Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
There’s a world of civic hacking where "making cool stuff" meets "making useful stuff."
Hear tinkerers, gearheads and other makers share about the inventions that won them Burners Without Borders Civic Ignition Grants. These grants are little sparks that fire up the next level of open-source technology for all of our community, and for all the world.
Colin Jemmott and MJ Brovold of YOUtopia, the San Diego Regional event, share about their low maintenance light source that’s sturdy, solar-powered, and buildable by anyone. They're also building a huge steel pop-up book!
Sam Smith and Squirtle of SOAK, the Portland Regional event, share about their deployable solar shade pavilion made of star-shapes and scissor linkages. Trash eating robots are involved, and 3D printed ‘precious plastic’ art.
This is not about the party. This is about practicing for a future where we won't need to poison the planet to self-express.
These stories are a recipe:
One part ‘for the love of it’ spirit
One part skills we already have
Blend until smooth.
Enjoy what new ideas can happen when we all put our heads together.
There’s a world of civic hacking where "making cool stuff" meets "making useful stuff."
Hear tinkerers, gearheads and other makers share about the inventions that won them Burners Without Borders Civic Ignition Grants. These grants are little sparks that fire up the next level of open-source technology for all of our community, and for all the world.
Colin Jemmott and MJ Brovold of YOUtopia, the San Diego Regional event, share about their low maintenance light source that’s sturdy, solar-powered, and buildable by anyone. They're also building a huge steel pop-up book!
Sam Smith and Squirtle of SOAK, the Portland Regional event, share about their deployable solar shade pavilion made of star-shapes and scissor linkages. Trash eating robots are involved, and 3D printed ‘precious plastic’ art.
This is not about the party. This is about practicing for a future where we won't need to poison the planet to self-express.
These stories are a recipe:
One part ‘for the love of it’ spirit
One part skills we already have
Blend until smooth.
Enjoy what new ideas can happen when we all put our heads together.
