On November 15, 2019 at 11.00 a.m. the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan together with the Republican Youth and Children’s Library named after Bayalinov will cut the ribbon for an upgraded and renovated Maker Space Science Lab and Fair at the Bishkek American Center. The initial Maker Space lab was opened on September 26, 2017 at the Bayalinov library with the support of the U.S. Embassy.
The Lab opening will be coinciding with the National Tech and Science Fest final competition at Bishkek American Center. Starting from September seven American Corners in Kyrgyzstan have been conducting Tech and Science Camps to choose 3 inventions or maker projects to compete with other inventors at Bishkek American Center.
This Fair will engage children, youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds. The younger visitors will be able to attend various workshops on recycling, design, robotics, science experiments etc. Some workshops will be showcasing the STEM-themed book translation program titles. The Book Translation Program has translated more than 50 American books with the print run of 123,250 into Kyrgyz to encourage reading among youth and promote the local publishing industry. The translated books are distributed free of charge to seven American Corners, and to schools, and public libraries throughout the country.
It will also include professional presentations by the U.S. Embassy STEM-themed exchange programs alumni for older visitors. They will share their experience on visiting science, technology and engineering companies and programs in the United States. At the host library lobby Bishkek STEM and IT companies and organizations will present their inventions and products.
Youth, high school and university students, young inventors from all over Kyrgyzstan, educators and academia, USG alumni, reps of the Educational and Culture ministries, families and general public will attend this big program.
The representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism of Kyrgyzstan and the U.S. Embassy, Bishkek and Chui oblast high school and university students, librarians and general public will attend the opening ceremony.
The Maker Space movement was established in 2005 in California, USA. Maker Space is a collaborative workspace, where audience learns by making, exploring and sharing ideas. It is the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
Maker Space Bishkek will be a remarkable and vibrant 160 square meters space, showcasing Maker Space equipment and giving the audience a unique opportunity to have hands-on experience with 3D printing, robotics, electronics and science experiments, gadgets and other STEM materials and offering workshops and trainings in computer coding, tinkering, soldering, robotics etc.
Media representatives interested in covering the events may contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office by email at BishkekPAS@state.gov or by phone at 0312 597000, 0770 770299.
All the programs and workshops are open and free of charge.
The event program:
Maker Space Room 11:00-11:30 Ribbon-cutting and official opening ceremony
11:30-12:00 Tour of the whole site
Library Lobby 12:00-15:00 Fair of the invited Tech and STEM companies
Bishkek American Center 12:00-13:00 The final competition of the Tech and Science Fest
Arts Room 12:00-15:00 Sand art, origami, etc. workshops by Altyn Tuiun, Center for Children development
Bishkek American Center 13:00-13:40 Talks by 2018 IVLP Maker Movement in STEM alumni
Bishkek American Center 14:00-15:30 Women in STEM Presentations
Workshop room 13:00-14:00 Python programing workshop by Women Techmakers
Maker Space 13:00-14:00 Arduino workshop by Satellite Girls
Theater room 13:00-14:00 “Where the wild things are”, play in Kyrgyz, by Rabayat children theater, based on the original book by Maurice Sendak (Book Translation Program title)
Workshop room 14:00-15:00 Scratch programing workshop by Code Generation
Maker Space 14:00-15:00 Lego Mindstorm workshop by Liga Robotov
Crafts room 13:00-15:00 Recycling and upcycling crafts workhsops: using plastic bottles, old magazines etc., Coffee Art; Pin-making.
Kiteplandia 13:00-15:00 STEM-related book translation program group readings and games in Kyrgyz
Showroom 12:00-15:00 DNA academy science shows and experiments
Showroom 15:00-16:00 Robotics Challenge by Technoland
Bishkek American Center 15:30-16:30 First steps into programming workshop by Neobis Club
Library Lobby 16:00-16:30 Official closing
