text: The Makevention event brings together artists, technologists, sustainable recycling makers, gearologists and many more as a community of makers and learners. The August 30, 2014 event, held at the Bloomington Convention Center, marked Makevention’s second successful year.
  This event draws together the local community of makers of all ages. It encourages family participation in the art and science of making familiar items like soap, hats, and jigsaw puzzles. Parents can learn how to pick locks, become a ham radio operator, and debug a sensor that is outputting bad data. Kids can play ball with a robot, build a Lego robot, make a hat from old clothing, make soap, or try to crack a word challenge puzzle. While attendees are having fun with these activities, they’re also learning about science, engineering, or building through hands-on activity—making.
  STEM learning is one of the main outcomes of this hands-on event. Parents encourage their children to participate in all activities which fosters an interest and curiosity in how things work, much like an interactive museum. By being free and open to the public, everyone is welcome and able to participate.