Maker Learn at Maker Faire Rome

Maker Faire Rome 2023 ( 20-22 October)  dedicates an entire pavilion to education and the future: LEARN, a space curated by Paolo De Gasperis where innovation and education take centre stage. It’s a distinctive place that brings together innovators, institutions, strategies, and companies for whom the development and strengthening of skills are the primary mission. From October 20 to 22, it will be a forge of ideas, educational paths, and innovations in the field of education technology, non-formal education, game-based learning, and scientific dissemination.

Teachers, trainers, parents, and representatives of educational institutions will find an environment rich in stimuli and updates in the field of education. It’s a unique opportunity to discover new methodologies, tools, and ideas to integrate into educational programs.

LEARN is a hub of interactivity and play, elements transformed into primary drivers for learning. It’s a unique showcase that welcomes both private and public entities, all united by a passion and trust in the innovation of educational paths and strategies for skill development. With the intention of highlighting the vast complexity of the education world, LEARN focuses on promoting interactive activities, both digital and analog, characterized by the “learning by doing” method. Maker Faire thus becomes a catalyst for promoting active learning that highlights individual needs and aptitudes, aiming to value and promote talents without building rigid paths, but rather focusing on the personalization of the educational experience, discovering opportunities, and identifying the teacher as a mentor, a director of information rather than a conveyor of content. A special partner contributing to the connection between experimentation and educational curricula is represented by the ANP (National Association of Public Managers and High-level Professionals in Education), which, for 36 years, has been supporting school managers in their administrative and educational mission.

The pavilion is organized into three thematic backbones, each dedicated to a specific theme: EdTech, Gaming, and STEAM Education. Despite apparent thematic differences, all these areas share common goals: the discovery of innovative educational solutions, the promotion of a conscious approach to digital and technological tools, the approach to the scientific method, the strengthening of analytical skills, and the promotion of the development of transversal skills.

EdTech will host tools, startups, and established experiences illustrating how new technologies can improve teaching and facilitate the acquisition of new skills. From adaptive learning systems to interactive platforms, EdTech is shaping the future of education, offering tools that personalize the learning experience according to individual needs. The theme of education technology will be present and widespread throughout the pavilion, featuring startups and prototypes that combine digital innovation with learning opportunities. This is thanks to the contribution of highly qualified partners in learning services and products such as Campustore, new training offers dedicated to RStore programming, and prototypes presented through the University call specifically dedicated to innovation in education.

The Gaming section represents the Maker Faire Rome vision for game-based learning solutions, both digital and analog. With the support of the Italian Videogame Academy and the activities of Maker Camp, a large space is dedicated to video games and their integration into learning dynamics, not forgetting a look at the past with a small area dedicated to retro gaming. From integrating educational games into traditional classrooms to using video games to develop transversal skills, this section will offer an in-depth look at the potential of gaming in education.

Finally, the STEAM Education section combines creativity, technology, sciences, and humanistic culture, proposing 14 Experience Labs for an area of 700 square meters exclusively dedicated to “learning by doing,” with more than 40 workshops, escape games, and interactive demonstrations. The selected proposals here are characterized by a strong connection to manual skills and creative expression, through educational laboratories, manual activities, and creative experiences free from formal structures. A high-quality offering made possible by the support of exceptional institutions such as ESA, INFN, CNR, Digilab Sapienza, partner companies like AllNet, and non-profit organizations like SeedScience and MindSharing.

During the three days, LEARN will host a stage featuring a schedule of presentations and training opportunities:

• Scientific dissemination shows produced by G.Eco, Scienza Divertente, and the special contribution of ESA and Frascati Scienza.
• Talks with in-depth insights for guidance in the world of game developers, a panel dedicated to energy transition, and interactive demos on EdTech products dedicated to the development of digital and logical-mathematical skills. All in an informal and accessible environment.

LEARN is born with the aim of providing a complete view of opportunities and new trends in the field of education, allowing the public to enrich their skills. It aims to create a strategic network that promotes the exchange of best practices among trainers, researchers, companies, students, and all key figures in the education world—an opportunity to discover, learn, and, above all, be inspired. In addition to interactive activities, the LEARN space hosts edutainment solutions designed to engage an audience of all ages in a completely immersive experience, oriented towards innovation and discovery. Leading companies and startups in the field of education and educational innovation will have the opportunity to present their proposals.

LEARN is the opportunity, within Maker Faire Rome, to discover and be inspired by innovative and original solutions in the field of non-formal education and to experience firsthand the effectiveness of the motto “learn by doing.”

Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition is an event that facilitates and talks about technological innovation in a simple and accessible way, connecting businesses, Academia , people and ideas. It is a trade fair where industry experts, makers and innovators meet to share their projects with the general public. It Organized by the Rome Chamber of Commerce and this year is in its eleventh edition.