AREA 506 & Maiden Factor

Over the course of the Summer of 2022, our Saint John Brilliant Labs STEAM Mentor Team brought creative, technology driven learning to camps across the region. Area 506 (an annual summer festival and vendor village found on the waterfront in Uptown Saint John NB) presented a unique opportunity to bring this style of learning directly to the public, and our goal from the outset was to try to capture the energy of a MakerFaire, then share that with the growing waterfront community. The team loaded one of the containers with all the supplies to help youth dream, build and create using

By Josh Lively, Brilliant Labs Marketing Cordinator & Neil Grey, Program Specialist

3D printers, Micro:bits, b.Boards, Makey Makeys, Dash and Dots, and enough laptops to host a small class. The BL container became an engaging Lab that was filled with energetic youth. The sun was on our side for the week we took over the space. Thanks to that, youth had the chance to try code the Dash and Dot robots, turning the courtyard in front of our space into a mini robotics fair. From the courtyard, entering inside the Brilliant Labs container, you were greeted with two 3D printers running like workhorses to print off small projects that visitors designed! Those who designed a print, were also able to learn how to print it, and take home their first 3D printed object. For those who took an interest in programming, we provided lessons on how to code Micro:bits with Brilliant Labs b.Boards, designed animations and games with Scratch. Some kids wanted to learn the more advanced aspects of these tools. We helped them by guiding their learning and found that often they didn’t want to leave and were asking their parents to bring them back the next day! Nonetheless, this limited time allowed our BL team to

both challenge and expand their skill sets in an engaging way. Only a few days into our time at the Container Villiage we got news that sparked with excitement for our team. The Maiden Factor, a racing boat that was skippered by Tracy Edwards MBE who led the first all-female crew to compete in the notoriously difficult Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989/90, was coming into the Saint John port, its only stop in Canada. Their mission: “The Maiden Factor Foundation works with, raises funds for and supports communities to enable girls into education and empower and support them to remain throughout their teenage years to reach their full potential and create better futures for all” To cap off this brilliant week, STEAM mentors Lucia & Nghi along with Program Specialist Neil, were able to meet the crew of the Maiden Factor the morning of their departure from Saint John. This small BL team woke up super early to meet the crew for 7:00am, and were also able to give every member a 3D printed keychain of the Maiden Factor logo that youth helped design! This was such a special moment for both Brilliant Labs & The Maiden Factor. It was an honor this summer to meet the crew and share in the value of empowering young girls in STEAM education.

Maiden Factor history excerpt: “…Over the next six months Tracy [Edwards] and her team redesigned Maiden, ripped her apart and rebuilt her. In September 1988 HRH The Duchess of York graciously ‘christened’ Maiden and went sailing with the girls. Maiden had found a Godmother. Sponsorship for the girls eventually came from King Hussein I of Jordan and she was painted in the livery of the planes; the famous grey hull with its red and gold lines would become an icon of the race.” Learn More about The Maiden Factor’s history and mission to empower girls! TheMaidenFactor.org/Story

Brilliant Labs Summer STEAM Mentors engaged visitors at AREA 506 Container Village, Uptown Saint John, NB.