Dale Dougherty - Free to Make: How the Maker Movement is Changing Our Schools, Our Jobs, and Our Minds

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from and work with so many clever, creative, and thoughtful people. I appreciate all the makers who have shared their projects and their stories with me and the world. I hope this book captures their enthusiasm, conviction, and optimism.

At OReilly Media, Ive had such a long and productive relationship working with Tim OReilly, Laura Baldwin, Sara Winge, Gina Blaber, and Allen Noren. Thanks also to Christina Isobel, Arwen OReilly Griffiths, and Meara OReilly. Id like to thank my current and past colleagues at Maker Media, especially Todd Sotkiewicz.

The Make Magazine Founding Team helped bring a rough idea into reality: Mark Frauenfelder, Phil Torrone, David Albertson, Shawn Connolly, Dan Woods, Keith Hammond, Goli Mohammedi, Michael Shapiro, and Kirk Rohr. Also, Paul Spinrad, Daniel Carter, Jason Babler, and Gareth Branwyn have played important roles on the magazine, and now Mike Senese is at the helm.

For over ten years, the core Maker Faire Team, led by Sherry Huss and Louise Glasgow, has created and shaped a new kind of participatory event. Along with Bridgette Vanderlaan, Jonathan Magnin, and Kate Rowe, they bring passion, dedication, and caring to producing an event that is challenging to do. There are many other team members who contribute behind the scenes, making these events amazing and safe for everybody. I also want to thank Sabrina Merlo and the producers of global Maker Faires, who bring the same kind of dedication to their local communities.

Id like to thank the team at Maker Ed for their efforts to share with educators how to engage more children in the practice of making. That includes Warren Trey Lathe, the executive director, and his team as well as the board members and funders. Id also like to thank AnnMarie Thomas for helping get the nonprofit up and running.

My collaborating author, Ariane Conrad, helped me organize my thoughts and my writing, while contributing her own insights on the Maker Movement.

I am grateful for the love and long-standing support of my wife, Nancy, and my entire familyespecially my children, Katie, Ben, and Glenda. Thanks also to my mom.

To all of you who have shared all or part of this journey and hold on to its promise, I hope we continue to share the belief that all of us are makers and that the future will be better only if we participate in its creation.