openNASA

There is a growing movement around the world based off an old, very simple, idea. The idea is that you can do it yourself, whatever “it” may be. This has existed as part of the Do-It-Yourself, or DIY, ideal for a very long time with crafters, artisans, and weekend warriors of all types. As we continue our footsteps into the early part of the 21st century that ideal is evolving into the Maker movement. Last week, NASA was nominated for a prestigious award within the Maker movement, a MAKE Magazine Industry Maker Award, known as a Makey.

The award is given by MAKE Magazine to individuals and groups that show “outstanding support for independent Maker/Hacker culture”. The nominee announcement process began at the Bay Area Maker Faire this past May and the winners will be announced at the World Maker Faire in New York at the end of this month.

NASA is, of course, incredibly honored to be nominated by the public for a Makey and then to be selected out of the pool of nominees for the final sixteen slots. Outreach to the public and bringing the work that NASA does in aeronautics and space exploration to open minds is an important part of what we do as an Agency. The kind words and accolades in the announcement speak for themselves but the real honor, to this NASA engineer, is the final nomination statement in the announcement:

For lifting so many young eyes upward, toward the stars, and for doing so much to keep them there, we are proud to welcome NASA to the running for the 2012 Makey Awards.

Thank you to all of the NASA supporters and enthusiasts around the world and to the Makey team for nominating NASA for this prestigious award in an arena filled with amazing companies, organizations, and individuals trying to Make the world a better place.