Amman Design Week launches Mobile MakerSpace’s tour in governorates

AMMAN — In a move aimed at reaching people from all areas of Jordan and at enriching their educational programmes, the Amman Design Week on Sunday launched the “Mobile MakerSpace 2017”, starting off a trip to several governorates in the Kingdom, the organisers said in a press statement.

This year’s “Mobile MakerSpace” will be similar to last year’s “MakerSpace” version, as an interactive space that brings people together to exchange design-related knowledge, skills and resources.

The mobile educational facility aims to provide school students with the opportunity to learn through interactive sessions in several fields including handicrafts, recycling, sustainable materials, digital manufacturing and robotics.

In addition to providing participants the tools and raw materials to design inventions, the “Mobile MakerSpace” will be the first workshop for technology enthusiasts, craftsmen, engineers, scientists and designers of all ages.

It will run through September 28, visiting schools in the four governorates of Irbid, Zarqa, Mafraq and Karak before settling in the capital for the Amman Design Week held on October 6-14.

“This year’s programme aims to introduce state-of-the-art technologies to public school students, aged between 14 and 17 years-old, across the Kingdom, while organising workshops focusing on recycling and environmental awareness to revive the idea of using the materials that are available around us,” said Haya Bustami, who runs the “Mobile MakerSpace” programme along with Walid Jankhout.

The “Mobile MakerSpace” will enable 500 students to participate in a school programme organised the sponsorship of Art Media, Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation and Zain, as well as the logistical support of INJAZ and the Ministry of Education.

Field trips for public and private schools students are also scheduled to provide 800 youth with the opportunity to explore the Amman Design Week exhibitions in Ras Al Ain and involve them in the design workshops and crafts manufacturing in the “Mobile MakerSpace” exhibition.

This year’s student programme includes the first ever student exhibition at the Ras Al Ain Gallery from October 6-14, which brought together a group of high school and university students working alongside industry professionals and experts in a six-month educational programme.