Mike Hinkle is an inventor and maker. After more than 3 decades of engineering and technology leadership roles in the Energy industry, Mike jumped into helping K-12 students with their innovation and creativity by mentoring and providing opportunities to foster lifelong learning and their interests in STEM career fields.
Along with owning and running a makerspace with Jeanette for five years, he has been a key organizer for large maker events such as Houston Mini Maker Faire, the Maker Exhibition at Comicpalooza and the last couple years with the Robot Chaos of combat bots at The MITEE Gobble Squabble. His extensive electrical and mechanical knowledge has been recognized in the local maker community as a go to for advice. He was the Head Coach for D38’s Bearbotics FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 4068 for seven years. While Head Coach the Bearbotics network of FIRST teams grew to 10 total teams (1 FRC, 3 FTC, 6 FLLC). He is currently enjoying retirement and ready to get back to his own projects.
Mike and Jeanette have two sons that have graduated from Lewis Palmer School District 38 in Monument, Colorado. He enjoys his workshop where they can apply a wide range of creative and inventive energies. Mike likes to travel with Jeanette and with their sons when they are able to get away on vacations. He’s looking forward to creating or finding a “push button” way to plow the driveway and a mechanical way to sort Jeanette’s LEGOs.
| Specialization: Inventing and Innovating, 3D Printing, Robotics, Electronics | |
| Length of Experience: 30+ Industry Experience, 20+ Robotics Team Mentor, 10+ Teaching, Parent 20+, Inventor & Maker 55+ | |
| Industry Experience: Energy and telecommunications industries as Technology and Infrastructure Architecture | |
| Blog: Adventures in Making | |
| Current Project: Too many to list, but first order of business is to get my workshop organized so I can find my tools and supplies. |