NoVa Maker Educator Meetup - Jade Garrett, George Mason University

Jade Garrett

Jade was part of the group that started the first Maker space at George Mason University. She was one of the founders that wrote the proposal that was approved by the provost to get space in Innovation Hall. The place was created as the first step to changing things at GMU. We wanted a network of collaboration for students (of any major) to be able to have access to tools and technology. There are two larger spaces that will be part of the MIX that are opening in June 2017 and also Fall 2019. Jade started out getting into making by participating in Google Summer of Code 2014 and was assigned to develop a controller that was open source that would better enable children with autism to engage in therapy at a younger age. She developed a bear and turtle that she started a startup called Positive Deviancy so that more people could have access to it. She currently works at GMU running the Mason Innovation Exchange and leads an amazing group of students and volunteers to create an open place to access tools and technology. She has participated in over 6 Maker Faires in the DC area and is looking forward to sharing how to integrate making and education at the MakerEd talk.