Vision:
Maker Kids, a successful science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program with the hands-on innovation and do it yourself appeal of Maker Faire will be incorporated into a for-profit business with the help of the youth it inspires
and who inspire others with their creativity and vision. Youth who drive the success of the company will obtain entrepreneurial skills, earn revenues for sales of content and products and ultimately earn a piece of Maker Kids, Inc. itself.
Background and Early Success: Maker Kids has already reached hundreds of teachers and thousands of students in-school and online. Teachers, mentors and parents faciliate students, ages 8-14, making of inventions in
classrooms that they share off and online with classmates, friends and family members. Students grow with the program and become master Makers and mentors of other students and adults. For example, a group of our 10-year old Maker Kids students recently presented
their prototype of a scooter that generates energy when ridden and stores it in a rechargeable battery at Maker Faire.
Experience: The program was developed by Dr. Karen P. Kaun, an entrepreneur, educator and elearning expert whose work has been cited in the news media and in books for its innovation.
Built-In Audience: The success of Maker Kids, Inc. will be kickstarted by its built-in reach to teachers and students in the schools the program currently serves. The online community will be grown through the students'
reach and multiplier effect through their participation in social networks.
Maker Kids, Inc.: The for-profit company will leverage the momentum and revenue streams of the existing program while ramping up the online community for extended reach to a broader audience. Youth will be invited to
participate in the building of the content (e.g. "How To" videos that are, in turn, used by other students and teachers in classrooms to teach science), tools and offerings of the online community and rewarded with a number of incentives, including a share
in the company.
The Future We Are Creating: Youth, individually or collectively across the world, have knowledge and skills that are of value to others, yet they are not supported by educational institutions
that are entrenched in out-dated principles and practices. Maker Kids Inc. will inspire children to design, collaborate and create; start businesses and learn new skills that will take them future forward into adulthood.
