Responding to President Obama's Call To Action, Brit + Co Announces Four New Programs to Reach Makers of All Ages

SAN FRANCISCO, June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of the first ever White House Maker Faire, San Francisco-based company, Brit + Co, has created four new programs in a new effort to reach makers of all ages.

Founded in late 2011 by CEO Brit Morin, Brit + Co's mission is to unlock creativity by educating, inspiring and supporting makers. The programs announced today are designed to further bring this mission to life and highlight the importance of creativity, STEM and making to women and girls across the United States.

"The Maker Movement is re-defining the American dream. With new advances in technology enabling the democratization of ideas, skills, and products, citizens young and old are now able to turn their creative passions into real businesses. This new economy is reigniting American manufacturing and employment, while bringing together communities of makers who are producing innovative products for less cost than ever before. It's an economy that could total nearly $700B." stated Morin.

Since the beginning, Brit + Co has focused on inspiring and enabling women and girls to learn how to make, using tools and skills both new and old. As part of today's White House Maker Faire, the company is announcing four new programs to continue igniting this audience:

These new programs include:

• Campus Ambassadors. Brit + Co's new cohort of campus ambassadors will host local maker events once per quarter in their college or town, reaching as many as 20,000+ new makers per year.
• Makeathons. Brit + Co will host a large-scale yearly 'Makeathon' to take place at their annual makers event, Re:Make, attended by thousands of people. Each Makeathon will focus on creating a new tool, app, gadget or program to solve a broad issue. The participants will be able to build relationships with leaders in technology for personal mentorship at the event and beyond.
• Makers in Residence. Brit + Co will sponsor a select group of women to be "makers in residence" at Brit HQ each year, allowing them free co-working space and access to machines and DIY tools ranging from 3D printers to laser cutters.
• Free E-Classes for Students. Brit + Co will engage K-12 students in making by developing a series of free e-classes that introduces kids to maker skills like 3D printing, graphic design and electronics. The e-classes will be designed for teachers to use in the classroom, or as an after school program. Each e-class will be paired with a DIY kit that provides students with hands-on materials to learn that particular skill or technology.

In addition, Morin will be in attendance at today's White House Maker Faire and participating in a National Day of Making using #NationOfMakers on Twitter.

Brit + Co is an online media and e-commerce platform that provides tools to teach, inspire, and enable creativity among women and girls. From traditional crafts to high-tech manufacturing, Brit + Co connects millions of users with makers, designers, chefs, and inventors, together building a community of creativity.

For additional information on these programs, please visit the Brit + Co website at www.brit.co.

For more information on the White House Maker Faire and to watch live, please visit  www.WhiteHouse.gov/MakerFaire.

Press contact:
Amanda Duncan
[email protected]

SOURCE Brit + Co