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Student Creativity on Display at CPP's First Makers Fair

Tucker Dunbar tries to recruit passersby to the Bronco Makers Fair while wearing a Star Wars helmet and a Ghostbusters Proton Pack.

Innovation and creativity came together in physical form at Cal Poly Pomona's first ever Bronco Makers Fair. Hosted by the Bronco Makers Club, individuals and clubs of different disciplines were invited to display their passions in arts, business, science and technology.

A Makers Fair is a gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, painters and more. With 40 clubs and students participating, the Bronco Makers Fair allowed the 350 people in attendance to interact and experience the future built by others.

Held at University Park on April 11, the event gave students a free space to share their ideas or passions and understand new points of view.

In a world of mass-produced products, the "makers movement" is the shift created by modern technology that allows the individual to develop and distribute unique items that are not mass produced. Students who displayed their work at the Bronco Makers Fair showed that makers exist in a variety of fields.

Apparel merchandising and management students showcased prototypes of their senior project: CPP-branded apparel for students. Senior and manager, Agueda Gutierrez explained that she and her team created original designs, conducted market research, developed prototypes and tested fabrics. Soon after the exclusive preview at the Makers Fair, their apparel was available for purchase in the Bronco Bookstore.

Claudio Duarte holds gimballed rocket motor at the Bronco Makers Fair.Claudio Duarte holds gimballed rocket motor at the Bronco Makers Fair.

Theory applied was on display by the team of seniors working on the Thrust Vectoring Senior Project. Aerospace engineers showed attendees how they manipulate the direction of the thrust in a rocket with a demonstration on their self-made product. The team explained the trials and errors it took to construct the system for a high-powered rocket. Claudio Duarte Silva, an aerospace engineering senior, explained that the system his team was able to reduce the weight of a rocket to ensure the efficiency of take-off and the ability to reach its intended destination.

Jack Mitchell, a first year and transfer mechanical engineering student came to the Bronco Makers Fair to share his passion for art - but in a 3D lithophane display. Mithchell described that his lithophane paintings are 3D printed in thin, translucent porcelain that can only be seen

3D printed lithophane at the Bronco Makers Fair.3D printed lithophane at the Bronco Makers Fair.

clearly when back lit with a light source. Mitchell laid out small replicas of paintings from the official Louvre Museum 3D model collection, and shared that he honors his favorite artists by producing 3D scans of their works. He said he turns paintings into 3D objects to give them more feeling and to share his love of art with others.

The Bronco Makers Club created a platform for students to freely exchange ideas, exhibit their creations and inspire innovation in others. Returning members plan to make it an annual event for CPP.

"We are dedicated to making cool stuff!" said Allison Inanoria, a civil engineering student and president of the Bronco Makers Club. "From one-on-one workshops to personal projects, we're here to help students make their project or idea turn to a reality."