Written by Tess, age 11.
The Conference: Day 1
I didn’t go, but Joyce, Dan, and my mom went.
The conference: Day 2
Today I have been at a conference with my mom; Well, actually I hardly saw my mom at all. Today was a “bring your kids to work day” for Jonah and I. We went to the Ohio convention center where my mom was hired to help out with a very big conference.
While my mom was off working, Jonah and I went off on our own and decided what we wanted to do. Jonah had already previously signed up for some sessions. I, on the other hand got invited to be a model and create some really cool clothing that involves technology.
I headed over to the Fashion Hack area where I ended up having a ton of fun. First, I just hung out and finished my bagel, as Allison (the stylist in charge) and Jim (the etech staff) thought of a way to make a manikin, because the students were supposed to bring manikins. When they came up with a plan, they asked for my help and of course I said “o.k.” Then I stared ripping duck tape into long strips which were then put on a super skinny reporter that had agreed to stand still while all of this happened. A few people helped me rip duck tape. We kept putting tape on Jennet, the reporter, while other reporters came and interviewed Allison and jennet. When we were done building the manikin, it looked really cool and I couldn’t wait to see it when it was on the tri stand. We then stuffed it and put it on the stand. It was awesome. Then we dressed it in a light up skirt and a wrinkle top that was so cute.
About an hour later, Allison asked me if I wanted to make something, I said “yes” and then started sketching out what I wanted to make. After I decided to make bandanna, I cut out the fabric. I tried it on, but it was too small so I made a bigger one and it was too big so I cut it down a bit so that it fit my head perfectly. I started sewing the edges down to create the smooth seam.
Once the seams were sewn and the designated area for the lights was chosen, we added the conductive materiel. After we sewed the lights down we found out we sewed them on wrong so I had to re-sew them with conductive thread and take all the stitches out.
Mom then sent Jonah over to see if I was ready to go to lunch. I said I didn’t want to leave and Jonah said that he would bring me back some mac’n’cheese.
I ,then, started sewing the battery holder on. After I was finished with that, we tested the lights and found out the conductive fabric wasn’t actually conductive. So we had to sew a new piece on top of that, which turned out looking really cool.
Mom came and said it was time to go, but I wanted to stay longer. She said I could stay if went to the tweet up later. I agreed to go and then I went back to work.
When I was almost done connecting the conductive thread to the lights and the battery, Dan came and got me because it was time to leave. Allison said she would finish it for me so that it would be ready for the fashion show tomorrow morning.
The Conference: Day 3
When we arrived at the conference the next day I went straight the Fashion Hack place but no one was there. Minutes later, I got a call from mom saying that all the fashion people were looking for me and that they were at the ballroom. So mom came and got me and we went to the ballroom where we immediately started running through what was going to happen during the fashion show. There was a band from Capital University that was really good. There was one girl that played an electrical violin and she had a great voice. After the lady that was talking about the conference was finished Allison got on stage and talked about what she does for a living and what we have been working on. Then she introduced me and told everyone what I had made as I walked the runway. Next she introduced Bree, a girl who had also been creating things with Alison. When Bree got off the stage, Brooke went up and Allison introduced her and the things she made. Brooke stayed on the stage as Bree came up and walked slowly toward Brooke. (Bree and Brooke are sisters.) The closer Bree got to Brooke the brighter the lights on the dress glowed. Then everyone came down and it was time for the news reporters to show what they had been working on. When they were finished we had our picture taken a million times.
Later, I went back to the Fashion Hack area because my bandanna stopped working. Allison helped me fix it. Then Bree, Brooke, and I started making string jewelry. A few minutes later, Jonah came over and told me to go get popcorn balls. So Brooke and I went over and got popcorn balls and a ton of candy. When we got back, Mom said it was time for lunch. We went to north market and I got cheese and butter noodles.
When we got back, I stayed in the area my mom was working in and I played games on my computer. About an hour later it was time to leave.
I had a great time at the conference making my bandanna and walking the runway.
