The Maker Movement and Me: 4 years and still failing awesome!

Super-Awesome Sylvia — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 19:45:19 +0000

Hey there peeps! In case you didn't know, My name is Sylvia and I’m a 12 year old girl from Northern California, and I've been making this Super-Awesome webshow all about how to make cool stuff since 2010, from paper rockets, to Arduino microcontrollers, to weird and sticky slime. I even try to show awesome experiments, and visualize how stuff works, or the science behind it. I really got inspired to get into making this show and the maker movement by going to Maker Faire, this huge event where thousands of people come to see or show off amazing things they have made. If you haven't heard about it, check out the info here, or see my first Maker Faire Episode.

Before going to my third Maker Faire when I was 8, my dad and I wanted to bring something cool to show off, but we weren’t very good at making real things, so we decided to make a show! I sung the theme song, we made a lab coat, I ran around and did crazy stuff for the intro, and then I built a kit and experimented with it for everyone to see. When we finished, I drew up my very own business card that we then handed out at Maker Faire only a few days later. I got noticed by a bunch of cool people, and by Summer I was doing shows for Make Magazine online, and less than a year later, I was on the cover of Make Magazine! People around the country were asking me to come talk (TEDx Redmond, TEDx San Jose), teach (CMK, STEAM Day), or just be there and make things with them. It was crazy!

"I want more people to become less focused on success, and more on just trying new things outside their comfort zone."

Now that I’ve done a lot, and gone to a lot of places, like Kansas city, New york, and even outside the US because of the show I've done, I've learned so much about persistence, drive, and... frustration. Recently, I went to TEDx San Diego and I did a talk! It was so cool to be there and meet so many awesome people, but the talk itself on stage was crazy hard to do! I practiced so much and did it perfectly off stage, but actually being on stage is completely different... and I forgot most of my talk.

I completely failed and got everyone confused, but I got my message out. I learned a lot and I even got a standing ovation just by being honest about how hard it was! I was so happy to know that the audience understood that I want more people to become less focused on success, and more on just trying new things outside their comfort zone. People stop themselves, and get stuck on that first step. Making and creating is one of those things that people need that little push of inspiration to get them started. That’s where I think I can come in. I really want my shows to be a resource for kids or adults (and especially girls) who are still stuck on that first step, and need a little push.

The first baby steps are hard, only because it’s your choice to take them and then to deal with the fact that you might not be very good at first. And sometimes girls who might want to get into electronics or making things can sometimes get stuck because they think it’s only for boys... and that SUCKS! And sometimes they think they'll look uncool or stupid in front of their peers. WRONG! Ignore them, anything you create is unique and your own, even if you copied some part of the idea and built on it, everyone starts from something.

I hope all you peeps reading have been inspired, and maybe gotten that tiny little push you needed. Always remember if you’re ever bored or need to get out of your chair, just get out there and make something!!!!! And don’t be sad if it doesn’t work or you totally fail, I’m proof that it’s never the end when that happens, only the beggining of you getting better.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!! SLAMACOW! TOPS-BLOOBY!

Tags

Maker Movement, home, TEDx, Super-Awesome, adventure, TEDx San Diego

Best gift day ever

Super-Awesome Sylvia — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:53:37 +0000

Made even better by my Aunt Suzy who painted this Super-Awesome picture of me and "GleepGlop" my robot friend.

We've got big news as we rocket off into the new year!! Planning a whole new year of Mini episodes (one for every month @ MakeZine.com), and we'll be coming and presenting at Dare 2B Digital in San Jose, CA on Saturday February 16, 2012, and then again we'll be out on the road this summer over at Constructing Modern Knowledge 2012 in Manchester, NH. We'll also be setting up a way to make sure we get our full episodes out. We managed to finish out 2011 without more than 2 :'('!!

There's also some top secret plans in the works for more amazing fun stuff for parents, teachers, accessible integration with makeprojects.com and lots lots more.

Stay tuned for more fun, and remember to get out there and make something!

Tags

art, Super-Awesome, painting, Suzy, space, astronomy, news

It's my birthday and Christmas rolled into one!!!!

Super-Awesome Sylvia — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 05:15:14 +0000

OMG!!!

(Yes, it's heavy. And yes, this will be in an episode soon!)

Now we just need to make the MakerBot. A little help TechNinja? :)

Thanks a billion Bre! You're the awesome-est awesome New York dude ever!

Tags

Bre Pettis, MakerBot, Super-Awesome, bot, CNC, plastic, extruder

Maker Show Episode 2 - Maker Faire 2010!!

Super-Awesome Sylvia — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 03:12:50 +0000

Sylvia Goes to Maker Faire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUT2bi24mXs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEB7CVVPjMg

Me and my Dad finally finished episode 2 of my Super-Awesome Maker show, and here it is. Have fun! Tell your friends! Submit an idea!. And most of all, let us know what you think of the show in comments, here or on youtube. Thanks again for watching!

Tags

Adam Savage, craft, Eepybird, imagination, Ladyada, Maker Faire, Natalie Zee drieu, Super-Awesome

Sylvia's Super-Awesome Maker Show! - Super-Awesome

The Maker Movement and Me: 4 years and still failing awesome!

"I want more people to become less focused on success, and more on just trying new things outside their comfort zone."

YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!! SLAMACOW! TOPS-BLOOBY!

Tags

Best gift day ever

Tags

It's my birthday and Christmas rolled into one!!!!

Thanks a billion Bre! You're the awesome-est awesome New York dude ever!

Tags

Maker Show Episode 2 - Maker Faire 2010!!

Tags