In May, nearly 500 people attended a ChangeMaker Faire at Amana Academy. The family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness coincided with Georgia STEM Day. It was the first event of its kind in the city of Alpharetta and was part science fair, part county fair and something 
entirely new. The all-ages gathering included tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students, and commercial exhibitors. The event was a celebration of the Maker Movement, a national movement that consists of individuals with diverse skill sets who create sophisticated devices, gadgets, technology products and more.
Those attending the inaugural event had the opportunity to participate in STEM and STEAM-related activities such as Geocaching in Willis Park and hands-on building inside a STEAM truck run by Community Guilds, an Atlanta nonprofit. They also learned from a variety of “makers” who showcased new technologies and experiment across the spectrum of science, engineering, art, performance and craft. “Makers” at the event included Amana students in grades K-8, Roswell Fire Labs, Geekspace Gwinnett, Buttercup STEAM Camp, and Team O.S.C.A.R from Roswell High.
