Web developer to show off life-size R2D2 at Science Center

Jason Cross’s hobby comes from a galaxy far, far away.

The 36-year-old Indianola resident spends his days as a web developer. But in whatever spare time he can find from his job, wife and two young children, Cross has been building a working, life-size model of R2D2, the ornery robot droid of the “Star Wars” science fiction movies.

Cross’s interest comes less from the movies — he considers himself a casual fan — and more from his background as a builder, primarily of websites.

“I have built things for virtually my entire adult life. I had not really built anything tangible. But it’s been interesting to have something tangible and learning how to do it,” said the Simpson College alum. “I really like the feeling of, ‘I did that.’ “

Cross will show off his R2D2 unit during the first-ever Mini Maker Faire in Des Moines at the Science Center of Iowa on Monday. The event will recognize a maker culture that has grown in popularity across the country. Most states have at least one city that hosts a maker fair every year.

I snapped the article photo above while reading the paper with my dad on Saturday.

If you’ve never been to a Maker Faire and are close to the Des Moines area, now would be your chance. We went to the 2011 show in Detroit and have nothing but good memories.

Please note: R2-D2 is spelled with a hyphen.

#starwars #makerfaire