Maker Faires in the New York Metro Area Support STEM Learning

Maker Faires, which celebrate invention, creativeness, and resourcefulness, are a fun, family-friendly way to support STEM learning at home. We’ve compiled a list of Maker Faires in the New York metro area that you can take your kids to.

maker faire at nysci in queens

Every September, young inventers attend the World Maker Faire, the most anticipated event at the New York Hall of Science in Corona, Queens. Designed to showcase the creative inventions of hundreds of different “makers,” the Faire includes innovative and unusual creations of all kinds, from rockets and electronics to gourmet food.

Maker Faires in New York

Dutchess County

Poughkeepsie Mini Maker Faire
260 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie
845-462-7600; poughkeepsieday.org
Nov. 15
The Poughkeepsie Mini Maker Faire is a fun and family-friendly event that celebrates what the mid-Hudson Valley is inventing, making, and creating. It brings together makers, crafters, farmers, inventors, hackers, scientists, and artists of all ages in one place for learning, play, spectacle, and inspiration.

New York City

World Maker Faire
New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens
718-699-0005; nysci.org
Typically held in late September, this weekend-long festival celebrates invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Attendees can view the projects of 600 makers and enjoy performances, demonstrations, and a speaker roster that includes authors, innovators, and leading thinkers in the Maker movement. There are workshops in which visitors learn to do things like how to pick a lock, and there are crowd projects in which you can help build something big.

 

Maker Faires in New Jersey

Bergen County

Greater Newark Mini Maker Faire
Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark
makerfairenewark.com
Date TBA; check the website in early 2015 for updates
The faire invites makers—from woodworkers to beekeepers, from robotics engineers to 3d-printing artists, to present their projects that take DIY thinking to a new level.  Whether they’re presenting a clever new way to make ink, a robotic arm, a robot that can draw or the science behind conductive ink, the Makers at this event will captivate and inspire—all alongside the museum’s art and science collections acting as the ultimate ‘maker’ examples.

 

Maker Faires in Connecticut

Fairfield County

Westport Mini Maker Faire
Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport
203-291-4800; westportlibrary.org
Late April
This faire showcases invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, celebrating the maker mindset in a hands-on environment. In recent years, the faire has featured the latest in 3D printing, Arduino board and Raspberry Pi applications, ham radios, DIY biology, computer-assisted drawing demonstrations, woodworking, vintage electronics, robotics, remote-controlled aircrafts, student projects, unusual tools and machines, composting, and rocketry projects.