Grab your tools and learn to fix the items you already have and show your environmental super powers! (You don’t actually have to bring tools to the event, tools will be provided but you get the idea)
The Ecology Center is pleased to spread the word about upcoming Fix It Fest events to be held this 2024-2025 school year at local Berkeley Unified Schools. The events are an opportunity for members of Berkeley schools and the community to learn how to repair things at home. If you are interested in changing the relationship you have with the material objects in your life and seeing broken items as opportunities for repair, then this might be an event for you. —> open it up, see what’s in there, intervene, take ownership.
We will provide a workspace, tools and guidance from a volunteer “Repair Coach” to help you disassemble, troubleshoot and hopefully fix your item. All events are wheelchair accessible. The clinics will be held Saturdays from 1pm-4pm. Pre-registration is highly recommended. https://bit.ly/fixitfests
September 28, 2024, 1-4PM
Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart Street Berkeley, CA 94705
November 16, 2024, 1-4PM
King Middle School 1781 Rose Street Berkeley, CA 94703
February 8, 2025, 1-4PM
Longfellow Middle School, 1701 San Pablo Berkeley CA 94702
To give the community more insight into these activation events, we asked the organizers to share some insight into the development of Fix It Fest, background on the current repair phenomenon, goals and some of the most repairable items that you probably own. Take a look at what they had to say:
Who is organizing this event?
This event is organized by: BUSD Climate Literacy Initiative and BUSD Middle Schools Makerspace Programs In collaboration with:
Transition Berkeley
Fixit Clinic
Nimble Repair
The Culture of Repair Project
What led you to develop this event?
Community Repair Events are a phenomenon exploding around the globe — over 3000 Repair Cafés in dozens of countries around the world, over 600 Restart Party groups in 20 countries, hundreds of Fixit Clinics around the US, not to mention an abundance of independent groups: Repair Rodeo, Fixers Collective, Philly Fixers, and RepairPDX among many others.
Fix-it Fests are the BUSD version of Community Repair Events, public gatherings where skilled volunteers help neighbors repair their broken items. Students will be involved with adult volunteers at Fix-it Fests and engage in project based learning around climate solutions.
The driving concern is largely the environment, but also includes education objectives (cognitive development, thinking skills, physics, ecology, social studies, etc.), empowering consumers, and developing community resiliency.
What is your goal?
The BUSD Climate Literacy Initiative and Middle School Makerspace Program will collaborate to teach week-long repair units in the district’s three middle school Makerspaces. The in-school work will culminate with community repair events – Fix-it Fests! – at each middle school in the 2024/2025 school year: September 28, November 16 and February 8).
Through hands-on experience with repairing items, including their own, this project will educate students and families on repair’s role in environmental sustainability; teach strategies for approaching broken objects; and cultivate a sense of capacity to take care of our material world.
BUSD faculty developing the program:
Ellen McClure (BUSD Climate Literacy Teacher)
Debbie Lenz (District Middle Schools Makerspace Coordinator and STEM and science teacher lead at Willard.)
What items do you hope to see people bring in?
We will provide a workspace, tools, and guidance from a volunteer “Repair Coach” to help YOU disassemble, troubleshoot, and hopefully fix your item. Categories include: bicycles, electronics, mechanical items, ceramics, sewing & textiles, small appliances, sporting goods, jewelry & shoes!
Register your item in advance, using this form:
What is the most repairable item that most people own, but maybe don’t know it?
Everyone wears clothes and uses textiles. “Each year in the United States, over 39 million pounds of textiles such as clothing, sheets, and towels are sent to landfills and incinerators. The rate of production is increasing rapidly, partly due to the rise of “fast fashion” – inexpensive clothing produced quickly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends”. (From the StopWaste website)
Small tears, broken zippers and loose buttons can easily be fixed to extend the life of the clothing or textile item. Creative “upcycling” such as making shopping bags from t-shirts or reusing old denim jeans, is also an option.
Lamps are another common item brought to Repair Events. The diagnosis process for fixing lamps is fairly simple, parts are mostly standardized and common household tools are used in their repair.
Thank you to the organizers of the Fix it Fest event and to community members like you who are invested in living and inspiring a more sustainable, healthy and just future.
I plan to bring a Western Electric portable sewing machine to the September 28 Fix-it Fest at Willard Middle School in Berkeley. It was my grandmother’s and my Uncle was using it on the East Coast before it was shipped to me. I cannot figure out how to make it work.
That sounds wonderful Ginny! They will have some great folks who can help you out. I hope it gets fixed!