and entrepreneurship among the larger student community.

Role of Students: Join your fellow tinkerers at the ATL to plan, organize and conduct a Maker Faire.  Showcase your creations and innovations.  Conduct tinkering sessions, webinars, panel discussions, demos, and more to the larger student community within and outside your school.  Demonstrate leadership, inspire your peers, and become a role-model for other students to emulate you.

Role of Mentor(s): Provide feedback and suggestions for students to plan, organize and conduct a Maker Faire.

Role of ATL In-charge:  Provide logistical and other support from the school for ATL students to plan, organize and conduct a Maker Faire.

Conduct a student-led Maker Faire at your ATL.  Submit the website link / screenshot(s) / video-recording of the Maker Faire event conducted at your ATL.