Maker Faire Long Island is an annual event that brings together makers, innovators, and creative minds to showcase their projects and inspire the community. This white paper provides an overview of the event, its significance, and the role of the Long Island Explorium in fostering STEAM education and innovation.
What is Maker Faire?
Maker Faire is a global movement that combines elements of classic science fairs with innovation, creativity, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). It is known as the “Greatest Show & Tell on Earth,” showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of makers from all walks of life. Maker Faire Long Island, established in 2015, aligns with this global brand and has become a beacon of creativity and innovation in the region.
The Scope and Impact of Maker Faire Long Island
Maker Faire Long Island is a vibrant showcase of advancements in STEAM, attracting over 100 makers and 2000 visitors each year from across the USA and overseas. The event features a diverse range of exhibits, including robotics, cosplay design, environmental engineering projects, scientific advancements, and kinetic art and fire sculptures.
Key Highlights:
Exhibits and Makers: Over 75 exhibits and more than 120 makers participate, showcasing projects from Stony Brook University, Suffolk Community College, Brookhaven National Labs, and more.
Performances: Live music and performances, including a songwriter showcase and performances by the Umisora Taiko Drummers.
Interactive Components: The “Ask a Scientist” component allows visitors to interact with scientists and STEM faculty, fostering curiosity and engagement in science.
How Makers Get Involved
Makers interested in participating apply via the Call for Makers form on the Maker Faire Long Island website. The event provides free exhibition space for non-commercial maker exhibits, with nominal fees for vendors and sponsorship opportunities for commercial makers. This inclusive approach ensures that making is accessible to everyone.
Goals and Vision
Maker Faire Long Island aims to create a platform where people can showcase their projects and share their knowledge. It is a gathering of engineers, artists, scientists, and crafters who enjoy learning and love sharing their skills. The Faire is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness, embodying the spirit of the Maker Movement.
Challenges and Rewards of Organizing the Event
Organizing Maker Faire Long Island involves coordinating with makers from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of commitment. While challenging, the process is incredibly rewarding, with the event touching the lives of participants and visitors alike. The pride of bringing the event to fruition and seeing the excitement on attendees’ faces makes all the effort worthwhile.
The Role of the Long Island Explorium
The Long Island Explorium plays a vital role in enriching the community with STEM programs that foster inventive thinking. The Maker Faire aligns with the Explorium’s mission to promote STEM discovery, learning, and innovation, shaping the intellect and social values of future generations.
Outreach Projects:
STEM Enrichment Programs: Delivered in schools, libraries, and community groups across Long Island.
NASA TEAM II Community Anchor Award: Provides earth and space science programming to underserved schools and libraries.
Students to Launch Program: Partners with AIAA to bring students from underserved districts to witness a launch at Kennedy Space Center.
EPA Grants: Establishes rain and native plant teaching gardens in Port Jefferson.
Community Partnerships: Collaborates with local organizations to provide free STEM education programs.
Maker Faire Sponsorship: Secures funding to sponsor students from underserved school districts to attend Maker Faire Long Island at no cost.
Collaboration and Community
Maker Faire Long Island is part of a global network of Maker Faires, including those in New York City, the Bay Area, and even Cairo. This collaboration enriches the event and allows for the sharing of ideas and resources, strengthening the maker community worldwide.
Conclusion
Maker Faire Long Island is more than just an event; it is a celebration of creativity, innovation, and community. Through the support of the Long Island Explorium and the dedication of makers, the Faire continues to inspire and educate future generations. This white paper highlights the significance of Maker Faire Long Island and the Explorium’s role in fostering a culture of innovation and learning.
Port Jefferson’s Long Island Explorium is thrilled to announce our seventh annual maker celebration:
The Maker Faire Long Island
– Saturday, June 8th 2024 –
Celebrating our seventh Maker Faire, the Maker Faire Long Island has been “Making” Maker Faires on Long Island since 2015! We have expanded to the regional showcase of Makers from around the country it is today.
Our Faire is part of the larger Maker Faire brand associated with the Faires in New York City, The Bay Area, Berlin, Barcelona and other Maker Faires throughout the world that celebrate creativity and innovation in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Last year, 90+ Makers and 2000+ participants of all ages experienced innovative robots, kinetic and interactive art, fire sculptures, explored the ocean through virtual reality and many more cutting edge creative experiences through hands-on, minds-on exhibits and performances at the Long Island Explorium and the neighboring Village Center and Harborfront Park.
We are excited to expand our maker offerings, innovative hands-on experiences and encourage making and entrepreneurship to all communities on Long Island.
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. To learn more, visit www.longislandexplorium.org/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
CONTACT: Lisa Rodriguez Maker Faire Long Island Co-Producer Director Digital Media/Marketing Long Island Explorium lisa@longislandexplorium.org
Maker Faire Long Island returns for the 6th year! Call for Makers registration is open now!
Long Island, NY – The excitement is palpable as Maker Faire Long Island returns for its 6th edition on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, at the Long Island Explorium in Port Jefferson. This event is a celebration of creativity and innovation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math, and it promises to be the most exciting yet!
Last year’s event attracted more than 2000 participants from around the country, with over 80 makers showcasing cutting-edge exhibits and performances. This year’s Maker Faire Long Island promises to be even bigger and better, with new and exciting exhibits and performances, including a demonstration of blacksmithing techniques and the return of the popular Saber Guild Endor temple.
The Call for Makers, Performers, Artisans, and Crafters is now open through May 5th. Groups or individuals interested in exhibiting or offering a hands-on experience should complete the online application at https://longisland.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/. Apply soon for early placement! Event organizers will reply to applications with further instructions for participation.
“Maker Faire Long Island is a unique event that brings together makers and innovators from all around the country,” said Angeline Judex, Executive Director of the Long Island Explorium. “We’re excited to see what new and innovative projects our makers will bring to the event this year. This event is a celebration of creativity and innovation, and we hope that attendees will leave feeling inspired and motivated to pursue their own creative projects.”
For more information on Maker Faire Long Island, including ticket sales and a full list of exhibitors and performances, please visit the Maker Faire website, https://longisland.makerfaire.com, and follow us on social media for updates on programming content and schedules!
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. Follow the development of Maker Faire Long Island on Twitter @MakerFaireLI, on Facebook @MakerFaireLI, and on Instagram @makerfaireli.
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.
CONTACT: Lisa Rodriguez Maker Faire Long Island Co-Producer Director Digital Media/Marketing Long Island Explorium lisa@longislandexplorium.org
Maker Faire Long Island returns for the fifth year!
Call for Makers registration is open now!
March 23, 2022, Port Jefferson, NY: The Long Island Explorium is proud to bring the Maker Faire Long Island back on June 11, 2022, after a 2-year hiatus, and will once again be held in the picturesque Village of Port Jefferson. Maker Faire combines the traditional science fair with innovation, creativity, imagination, and engineering, building on the Maker movement to create something entirely new. Formerly called the Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire, it has grown into the exhibition of Maker ingenuity it is today; the event is known as the “Greatest Show & Tell on Earth.” Since 2015, Maker Faire Long Island has attracted more than 100 Makers and 2000 visitors annually from the New York Tri-State region.
“This showcase of STEAM innovation and creativity is one of its kind on Long Island. Bridging the gap between textbook science and real-world applications is key to inspiring the next generation into STEM careers”, explains Angeline Judex, MPA, Executive Director, Long Island Explorium. Our Makers embody the spirit of resilience and creativity that prevailed during the pandemic to help unite and lift people through the periods of isolation.
The Call for Makers, Performers, Artisan, and Crafters is open now through May 1st. Groups or individuals interested in exhibiting or offering a hands-on experience should complete the online application at https://longisland.makerfaire.com/call-for-makers/. Apply soon for early placement! Event organizers will reply to applications with further instructions for participation.
As part of the internationally acclaimed Maker Faire program that offers hands-on making events in cities and towns around the world, Maker Faire Long Island celebrates creativity and innovation in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. This year will feature both Makers from the Tri-State area, California, and across the midwest. We are pleased to announce the first-time participation of creator, 3D designer, and self-taught robot maker, Jorvon Moss (known as Odd_Jay) this year! Visitors can also expect to experience innovative robotics, kinetic and interactive art, fine sculptures, exploring the ocean through virtual reality, and many more at the Long Island Explorium and the neighboring Port Jefferson Village Center and Harborfront Park. Our Makers embody the spirit of resilience, innovation and expertise that prevailed during the pandemic.
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. Follow the development of Maker Faire Long Island on Twitter @MakerFaireLI, on Facebook @MakerFaireLI, and on Instagram @makerfaireli.
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.
On Friday, October 16th and Saturday, October 17th the Empire State Maker Faire, a statewide showcase organized by local producers throughout New York State, will share the creative work and technical know-how of all kinds of makers who share a passion for making. As part of the internationally acclaimed maker movement, the event features demonstrations, performances and how-to workshops – everything from 3D printed chocolate, cosplay, and robots to programming haunted houses, creating cardboard creations, and hacking board games. Empire State Maker Faire is online, free, and open to the public.
Our Call for Makers has closed and we had a tremendous response from creative people throughout New York State, as well as globally.
On Friday, October 16th, the Empire State Maker Faire will launch with our Student Day, which runs from 9:00am through 6pm* and is geared toward students and educators, whether they are learning in person, remotely, or are homeschooled. You won’t want to miss Mario the Maker Magician, Friday’s keynote speaker! Students will love learning how to recycle electronic waste into jewelry, create an animated hero, and discover some cool new twists on origami, robotics, and more! Parents and teachers will appreciate workshops on incorporating STEM/STEAM into your own curriculum. And everyone will enjoy the Five Minute Lightning Talks featuring a wide variety of Makers inspiring creativity for all ages!
Saturday, October 17th, will feature a full schedule of Makers, exhibits, tours and more across 3 streaming channels from 9:00am to 8:00pm. Several makerspaces throughout New York State will give tours and demonstrations of their community members’ work. You’ll learn about saving the bees with recycled materials, as well as how to make puppets — both traditional and robotic. Did we say 3D printed chocolate? Saturday’s keynote speaker will be Limor Fried, founder and CEO of Adafruit Industries.
Mark your calendar and follow https://makerfaire.com/empire-maker-faire-2020/ and on social media for updates on programming content and schedules!
Empire State Maker Faire is presented by the producers of Maker Faires in Rochester, Long Island, Buffalo, Fredonia, Twin Tiers, Syracuse, and World Maker Faire, in conjunction with Make: Community (https://make.co/ ) Maker Faires are produced under license from Make Community LLC.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Rodriguez Maker Faire Long Island, Co-Producer Empire State Maker Faire, Co-Producer lisa@longislandexplorium.org
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. Follow the development of Maker Faire Long Island on Twitter @MakerFaireLI, on Facebook @MakerFaireLI and on Instagram @makerfaireli.
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.
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Keynote Speakers include:
Empire State Maker Faire Keynote by Limor Fried of Adafruit
Limor Fried is an American electrical engineer and owner of the electronics hobbyist company Adafruit Industries. She is influential in the open-source hardware community, having participated in the first Open Source Hardware Summit and the drafting of the Open Source Hardware definition, and is known for her moniker ladyada, a homage to Lady Ada Lovelace.
Adafruit Industries is an open-source hardware company based in New York City. It was founded by Limor Fried in 2005.[2] The company designs, manufactures and sells a number of electronics products, electronics components, tools and accessories. It also produces a number of learning resources, including live and recorded videos related to electronics, technology, and programming.
The Magic of Making with Mario the Maker Magician
Mario is a NY-based, touring performer with an all-ages theater show full of homespun magic, diy robotics, and punk rock slapstick. it’s magic through the lens of the maker movement! Mario has appeared on Sesame Street, Universal kids, and
live on tour with David Blaine, who calls him “the best kids magician in the world!!”
Mario offers a half-hour keynote presentation for Student Day, in which he shares his personal journey with making and how to adapt making to your life in the most fulfilling way. Offering some demos of his own creative works, and inspiration for kids to discover their own unique paths. Do what you love. Use what you have. And have fun.
I hope my note finds everyone well. I am astounded at how fast reality is changing for many of us on a daily basis.
As Makers, we continually push through challenges, problem solve and think outside the box. “Plan C” as Dale Dougherty wrote in his recent article for Make Co, is the maker movement; “groups of independent makers, entrepreneurs and innovators who are organizing online to provide alternative solutions” that can come up with a solution for America and the world. There are many collaborations going on right now and it’s worth getting involved, if possible, in these efforts. It’s of no surprise to me that the grassroots communities are now called upon to innovate and think creatively to help Federal, State and local efforts combat COVID-19. https://makezine.com/2020/03/22/whats-plan-c-for-covid-19/
I truly believe that there WILL be an end in sight in the future. Although I cannot forecast accurately when that might be, I am rescheduling Maker Faire Long Island 2020 to Sunday, September 13th. And, when we come together on Sept 13th, 2020 it will truly be a CELEBRATION of the inventiveness and creativity of the grassroots community and the part we all played in this pandemic. The Maker community is a powerful and inspiring one, both in “normal” times as well as in times of crisis.
We call upon you to showcase the spirit and ingenuity of Makers during this time and want to showcase your talents, projects and voices virtually.
If you have a craft, skill or art that you would like to showcase or teach online as a workshop, let us know. We can adapt and help facilitate an online learning opportunity for you and the community. We have a number of virtual Live events coming up and would love for you to be apart of.
Thank you for being part of the solution in times like this. Makers everywhere are getting the job done, and helping their communities.
Formally known as the Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire, our faire is now Maker Faire Long Island! We have a new name, new logo and growing community of Makers come from across the United States
We now need you! Our Call for Makers & Call for Volunteers is open and this will be a big year.
Previous Makers: If you are one of our Makers from 2019 and would like your previous year’s entry to be transferred, email us at makerplanner@longislandexplorium.org with the request.
As always, if you know of any Makers that would be a great addition to our Faire, please do not hesitate to pass along their contact information.
If you are interested in helping in any way please email me at makerplanner@longislandexplorium.org. Without this wonderful community and incredible people, none of this would be possible. Thank you all for making the Faire the showcase of innovation and creativity in the community it is today.
Artists, craftsmen, engineers, scientists and people who just like making stuff will come together for the Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire on June 8 in Port Jeff.
The Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire is part of an international collective that highlights local maker culture — people who like to tinker and build anything from boats to costumes to furniture.
It’s like a science fair, but with a lot more flash and fun.
scroll down for 2018 photos
“There’s something for everybody,” said Sally Wellinger, who’s co-producing this year’s event. “Whatever your interest is, there will be makers who will spark your interest.”
Wellinger started volunteering for the event but quickly rose in the ranks. Last year she helped organize the talent for the fair. This year she’s one of the people charged with its success.
The Mini Maker Faire is a maker project in and of itself, which requires pulling together an assortment of Long Island’s geeks, techies, scientists, do-it-yourselfers and cosplayers into a cohesive whole.
Vendors will sell goods while demonstrating their crafts, and others will put on exhibitions and live shows. Although vendors will be selling their wares, this is not your typical craft fair.
The organizers call it “the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth.”
The idea is not only to showcase talented local makers but to inspire the maker inside us all.
It’s also about solving problems.
“At the heart of the Maker Movement is the understanding that making is uniquely human,” the official Maker website says. The fairs were started when Make: Magazine launched as a DIY bible for tech projects and began hosting the events.
The first one was held in 2006 near San Francisco.
“It started out with people who were into tech and computers,” explained Wellinger, a self-described geek for everything maker. “Then tech got cool. Well, it was always cool.”
The areas around and between the Long Island Explorium on East Broadway and the Villager Center in Harborfront Park will be the grounds for the event.
Wellinger says things will happen inside and out, rain or shine. Tickets can be purchased through the organization’s website or at the door.
“It’s about networking and connecting,” said Wellinger “It’s exciting to be around and meet so many cool people. You have scientists talking to engineers talking to artists.”
She described the type of person who is a maker as someone doing something interesting they want to share with others.
“People who have a passion.”
Last year, the youngest maker was 7 and the oldest was 79.
It’s not lost on the organizers that Port Jefferson is probably an early inspiration for DIY makers because of its history steeped ship making.
“We try to keep it authentic to our community and the harbor with Port Jefferson being a port community and has a history of shipbuilding,” Wellinger said.
The fair will indeed incorporate nautical themes.
Marine biologists will be on hand, including Oceanswide and its underwater ROV, a remote-controlled rover just like the ones seen exploring the Titanic on film. Boatbuilders out of the Bayles Boat Shop will also be demonstrating their skills.
The focus is to balance as many of the STEAM vocations in this event as possible. STEAM is an educational movement that stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
“We pull all of those great minds together,” she said. “That’s what makes it different. We have such a wide spectrum of makers.”
Local business will be there too.
“So people on Long Island can see what’s going on in our own backyard.”
A list of interactive performances that day include Ryu Shu Taiko Drums, the Long Island Vegetable Orchestra, and “That Physics Show” from NYC. And the Long Island Ghostbusters are going to make an appearance.
Creativity, innovation, experimentation and a whole lot of fun are all on the menu as the Village of Port Jefferson gears up for the third annual Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire to be held on June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hosted by the nonprofit Long Island Explorium (formerly the Maritime Explorium) and the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, the event will take place at the Explorium, all three floors of the Port Jefferson Village Center and spill out onto the adjacent Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park as makers from all over Long Island and beyond will come bringing robots, music, woodworking, metal sculptures and practically anything handmade to celebrate the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, music, art and math.
Last year the event drew more than 2,000 visitors who were able to experience everything from 3-D printing to flame belching metal sculptures.
Ray Rumore with his robot ‘Volt’ at last year’s Mini Maker Faire. Photo from Chris Rumore
Angeline Judex, executive director of the Explorium in Port Jefferson, said she expects close to 60 “Makers” will be there for this year’s event. “At this event, people are able to explore new concepts and technologies, take [this knowledge] home with them and then dive into their own exploration and engagement to create their own maker experience,” Judex said in an email. “It transforms theory into reality. It excites, inspires and motivates the next generation to embrace STEM as a resource for innovative problem solving.”
New this year will be the Long Island Vegetable Orchestra featuring students from the Waldorf School in Garden City using carrots, squash and gourds as musical instruments and a visit from the Suffolk County Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, which will demonstrate how trades such as blacksmithing, inks and paints and naval shipbuilding technology have evolved over time.
Returning this year will be costume maker Tom DePetrillo from Rhode Island-based Extreme Costumes who dazzled participants in last year’s Makers Faire with his burly Transformers Bumblebee costume. This year he will be bringing a to-scale HulkBuster Iron Man suit seen in the movies “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
“People really enjoy the giant costumes,” said DePetrillo.
The Hulkbuster costume took 10 months and approximately 1,600 man hours to complete. DePetrillo tours all over the world with his giant designs as a full-time job. It enables him to keep making and creating. “It allows me to have an outlet for my creative energy,” he said. “I do this because I love doing it.”
Father and son team Chris and Ray Rumore have been attending the Mini Maker Faire every year since its inception. Ray Rumore got involved with 3-D printing, crafting and robotics, and created a robot named “Volt,” a companion robot who can follow him around and live stream events with his on-board camera.
“Ray enjoys three main things about Maker Faires — they allow him the opportunity to encourage others to join the fun and become a Maker, the opportunity to meet other Makers and learning about their creations and the food,” the elder Rumore said in an email.
The event is sponsored in part by Stony Brook University, BASF Chemical Company, Capital One, Riverhead Building Supplies and Suffolk County Community College.
The Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire will be held on June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, at the Maritime Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson. Tickets, which are $10 per person, are available online at www.easternlongislandmakerfaire.com and at the door. Parking will be available around the Village of Port Jefferson, Off Street Parking, Brookhaven Town Lot as well as Spring Street. The Port Jeff Jitney will be running during the day. For further information, please call 631-331-3277.
Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire: A fun place to learn
by Carter Altholtz
Kidsday Reporter
April 3, 2018 1:21 PM
The annual Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire will be held June 9 in Port Jefferson, hosted by The
Maritime Explorium.
The Mini Maker Faire is a venue where friendly people show interesting displays, games and other fun
kinds of things for kids of all ages. In the Village Center, right next to the beach, they have 3-D printers, and
sometimes they let you keep a 3-D printed object. You will finda lot of makers and vendors in the Village
Center on its three floors. The bottom floor often has DIY projects made with various things that are in
your house. On the middle floor, there are usually many scientists from all over the country. The top floor
has 3-D printers, virtual reality headsets and a lot of string-based creations like hand knitting (which I will
be presenting again this year) and math strategy using crochet patterns.
The robotic teams from Stony Brook University and many local high schools including Smithtown and
Miller Place use Legos, Erector sets and Meccano-type sets to build functioning robots that can do things
such as play catch and soccer and move things to build a wall. The classes and demonstrations teach you
about science, robotics and more. The Navy has water-related robotics in an outdoor pool.
You may see jewelry and custom lacrosse sticks being made, or ice cream made using liquid nitrogen.
Sometimes there are drones used for video surveillance and delivering packages. And don’t forget about
the awesome food trucks.
Eastern Long Island Mini Maker Faire: A fun place to learn
It is a really fun time for everyone. I hope you get the chance to come out and enjoy the 2018 Mini Maker
Faire and stop by to see my booth all about hand knitting.
Brian Harvey’s sixth-grade class, Minnesauke Elementary School, East Setauket
