Speaker Event: How Makerspaces Are Transforming Disaster Relief And Aid Efforts
Reston, VA (PRWEB) October 09, 2014 -- The Refraction Reston co-working space will host a special speaker event on October 14, 2014, “How makerspaces are transforming disaster relief and aid efforts.” The evening panel discussion and networking event will feature makerspace pioneer Sam Bloch, whose Communitere disaster relief organization launched the first makerspace in Haiti; Isabella Musachio, who heads up Arlington’s TechShop makerspace; and Reston-based Nova Labs founder Ted Markson. RSVP for the limited space event at https://nvite.com/PHCommunitere/b20.
The event speakers will share first-hand experience on the transformative role makerspaces are playing in global disaster relief in Haiti, the Philippines, and areas ravaged by hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes and other natural disasters; how makers are collaborating with aid groups locally and abroad to improve disaster relief efforts through the use of 3D printers and other high tech tools; as well as efforts and innovation by makerspaces in the DC region.
EVENT SPEAKERS
Sam Bloch, Communitere – Sam began working in disaster relief in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian Tsunami, where he led the reconstruction of a costal village. Bloch founded Communitere, a pioneering disaster relief nonprofit that has brought the first makerspace to Haiti, and is now working to launch a makerspace in the Philippines in response to Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Isabella Musachio, TechShop – Isabella opened and currently manages the TechShop makerspace in Arlington, Virginia. TechShop is an open-access, DIY makerspace and fabrication studio with over $1 million worth of professional equipment and software that is made available to the community.
Ted Markson, Nova Labs – Ted is founder of Nova Labs, a community-based makerspace in Reston, Virginia that was created in 2011 for the purpose of empowering everyone to rediscover the joy of making things.
EVENT TIME/LOCATION
October 14, 2014
6pm to 9pm
Refraction: 11911 Freedom Drive, Suite 850, Reston VA 20190
Drinks and snacks provided
RSVP here - https://nvite.com/PHCommunitere/b20
MAKERSPACES FOR DISASTER RELIEF
Makerspaces, resource centers and co-working spaces represent a major departure from traditional aid and relief efforts by enabling local citizen ‘makers’ and skilled innovators to collaborate and create needed products using 3D printers and other high-tech tools in developing nations and areas where disaster response is challenged by a lack of access to traditional infrastructure and needed supplies. 3D printers are being used at these spaces to create splints, crutches, spare parts for oxygen generators, and other disaster relief supplies.
About Refraction
Refraction, a forward-thinking co-working space in the heart of Reston Town Center, empowers collaboration and innovation among entrepreneurs and startups from diverse industries – though mainly in the Software as a Service (SaaS) sector. Unlike traditional co-working spaces that are restricted to technology startups, Refraction was developed and designed to spur “experiments in collaboration” by focusing on startups and organizations across vibrant tech, nonprofit and artist communities that are past the ideation stage and looking to scale. To learn more about Refraction, visit http://refractionpoint.org/.
About Canvas
Canvas is an easy, fast and economical way for businesses to find, customize and create mobile forms to replace paper forms. Canvas is a cloud-based software service that enables users to collect information using mobile devices, share that information and integrate with existing backend systems. Canvas also offers the first mobile business application store of its kind, allowing businesses from diverse industries to find mobile forms specific to their needs. To learn more, visit http://www.goCanvas.com.
Brian Lustig, Bluetext for Canvas, http://www.bluetext.com, +1 3017756203, [email protected]
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