STEM fun rules at Maker Faire NoVa

By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com

Who didn’t love “show and tell” as a kid?  If you especially liked presentations that involved something someone conceived and created, you’ll love the grown-up version of show-and-tell:  the Maker Faire that returns to Northern Virginia later this month. Whether it involves technology or textiles, computers or crafts, if it’s something you can think of and something you can make you probably will find it at the maker fair, an event that showcases people’s creations, from traditional artifacts to items made with the latest technologies. Maker Faire NoVA takes place in Reston on Sunday, March 19, 2017. The daylong (11 am to 5 pm) event in Reston, Virginia, is a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, resourcefulness. This event is fun, educational, inspirational, and great for all ages!

We have all the details on this year’s event below, plus a chance for one lucky winner to get a “family set” of tickets (good for up to five admissions)!

NoVa Mini Maker Faire features extraordinary projects by some of the most inventive minds in our community. The Faire is independently organized by a community of makers at Nova Labs, the premier makerspace in our area.  The event at Langston Hughes Middle School and South Lakes High School features all kinds of “makers” — technology enthusiasts, crafters, homesteaders, scientists, and more — to share their knowledge through hands-on projects for adults and kids on topics ranging from blacksmithing and primitive skills to 3D printing and work with drones and robots. Makers are grouped in neighborhoods such as Young Makers, Creativity Lane, Drone Zone, Robotics, 3D Printing Village, Science Lab, Flight Path, and Sustainability Village. Activities include many opportunities for children to participate.

The 2017 celebration is the fourth annual event in our area.  The goal is to inform, connect, and entertain thousands of attendees in a family-friendly environment that showcases invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Most exhibits are indoors at both schools, with some demonstrations also taking place outside (the two schools are right across from each other, so it’s an easy walk, but you also can take a shuttle between the two locations).

There will be hands-on activities, demonstrations, workshops, and speakers, and many opportunities for people of all ages to participate. There will also be food trucks on site. Ticket pricess have been lowered for 2017: Prices are $13 in advance through March 18 (or $15 day-of) for adults, $2 advance ($5 day-of) for children, and $29 in advance ($40 day-of) for a family of five. Senior-citizen prices are $10 advance, $12 day-of. There is no parking right at the schools, but free shuttles from the Reston Whiele Avenue Metro station will be running all day.

Also new this year is the Maker Educator Meetup. This is a nice way for educators to network and learn from their peers in the region. A group of experienced Maker Educators will share lightning presentations describing their maker programs. Afterward, participants will have time to explore the Maker Faire.  For details and the final event schedule, see the NoVa Maker Faire website.

Want to attend for FREE? We’re giving away one family pass! See details at the end of this post!

Win tickets to the Maker Faire!
Fairfax Family Fun is giving away tickets to one lucky subscriber! The winner will get one family pass, good for five admissions) to the event! (total prize value:  up to $75) To enter, simply:
1.  Sign up for our free newsletter at this link (if you haven’t yet done so).
2.  Leave a comment below!

Enter by 11 pm on Monday, March 13, 2017. The winner will be picked immediately after that and notified by email. The winner must reply by 11 pm on Tuesday, March 14, 2016, to claim the prize; failure to do so risks forfeiture. Tickets will be sent via email to the winner. Contestants agree to abide by our giveaway terms and conditions.