Generator

⚡Congrats to Generator member Neil Shah, whose wood stove monitor Oru just took home the Grand Prize at LaunchVT's 2026 Demo Night!

We should admit that we have a bit of a soft spot for Neil. He first came to Generator to see if we could fabricate the walnut lamp bases at the heart of his product. We said yes, but also directed him toward our classes. We pointed out that if he learned to build them himself he could more quickly test and incorporate new ideas into his designs, and for a lot less money than it would cost to pay someone else. He took the classes, became a member, and began fabricating his first round of products in our space. Since then, with input and encouragement from our community, he's continued iterating and improving his design.

Neil's is a member story we love to tell. But it's not a one-way street. Neil has given back at least as much as he's gotten. He's shared his expertise generously with fellow community members, and the knowledge and energy he brings to this space has made Generator better for everyone who walks through our doors.

Last we knew, Neil had sold 57 units sold across the country, with another 1,500 people on the waitlist. Now he's won LaunchVT's grand prize... Not too shabby for someone who, a couple of years ago, didn't know anything about wood stoves.

We're very fortunate to have played a small part in supporting Neil along his journey. We're incredibly impressed with what he's accomplished and we can't wait to see where he takes things next!

Show Neil a little love and go check out Oru at getoru.com

⚡Congratulations to all of the Spaulding HS students who wrapped up an incredible school year of making and learning last week! ⚡

Since September we've had the privilege of hosting them as they built remote-controlled planes from the ground up, reading blueprints, wiring electronics, learning the principles of flight, and showing up like the professionals they're becoming.

This program, made possible through funds provided by Ronald York, gave students real exposure to avionics and electrical engineering and included trips to Vermont Flight Academy, Burlington Airport ATC, and Vermont Tech Center, plus insights from industry leaders at BETA Technologies and Global Foundries.

A special shout out goes to Generator Lead Instructor, Syd Telek, who developed the curriculum and led the program from start to finish. Syd's passion and dedication is a big reason this program was received so well.

We're so impressed with what these students accomplished, and grateful to everyone who made it happen, especially the teachers and coordinators who believe that the best classroom doesn't always have four walls.

If your school or organization is interested in partnering on a similar program, we'd love to hear from you. Give us a shout and let's build something awesome together!

🔺Bike & Gear Repair Event Cancelled!🔺

The Bike & Gear Repair Fair scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, June 18th at Zero Gravity in Burlington has been CANCELLED.

With a soggy forecast for tomorrow, we're calling the event off. We've had a great time at the last two events meeting people and helping fix up everyone's gear and bikes, but tomorrow it's not meant to be.

We'll be back next season with more repair events, and even if tomorrow is rainy you can still come down to Zero Gravity and get a bite and a bevy.

Shout out to all of our partners for making this series possible. We couldn't have done it without their support, especially all of the volunteer bike mechanics!

And don't forget to check out all of the other fun things happening at Generator Makerspace in Burlington. We don't just fix bikes and gear. We also have community wood and metal shops, teach things like 3d printing, laser cutting, jewelry making, and offer workshops, programs, and camps for kids and adults interested in hands-on learning.

⚡🚲 FREE Bike & Gear Repair Event Next Week! 🚲⚡

Bring your broken stuff to Zero Gravity on Thursday, June 18th from 4-8pm and let our team help you extract as much life as possible from what you already have.

Learn more at: www.generatorvt.com/2026-bike-gear-repair-series

And don’t miss out on our low cost Bike Maintenance Workshops at Generator. These are 2.5 hour sessions where we'll teach you how to care for common maintenance and repair tasks on your own. We have another session coming up on Wednesday, July 1st from 5:30-8pm.

All of this is made possible with support from SANDBOX VT Local Motion Color The Valley Old Spokes Home Radical Adventure Riders Champlain College, and Vermont Mountain Bike Association

⚡Generator Is Hiring⚡

We are currently seeking a Part-Time Youth Programming Instructor to deliver hands-on, project-based STEAM education to students in grades 4–12. This role will assist in program development and delivery to create high-impact learning experiences that create pathways to lifelong learning, workforce development, and equitable access for underserved communities.

If this sounds like an opportunity you, or someone you know, would be interested in. Please get in touch with us!

Learn more at: www.generatorvt.com/employment

⚡LAST CALL For Generator's BIPOC Scholarship >> Applications Are Due By Midnight Tonight!⚡

Applications for Generator's BIPOC Scholarship close tonight at Midnight!

Recipients receive 6 months of complimentary Generator Membership (August to January) and a $400 to spend on trainings!

If your creative, academic, or professional pursuits could benefit from access to tools like laser cutters, 3D printers, a wood shop & metal shop, a jewelry studio, sewing studio, and graphic and 3D design software this opportunity may be for you!

The deadline to apply is midnight on Monday, June 8th!

Learn more and apply at: www.generatorvt.com/bipoc-scholarship

⚡🎨 FREE Artist Showcase on Thursday, June 4th 🎨⚡

Join Generator's winter artist-in-residence Zoe Mikić for an evening showcase of steel and fabric lamps, ceramic vessels, oil paintings, and weavings.

Drawing from dreams, memories, and the momentum of desire, Zoe builds a rich personal mythos exploring the mask as an apparatus for hiding, shape-shifting, and seeing. Animal motifs, shadows, and the stories that emerge when details are withheld.

During their residency, Zoe learned to weld and fabricate steel, plasma cut drawings from their sketchbook, and worked across oil paint, clay, and wool. Captivated by the dialogue between fragile, translucent textiles and heavy, jagged metal.

Learn More & RSVP
https://app.glueup.com/event/the-mask-sees-its-wearer-a-body-of-work-by-zoe-miki%c4%87-183330/

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What: Free Artist Showcase
Who: Burlington Artist Zoe Mikić
Date: Thursday, June 4th
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Generator Makerspace in Burlington
Cost: FREE

Happening Tomorrow Night at Generator off Pine Street in Burlington!

Presenters Include:
💍 Erin Ostreicher – Metalsmithing With Natural Materials

💡 Samara Fantie – Committing To The Bit, How to go from a bolt of inspiration to actually finishing projects

🔪 Sophia DiLibero – Rationalizing Risk: sharp scary things and exposure therapy

🗓 Lux – Define First, Design Later

🤖 Casey Thomas – Build Anything With Claude Code

Learn more & RSVP > https://generatorvt.com/methodsandmeans/

Nice work Joe!

⚡Burlington's Nerdiest Show & Tell Is Next Week⚡

Methods & Means is a show-and-tell event for the process-obsessed. Hosted at Generator Makerspace, join us to learn from our community members as they pull back the curtain on their approach to a particular process.

Afterwards, stick around for more geeking out and pizza!

Event presenters Include:

🔶 Erin Ostreicher – Metalsmithing With Natural Materials
🔶 Samara Fantie – Committing To The Bit, How to go from a bolt of inspiration to actually finishing projects
🔶 Lux – Define First, Design Later
🔶 Sophia DiLibero – Rationalizing Risk: sharp scary things and exposure therapy

This event is free to attend and open to all ages.

Please RSVP if you are thinking about attending.

Learn more & RSVP at: www.generatorvt.com/methodsandmeans
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What: Methods & Means Show & Tell Event
Where: Generator Conference Room
When: Tuesday, May 26th
Time: 6-8pm
Cost: Free