After attending a recent maker festival, River Forest teen Ethan Baehrend walked away excitedly with countless ideas.
Baehrend, a junior at Fenwick High School and technology entrepreneur, aspires to provide the same technological motivation for the community this Saturday, at a Maker Fest at the River Forest Public Library.
“I hope that I can leave the same effect of inspiration with people,” he said. “There’s more to technology than just gaming and playing on a phone.”
Baehrend said his interest in technology started at a young age, when he attended iD Tech camps and learned the basics of video-game developing, robotics, coding language and engineering.
“It made me want to learn more, go on my own path with technology,” he said. “Technology has always been a nice escape and fun thing to do for me.”
In middle school, Baehrend custom-built computers and sold them; later, after buying a 3D printer, he began refurbishing broken ones. He’s recently started his own business, Creative 3D Technologies, designing and building 3D printers.
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“I enjoyed 3D printers, but I found a lot of flaws with them,” he said. “I’ve always been someone who’s interested in upgrading things and improving upon them.”
Baehrend, also a Boy Scout working toward the Eagle Scout rank, was the driving force behind Maker Fest, which will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the library, 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.
“The idea for this event as an Eagle Scout project initially stemmed off how I would implement technology in the community,” he said. “It’s been a really great learning experience so far.”
Although the library didn’t have any permanent space to offer Baehrend for a maker space, staff members were interested in collaborating on a festival highlighting local organizations that offer creative or hands-on opportunities, said Andrea Olvera-Trejo, adult and teen services librarian.
Maker Fest, a free event, will feature 12 Chicago area exhibitors offering demonstrations, prizes and hands-on activities. Organizations involved include 2DKits, which will teach circuitry through soldering; School of Rock, offering a musical petting zoo; Tapster Robotics, Vortex Drones and more.
Olvera-Trejo said the library has long offered maker-type workshops and programs that promote lifelong learning. The Maker Fest event is geared toward ages 10 and up.
“One of our goals was to have organizations and projects that are cross-generational,” she said. She added she’s enjoyed working with Baehrend on the event.
Also participating in the event: Baehrend’s company, Creative 3D Technologies.
“I think we have quite the lineup of people that’ll captivate the audience,” Baehrend said.
Baehrend said he plans to set up a Kickstarter for his company later this month. Starting the business has been a learning experience, he said, as he’s dealt with unhappy customers, legal aspects and other entrepreneurial issues.
“It’s been a whole adventure in itself,” he said.
For more information on Maker Fest, visit www.riverforestlibrary.org.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.