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Press Release: From Robots to Fire-Breathing Dragons: Maker Faire Long Island Showcases the Future of Creativity

By Lisa, Aug 19, 2025

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/19/25CONTACT:
Lisa Rodriguez
Maker Faire Long Island Co-Producer
Director Digital Media/Marketing Long Island Explorium
lisa@longislandexplorium.org

From Robots to Fire-Breathing Dragons: Maker Faire Long Island Showcases the Future of Creativity

On September 14, 2025, more than 100 makers will gather at Stony Brook University to inspire families, students, and innovators with hands-on exhibits, performances, and cutting-edge tech.

Stony Brook, NY — The Long Island Explorium is proud to announce the 8th annual Maker Faire Long Island, debuting at Stony Brook University on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
This year’s event is bigger than ever, coinciding with the Explorium’s 20th anniversary and promising a day filled with invention, creativity, and family fun.

Known globally as the “Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth,” Maker Faire is a celebration of science, technology, engineering, art, and imagination. Thousands of visitors from across the tri-state area will gather to explore more than 100 exhibits, performances, and hands-on workshops that bring innovation to life.

The Force Is Strong With Us

This year, the force is truly strong at Maker Faire Long Island. Fan favorites return in full power, with the Saber Guild Endor Temple offering Lightsaber Padawan Training for kids and performance choreography workshops for adults, while the 501st Legion’s Empire City Garrison debuts their massive set pieces — including a life-size recreation of the iconic trash compactor scene.

Adding to the galaxy far, far away, the Long Island Droid Builders and the Long Island R2-D2 Builders Group will showcase their operational life-size R2-D2 droids, delighting fans young and old with some of the most beloved robots in cinematic history.

Featured Makers for 2025

This year’s Faire will showcase a dynamic mix of innovation, spectacle, and hands-on STEM fun:

  • Adam Foster’s Magma-Pumpkin-Dragon — Three brand-new fire-breathing sculptures, including a volcanic flame-shooter, a plasma-carved pumpkin, and a dragon that roars with fire.
  • The 501st Legion, Saber Guild, and R2-D2 Droid Builders — Beloved Star Wars fan groups bringing lightsaber battles, costumed characters, immersive sets, and fully operational droids.
  • Learn to Solder Workshop with Elijah Horland of MythBusters Jr. and PCBWay — Visitors can make their own light-up badge while learning real electronics skills from a TV science star.
  • Princesses with Powertools — Disney-style princesses who teach kids how to drill, build, and create, showing young makers that #BrilliantIsBeautiful.
  • FIRST Long Island Robotics — Student teams from across the region showcasing competition-ready robots and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Additional exhibits will include Stony Brook Solar Racing’s solar-powered boats, NY Sun Works’ hydroponic classrooms, and historic innovators like the Suffolk County Radio Club alongside global changemakers Tikkun Olam Makers and NYC Metro Makers Making Change.

A Festival of Innovation for All Ages

“Maker Faire Long Island has always been about sparking curiosity and celebrating creativity,” said Lisa Collet Rodriguez, Co-Producer. “This year, with our move to Stony Brook University and the Explorium’s 20th anniversary, the Faire is reaching new heights — from fire-breathing dragons to Star Wars set pieces, and from robotics to sustainability. It is a day where everyone, from kids to seasoned engineers, can be inspired.”

Event Details

Advance tickets are available now at https://www.eventbrite.es/e/maker-faire-long-island-2025-at-stony-brook-university-tickets-1202806299019

For more information, including a complete list of exhibitors and schedules, please visit the Maker Faire website at longisland.makerfaire.com. Follow us on social media for real-time updates on programming and schedules.

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Maker Faire Long Island is produced by the Long Island Explorium, a children’s museum focused on science and engineering under license from Make Community LLC.

About the Long Island Explorium

The Long Island Explorium is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit and is chartered with the New York State Department of Education.  Our vision is to be a leader in STEM discovery, learning, and innovation that will shape the intellect, social values, and principles of future generations. Our curriculum, exhibits, and educational approach are unique by design, developed to spark inventive solutions, build confidence by embracing the “fail forward” concept, and foster teamwork. We are recognized as Long Island’s Family Maker Space.

Maker Faires are produced under license from Make Community LLC.

Media Contacts:

Lisa Collet Rodriguez
Maker Faire Long Island, Co-Producer
lisa@longislandexplorium.org

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