Bio:
An Instigator in the Maker Movement, my interests also include Emerging Technology and Trends–particularly web technology, augmented and virtual reality, virtual worlds, and user interfaces. I am currently intrigued by Arduino, 3D printing, and wearables.
I am co-chair of the Rochester Mini Maker Faire, after having been a Maker at the inaugural RMMF event in 2014, and am the Chairman of the Rochester Makerspace Board of Directors.
My recent TEDx talk focused on the use of art to make a positive impact on science literacy, using my build crew – The Desert Wizards of Mars – as an example of how to do this well. Along with my DWOM work, I am also a volunteer for the Burning Man Art Department.
I have had the opportunity to be involved in many aspects of web development in their infancy. My first web development job was in 1995 as a part of a team that did groundbreaking work in multimedia and web design. It was right around this time that I worked for CyberMath, where we developed the first distance learning program for the military. We coined the phrase “distance education” during one of many late night discussions that started with, “What are we going to call this thing?”
My love for emerging web technology led my work in Second Life, a virtual world which takes the web to a social, immersive model. I’ve been a part of Community Virtual Library, an international community of libraries and educational institutions, since 2006. I have a library in Second Life where I frequently invite visiting authors and hold interactive book discussions.
In 2009, I was Executive Editor for the Journal of Virtual Worlds and Education which, at that time, was the only peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the use of virtual worlds in education.
Along with working in a public library, and giving talks on art, science, and making, I am currently having fun researching Arduino and LED applications, and applying for grant money for large public art.
Member of:
Association for Women in Computing – Upstate New York Chapter
Alliance Virtual Libraries
Center for Virtual Worlds Education and Research
Desert Wizards of Mars
Digital Rochester
National Space Society
NYSCATE
R-SPEC: Rochester Speculative Fiction Writers Association
Rochester Inventors and Entrepreneurs
Rochester Professional Consultants Network
Virtual Worlds Roadmap
Western New York Inventors Society
Currently volunteering for:
Rochester Mini Maker Faire – Production Committee
Rochester Makerspace – Chair of the Board of Directors
Burning Man Art Department – Field Ops
Online at:
twitter.com/patrapp
linkedin.com/in/patriciarapp