We’ve got so many free maker, entrepreneurship, grantwriting, and creativity workshops coming up in Niles (SW Michigan), Frankenmuth (mid-Michigan), and Marquette (Upper Peninsula)!

All are free, with free SCECH credits for K-12 educators. Register and find details at http://makinginmichiganlibraries.eventbrite.com .

NILES (SW MICHIGAN, NEAR INDIANA BORDER) – NEXT WEEK!

•  Introduction to the Maker Movement (Wed., 6/14, all day) – What is the "maker movement" and what role can it play in local communities, schools, and libraries? We'll talk about it and help you think about how to plan for a successful and sustainable maker program in your institution.
  
  
• Day of Design Thinking (Thurs., 6/15, all day) – learn how the strategies of design thinking can help your and your patrons solve problems, design solutions, and create inventions by studying what users need. One of our team members says this is the event she's most looking forward to this summer!
  
  
• Creating Design Challenges (Fri., 6/16, morning) – tired of your students/patrons just puttering? How can you help move them to intentional design decisions? We’ll use a variety of maker tools to help you think about how to integrate this into your program. A recent attendee said a few weeks ago that this event helped her think more clearly about how to integrate science and engineering principles! 
  
  
• Grantwriting/Gathering Financial Support (Fri., 6/16, afternoon) – Learn tips and strategies for writing better grants from someone who has reviewed grant proposals at the local and federal levels and secured over $800,000 in funding.

FRANKENMUTH (MID-MICHIGAN) – IN 2 WEEKS!

• Selling Handmade Goods Online (Tues., 6/20, morning) – How can schools and libraries help students and patrons not just start online shops at sites like Etsy, Smashwords, Society6, Zazzle, Shapeways, Zazzy, and thrive? We’ll look at how creating a community of craft entrepreneurs in a library/school setting can help maximize success.
  
  
•  Digital Art (Tuesday, 6/20, afternoon) – Brush up on your graphic design, photo editing, or video techniques with online tools. (We’re planning to bring our new 360-degree video camera, too, if you want to play!)

MARQUETTE (UPPER PENINSULA) – IN 3 WEEKS!

• Introduction to the Maker Movement (Tues., June 27, all day) – see above
  
  
• Design Thinking (Wed., 6/28, morning) – a half-day version of the Thurs., 6/15, event in Niles (above)
  
  
• Maker Idea Swap (Wed., 6/28, afternoon) – Come chat with fellow librarians and educators about what you’re doing to promote STEM, STEAM, making, and/or creativity in your institution. We take the notes for you!
  
  
• Fashion Hacking (Thurs., 6/29, morning) – Turn a pile of old t-shirts into costumes for kids? Turn old jeans into storage baskets, autograph pillows, or bags? Upcycle a leather jacket? Learn how to deconstruct clothes the Anatomy of Clothing way to help you and your students/patrons turn thriftstore bargains into one-of-a-kind creations.
  
  
• Selling Handmade Goods Online (Thurs., June 29, afternoon):  – same as Tues., 6/20 event in Frankenmuth (above)

If you’d like to learn more or register for these free workshops, please visit http://makinginmichiganlibraries.eventbrite.com or email contactmichiganmakers@umich.edu . Free SCECH credits for Michigan K-12 educators registered with the MDE system.

You can also learn there about July events in Frankenmuth (mid-Michigan) and Alpena (NE Lower Peninsula) as well as August events in Coopersville (near Grand Rapids), Houghton Lake (mid-Michigan), and Benzonia (near Traverse City).