Des Moines Mini Maker Faire Returns to SCI for 10th Year with Inventions, Robotics, and Hands-On Creativity

The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) will host its 10^th Des Moines Mini Maker Faire on Saturday, April 26, from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Celebrated as the “Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth,” the Des Moines Mini Maker Faire is an all-ages festival that highlights creativity, innovation, and do-it-yourself ingenuity. Makers from across the Midwest will showcase projects that inspire discovery and hands-on learning.

Featured participants include:

• Powerful Innovations – As a child, Troy Powers dreamed about the cool technology of science fiction. He spent his life learning the skills needed to make those dreams a reality and is excited to present an array of lightsabers and a working hoverboard.
• SCORCH Works Homemade Tools & Toys – Scott Skorch is a maker from Stillwater, MN that can be seen at Maker Faires across the country. He builds toys and machines that demonstrate the powers of science.
• Scientific Illustration and Visualization – The SCI VIZ program at Iowa State University will be showing the intersection of science and art through various activities.
• Japan America Society of Iowa (JASI) – As part of the Cranes of Friendship project, JASI is partnering with Iowans to fold 1,000 origami cranes as a gesture of friendship and gratitude to Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture—returning the gift of 1,000 handmade cranes they previously sent to symbolize the bond between our communities.
• High school robotics teams – Multiple robotics teams from area high schools will be onsite to showcase their FIRST Robotics Challenge competition robots. The teams will demonstrate their robots and talk about their process throughout the day.

Attendees also will be able to participate in “Skills Stations” to learn new ways they can discover their own inner maker and continue the experience at home. Stations include fiber and fabric arts, puppet making, chalk art, soldering, paper circuits, and plastic fusing.

The festival atmosphere continues with food trucks, including: Karam’s Mediterranean Grill, Totally Rolled Ice Cream and the Big Red Food Truck.

“Maker Faire is about igniting curiosity and celebrating creativity,” said Jolie Pelds, SCI’s Director of Innovative STEM Teaching. “It’s a one-of-a-kind experience where visitors can not only witness innovation but participate in it.”

Other highlights of this year’s Des Moines Mini Maker Faire include special workshops for more in-depth experiences. Registration for these workshops will be available on-site the day of the event. A sampling of the regular and advanced workshops includes:

• Regular Workshops (free with admission – registration required)
  • Plastic Fusing
  • Soldering
  • Origami with Japan American Society of Iowa
• Advanced Workshops (small fee to attend – registration required)
  • Board Game Design
  • Needle Felting
  • 3D Design & Printing

All Des Moines Mini Maker Faire activities are included with SCI admission ($17 for adults and children ages 2-12; $15 for seniors 65+). The Advanced Workshops require a small additional fee. Learn more at https://www.sciowa.org/makerfaire/.