www.Build-a-Blinkie.org
Menu
Close
  • Build-a-Blinkie
  • Contacts
  • Who are we
  • Equipment
  • Photos
  • Events
  • FAQ
Build-a-Blinkie is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the teaching of STEM. We run learn-to-solder workshops at events in the Great Lakes area.  We have the worlds largest mobile soldering stations and participate at  numerous  Maker Faires, Libraries, Universities, Maker Spaces, and area conventions.

Upcoming Learn-to-Solder Workshops

Where we are going to be
StatusDateEventCity, State
Will be atMay 10 20253D Stem - Gatr Open House Houghton Township, MI
Talks withMay 30-Jun 1 2025Chicago Steampunk &xpositionSchaumburg, IL
Talks withJun 6 2025Deloitte Impact Day - Sarah E. Goode STEM AcademyChicago, IL
Will be atJun 14-15BrickWorld ChicagoSchaumburg, IL
Talks withAug 13-17 2025Woldcon Seattle 2025Seattle, WA
Save the DateSep 13-14 2025Vintage Computer Festival MidwestSchaumburg, IL
Talks withSep 20 2025NIU StemFestDeKalb, IL
Talks withSep 27 2025BSA - Three Fire - Forge OnLemont, IL
Save the dateOct 15-18 2025PinBall ExpoSchaumburg, IL
Talks withNov 7-9 2025WindyCon 51Oak Brook, IL
Save the dateNov 8-9 2025Milwaukee Maker FaireMilwaukee, WI
Save the dateFeb 5-8 2025Capricon 46Chicago, IL
Save the dateFeb 14 2026Elkhorn MakerFestElkhorn, WI
Save the dateApr 3-5 2026Minicon 59Minneapolis, MN

Past Events

Where we have been
Techs PresentDateEventCity, State
Evan, James B, Brian, Doug, Garret, Teri, Dale and DwayneApr 26 2025College of DuPage - STEMCONGlen Ellyn, IL
Jeff K, Matthew, Garret, Pete, James R, Dale, and DwayneApr 18-20 2025Minicon 58Minneapolis, MN
Thomas, Katie, James B, Teri, Dale, and DwayneApr 12 2025Lake County Maker FaireGrayslake, IL
Jay, Jenna, Debbie, Darryl, Brandan, James R, James B, Joey, Brian, Doug, Pete Teri, Dale, Dwayne and 34 student volunteersApr 4-5 2025UIUC Engineering Open HouseChampaign, IL
James B, Teri, Dale and DwayneMar 20 2025Gurnee D56 Maker FaireGurnee, IL
Grant, James B, Teri, Dale, and DwayneMar 8 2025Glen Ellyn Public Library - Maker FestGlen Ellyn, IL
Joey, Doug, Josh, Garret, Teri, Dale and Dwayne.Feb 22 2025ASCE STEM EXPOMilwaukee, WI
James B, Ted, Teri, Dale and DwayneFeb 15 2025Elkhorn MakerFestElkhorn, WI
Garret, Dale, James B, Maria, Dwayne, Maisie, Marcel, and a 3nd event volunteerNov 16 2024Oak Park Education FoundationOak Park, IL
Dwayne, DaleNov 12 2024Troup 309Lake Zurich, IL
Brian, Teri, Pete, James B, Darryl, Brandan, James R, Garret, Dale, Debbia, Jenna and DwayneNov 8-10 2024WindyCon 50Oak Brook, IL
Pete, Teri, Dwayne, James B, Mike, DaleNov 2-3 2024Milwaukee Maker FaireMilwaukee, WI
Matt, Katie, Cassie, James B, Ted, Brian, Doug, Pete, Teri, Dale, and DwayneOct 15-19 2024PinBall ExpoSchaumburg, IL
James B, Joey, Doug, Teri, Pete, Dale, Dwayne and 5 scout volunteersOct 5 2024BSA - Camporee - Rainbow Scout ReservationMorris, IL
Kirk, Brandan, James B, James R, Brian, Doug, Teri, Pete, Garret, Dale, Dwayne and 20 NIU volunteersSep 28 2024NIU StemFestDeKalb, IL
Grant, James B, Pete, Doug, Garret, Brooke, Wendy, Maria, Dale, and DwayneSep 7-8 2024Vintage Computer Festival MidwestSchaumburg, IL
James B, Teri, Brian, Dale, and DwayneAug 25 2024BSA - RiversideRiverside, IL
Daniel, James B, Brian, Doug, Teri, Pete, and DwayneAug 10 2024BSA - Stem SpectacularNaperville, IL
Joey, Dwayne, Reid, Rigo, Adam, Amando, Caren, Craig, Daniel K, Jenn, Jim, KeyurJun 7 2024Buehler YMCAPalatine, IL
Brian, James B, Pete, Wendy, Brandon, Alexis, and TeriApr 27 2024College of DuPage - STEMCONGlen Ellyn, IL
Ward, Doug, Maria, and DwayneApr 27 2024Harper STEAM FairePalatine, IL
Doug, Ward, John W, Maria, Teri, and DwayneApr 12-14 2024Chicago Steampunk &xpositionSchaumburg, IL
Pete, Teri, James B, John Erwin and DaleApr 13 2024Lake County Maker FaireGrayslake, IL
Ward, Pete, Teri, Jay, Brandon, Joey, Brian, Jenna, Pierce, James, Doug, Debbia, Dale, 41 UIUC VolunteersApr 5-6 2024UIUC Engineering Open HouseChampaign, IL
Jeff K, Garret, Pete, Ward and DwayneMar 29-31 2024Minicon 57Minneapolis, MN
Ward, Dale, and DwayneMar 20 2024Gurnee D56 Maker FaireGurnee, IL
Ted, Ward, Dale, and DwayneFeb 17 2024Elkhorn Mini Maker FaireElkhorn, WI
James B, Brandan W, Matthew, Pete, Teri, Sabrina, Joey, Ward, Doug, Garret, Dale, and DwayneNov 10-12 2023WindyCon 49Oak Brook, IL
Sabrina, Joey, Pete, Teri, Doug, Ward, Dale and DwayneNov 4-5 2023Milwaukee Maker FaireMilwaukee, WI
Ted, Doug, Maria, Ward, Dwayne and two ASCE volunteersOct 21 2023ASCE STEM EXPOMilwaukee, WI
Dale S, Pete R, Doug W, James R, Brandan W, Jolie W, and 8 Student VolunteersSep 30 2023NIU StemFestDeKalb, IL
Dwayne F, Ward C, Brian S, Teri P, Joey E, Maria F, Gary M, Bella C, and 2 Scout VolunteersSep 30 2023BSA - Three Fire - Forge OnLemont, IL
Ward, Dwayne, Pete, Doug and TeriSep 9-10 2023Vintage Computer Festival MidwestElmhurst, IL
Brian, Pete, Dwayne, Dale and WardAug 27 2023BSA - RiversideRiverside, IL
Teri, Doug, Brian, Ward, Dale and DwayneAug 19 2023BSA - Stem SpectacularGlen Ellyn, IL
Pete, Ward, Daniel, and DwayneJune 12 2023Battlebot CampElgin, IL
Daniel, Teri, James B, Joey E, Pete, Dwayne, WardMay 20 2023BSA - Chippewa District Spring CamporeeElgin, IL
Brian, Joey E, Doug, Ward, James B, Teri, Dwayne and GarretApr 29 2023College of DuPage - STEMCONGlen Ellyn, IL
Dale, Ward, Garret, James B, Teri, Joey EApr 15 2023Lake County Maker FaireGrayslake, IL
Brian, Doug, DwayneApr 15 2023Harper Maker FairePalatine, IL
Debbie, Jay, Jenna, Joey E, Doug, Ward, Pete, James B, Dale, Teri, Dwayne, Garret and 60 UIUC volunteersMar 31 Apr 1 2023UIUC Engineering Open HouseChampaign, IL
Dale, Dwayne, Pete, and WardMar 22 2023Gurnee D56 Maker FaireGurnee, IL
Jeff, Pete, Ward, Dwayne, Doug, Brian L, and DaleDec 4 2022Girl ScoutsWillowbrook, IL
Ward and DwayneNov 15 2022Troop 309Lake Zurich, IL
Garret, Teri, Matthew, Doug, Pete, James B, Dale, Dwayne, and WardNov 11-13 2022WindyCon 48Lombard, IL
Doug, Ward, Pete, James R, Dale, Teri, Dwayne and 10 NIU volunteersOct 15 2022NIU StemFestDeKalb, IL
Ward, Wendy, Pete, Dale, Doug, Teri, Dwayne, and 3 PTAC volunteersOct 8 2022BSA PTAC - Game OnWoodstock, IL
Matthew, Daniel, Doug, Daniel, Dale, Dwayne, WardSep 1-5 2022Chicon8Chicago, IL
Dwayne, Dale, Ward, Pete, Brian, and DougAug 20 2022Scouting Spectacular STEMGlen Ellyn, IL
DaleJul 21 20223D Stem - Gatr Open House Houghton Township, MI
Ward, Elena, Daniel, Dale and DwayneJune 4 2022Schaumburg Library Maker DaySchaumburg, IL
Daniel, Doug, Ward, James B, Teri, Dale, and DwayneMay 21 2022BSA - Chippewa District Spring CamporeeElgin, IL
Pete, Dwayne, Brian, and WardMay 13 2022Arlington Heights Memorial Library MakerplaceArlington Heights, IL
Dale, Pete, Doug, Brian and DwayneMay 9 2022SD102 Meridian School Buffalo Grove, IL
James B, Brian, Pete, Dale, Ward, Teri, Doug and DwayneApr 30 2022College of DuPage - STEMCONGlen Ellyn, IL
James B, James R, Pete, Dale, Teri, Ward and DwayneApr 9 2022Lake County Maker FaireGrayslake, IL
Dale, Elena, Garret, James and DwayneFeb 3-6 2022Capricon 42Chicago, IL
Garret, Ward, and DwayneDec 1 2021Pack 183Barrington, IL
Garret, Ward, and DwayneNov 16 2021Troop 309Lake Zurich, IL
Jame, Dale, Ward, Dwayne. Pete, Teri, and Brian.Nov 12-14 2021WindyCon 47Lombard, IL
27 NIU student volunteers, Brian, Doug, Ward, Pete, James, Dale, and Dwayne Oct 23 2021NIU StemFestDeKalb, IL
Dale Oct 9 20213D Stem - Gatr Open House Houghton Township, MI
Pete, Wendy, Teri, James, Ted, Dale, and DwayneSep 25-26 2021Milwaukee Maker FaireWilwaukee, WI
Pete, Richard, Brian, Maria, Dale and DwayneSep 18 2021Scouting Spectacular STEMGlen Ellyn, IL
Pete, Dwayne and MariaJul 23 2021Troop 1490Deer Park, IL
DwayneMar 3 2020Harper College - LMK0010-002 Intro to SolderingPalatine, IL
Ward, James, Garret, Dale, Teri, Lance, Daniel and DwayneFeb 13-16 2020Capricon 40Wheeling, IL
DwayneFeb 11 2020Harper College - LMK0011-001 Beginning SolderingPalatine, IL
DwayneJan 28 2020Harper College - LMK0010-001 Intro to SolderingPalatine, IL
DwayneDec 3 2019Harper College - LMK0011-003 Beginning SolderingPalatine, IL
Daniel, Dale, Dwayne, Ward, DougNov 19 2019Troop 309Lake Zurich, IL
Ward, James, Garret, Dale, Teri, Pete, Doug and DwayneNov 15-17 2019WindyConLombard, IL
Dale, Daniel, Teri, Ward and DwayneNov 9 2019STEM EXPOMilwaukee, WI
Joey, Daniel, Pete, Ward, Teri, Doug, Dwayne, Dale and 27 NIU student volunteersOct 19 2019NIU StemFestDeKalb, IL
Joey, Andrew, Pete, Ward, Teri, Doug, Daniel, Dwayne and a few BSA scout volunteersOct 12 2019BSA PTAC Camporee - Future FrontierElk Grove Village, IL
Doug, Ward, Brian, Daniel, Dwayne and Dale.Oct 5 2019Harper College MakerFestPalatine, IL
Pete, Ward, Teri, James, Garrett, Daniel, and DwayneSep 14-15 2019Milwaukee Maker FaireMilwaukee, WI
Ward, Doug, Dwayne, Dale, and PeteMay 4 2019Chicago Northside Mini Maker FaireChicago, IL
James, Ward, Daniel, Pete, Teri and DwayneApr 27 2019College of DuPage - STEMCONGlen Ellyn, IL
James, Doug, Ward, Geritt, Daniel, Dale and DwayneApr 7 2019Maker Day 2019 @ EGVPLElk Grove Village, IL
Teri, Ward and DaleMar 30 2019Chicago Southland MakerfestMokena, IL
Dwayne, Dale, and WardMar 20 2019Gurnee District 56 Maker FaireGurnee, IL
Ted, Doug, Dale, Ward, Daniel and DwayneMar 9 2019Elkhorn Mini Maker FaireElkhorn, WI
Dwayne, Pete, Ward, Dale, Daniel, Teri, Garrett and JamesFeb 15-17 2019Capricon 39Wheeling, IL
Teri, Doug, Ward, Pete, Adam, Dwayne, John, 2 MSOE students, 4 volunteers from Rexnord, and two scout volunteersFeb 9th 2019BSUSA Fair at MSOEMilwaukee, WI
Daniel, Doug, Ward, Dale, and DwayneJan 29nd 2019BSA Troop 309 Lake Zurich, IL
James, Ward, Dale, Daniel, Pete and DwayneNov 9-10 2018Windycon 45Lombard, IL
Teri, Darryl, Doug, Ward, Garrett, Daniel, Dwayne, Dale and 8 NIU studentsOct 27 2018NIU StemFest
Northen Illinois Mini Maker Faire		DeKalb, IL
Pete, Elsbeth, Ted, Doug, Dave, Ward, Teri, James, Garrett, Daniel, Dwayne, and Dale Sep 29-30 2018Milwaukee Maker FaireMilwaukee, WI
Ward, Dale Dwayne, and 3 BSA Adult Volunteers May 19 2018 BSA PTAC "Excellent Adventure" Crown Point, IN
James, Dwayne, Dale and Ward May 5 2018 Chicago Northside Mini Maker FaireChicago, IL
Ward, Pete, Elsbeth, Teri, James, Daniel, Dwayne and two walk-in volunteers Apr 28 2018 College of DuPage STEMCONGlen Ellyn, IL
Ward, Dwayne and Dale Apr 11 2018 Gurnee School Maker Faire Gurnee, IL
Garrett, Ward, Doug, Pete, Dale, Daniel, and Dwayne Mar 3 2018 STEM Fair @ MSOE University Milwaukee, WI
Teri, Garrett, Ward, James, Dale, Daniel, and Dwayne Feb 15-18 2018 Capricon 38 Wheeling, IL
Dale, Doug, Dwayne, and WardFeb 13 2018 BSA Troop 309 Lake Zurich, IL
Anita, Barbara, Dale, Dwayne, Katie, Teri, and Ward Nov 11 2017 Tinker Girls Vernon Hills, IL
Garrett, Ward, James, Dale, Dwayne and 18 NIU student volunteers Oct 21 2017 NIU STEMfest 2017 DeKalb, IL
Ward and Dwayne Oct 7 2017 STEM Fest River Forest, IL
Jack, Jeff, Doug, Dave, Teri, James, Garrett, Dwayne, and Dale Sep 30 2017 BSA Stem-O-Rama Sandwich, IL
James, Pete, Dale, and Dwayne Sep 23-24 2017 Milwaukee Maker Faire West Allis, WI
Jack, Pete, Ward, Dwayne and Dale Sep 11 2017 STEM Night /w Mr FreesePalatine, IL
Dale, Dwayne, Garrett, Jeff, Josh, Pete and Ward Aug 4-6 2017 MuseCon 7 Itasca, IL
designed kits for BSA Jul 29-30 2017 Detroit Maker Faire Dearborn, MI
Daniel, Dwayne and Skynet staff Jul 13 2017 BSA Camp Napawan Wild Rose, WI
Ward, Dwayne and Dale Jun 10 2017 BSA Quad Copter Show & Do ChallengeChicago, IL
Garrett, Daniel, Dwayne, and Dale May 19-21 2017 Detroit BSA OA Event Armada, MI
Ward, Dwayne and Dale May 13 2017 Camp Lakota Woodstock, IL
Ward, Pete, Jeff, Dwayne, and Dale May 6 2017 Chicago North Side Maker Fair Chicago, IL
Ward, Daniel, Dale, and Dwayne Apr 29 2017 Founders Scout-Luck Camporee, Camp OakarroWadsworth, IL
Ward, Pete, Daniel, Dale, and Dwayne Apr 23 2017 Elk Grove Library Maker Day Elk Grove Village, IL
Ward, Dale, and Dwayne Mar 9 2017 Palatine Library Palatine, IL
Garrett, Ward, James, Dale, Daniel, and Dwayne Feb 16-19 2017 Capricon 37 Wheeling, IL
Ward, James and Dwayne were Oct 15 2016Schaumburg Township District Library - Maker Day Schamburg, IL
Garrett, Ward, James, Dale, Daniel, Dwayne and 10 NIU student volunteersOct 8 2016 NIU StemfestDeKalb, IL
Dale, Dwayne, Daniel, James and Ward Sep 24-25 2016 Milwaukee Maker Faire West Allis, WI
Dale, Dwayne, Daniel and Ward Aug 5-7 2016 MuseCon 6 Itasca, IL
Pete, Ward, Dale, Daniel and DwayneMay 7 2016 Chicago North Side Maker Fair Chicago, IL
Ward, Dale and Dwayne May 21 2016 Palatine Maker Fair Palatine, IL
Ward and Dwayne Apr 17 2016 Elk Grove Maker Day Elk Grove Village, IL
Dale, Ward, Daniel, and Dwayne Feb 11-14 2016 Capricon 36 Wheeling, IL
Dale, Ward, Daniel, Dave, and Dwayne Feb 9 2016 Troop 309 Lake Zurich, IL
Daniel and Dwayne Dec 28 2015 BSA OA Wintercamp Metamora, MI
Ward, and Dwayne Oct 17 2015 Schaumburg Township District Library - Maker Day Schaumburg, IL
Ward, Daniel, Dale, and Dwayne Sep 26-27 2015 Milwaukee Maker FaireWest Allis, WI
Dale, Dwayne, Daniel & Ward Aug 7-9 2015 MuseCon 5 Itasca, IL
Dwayne, Daniel, and Ward May 2 2015 Chicago Northside Mini Maker Faire Chicago, IL
Ward Nov 1-2 2014 ICON 39Cedar Rapids, IA
Dale, Dwayne, and Ward Nov 25 2014 Troup 309 Lake Zurich, IL