Birmingham Girl Scouts NSU 802 will practice their recycling skills this weekend at The Henry Ford for Maker Faire Detroit, where they'll be busy making functional gifts out of used items.
Many of the scouts' projects were made prior to setting up their station at Maker Faire, but the girls will be making plenty of custom duct tape bracelets for kids on site. They'll also show their skills with a wide range of other items, including: turning belts into funky bracelets, neckties and old magazines into sunglass holders, and making gift-wrapping bows from old calendars.
The idea to get involved with Maker Faire was Pam Graham's, who's daughter Maria is a girl scout. Graham, a Birmingham resident, said she wanted to find a way to bring Birmingham to Maker Faire, and is excited to lead to the girls at the event, which is expected to draw hundreds of creators and entrepreneaurs from around the region Saturday and Sunday.
“We’re very excited about being there,” Graham said. “Last year there was just really great energy. There were so many people making creative things and I think the girls will really enjoy this.”
The group of young girls involved in the project range from grades six through 12th from . Graham said the girls attended an art show in Berkley to try and sell their crafty gifts a couple of weeks ago and had plenty of treasures leftover.
Alongside the scouts at Maker Faire will be hundreds of technology and craft stations, offering everything from balloon art to electric-powered bicycles, science experiments and life-sized mousetrap and more.
“It’s a great program to attend. I think the girls will find other people making recycled things, people making robots, crafts and other stuff,” Graham said.
If you go:
- Where: The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village in Dearborn
- When: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- Cost: A one-day ticket is $19 for kids 5-12, $28 for adults 13-61 and $26 for seniors. A two-day pass is $99. Kids 4 and under are free.
- What else: While you're there, check out the IMAX theater, the Henry Ford museum, rides, a Rouge Factory tour and more.
- For more information: Visit www.makerfaire.com or call 313-982-6001.
