Maker Faire San Diego (MFSD) is back for its second year and the San Diego Natural History Museum is a proud participant. The festival takes place on October 1 and 2 and will feature an array of fascinating displays for the public to enjoy. At theNAT, we will have a wide range of makers with interactive, hands-on activities and learning opportunities, including:

• League of Extraordinary Scientists and Engineers (LXS)—explore a life-sciences exhibit with insects, arthropods, and metamorphosing creatures. Interact with real animals then recreate their behaviors by constructing a modular robot.
• How to Make Puppets—try your hand at making a puppet by making small “sculptures” using Sculpey modeling plastic that can serve as the hands (or paws or talons) for creative puppet creatures.
• SAYA and STEM—explore, touch, and play a 3D-printed violin. Also, come learn about a new STEM program at the Central Library where students can use invention kits and 3D printing to create and learn about musical instruments.
• Out of the Darkness—join EcoVivarium® as they bring hidden reptiles, amphibians, and bugs out from under the rocks into the light of day.
• Association for Women in Science—make a battery out of household objects and learn about the chemistry that makes them work.
• Organ Donor—play and interact with an acoustic pipe organ with varied and novel interfaces allowing extreme interactivity in unexpected ways.
• Sit with Us Mobile App—explore a free iOS mobile app, developed by anti-bullying activist Natalie Hampto, to promote kindness and inclusion in schools.
• Experimenting with Microwaves and Light—listen to light and use a radio direction finder to locate a hidden spy radio transmitter.
• California Helping Hands—test your artistic abilities by coloring in coloring books or making princess hats.
• Gilpin Concepts—learn how to tie an attractive, decorative, yet useful a knot, one of many key outdoor skills.
• Steamy Tech—build unique laser-cut kinetic items and kits.
• Words to Go—make a poem using cut-up words, phrases, and pages then turn your poem into art with recycled materials.
• Sawyer Cigar Box Guitar—assemble your own Diddley Bow or Canjo Kit.
• Boomerang—learn about this geolocation bracelet that alerts you when your children veer too far away.

Maker Faire is an award-winning, family-friendly event celebrating technology, education, science, arts, crafts, engineering, food, sustainability, and more. It has become part of pop-culture, a place for experiential marketing, debuting new technologies and inventions, and celebrating geekdom.

Other participating MFSD museums include: Japanese Friendship Garden, Museum of Photographic Arts, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions, San Diego History Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Museum of Man, Spanish Village, and The Old Globe.

TheNAT will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM on October 1 and 2. Maker Faire ticket holders receive free general admission to theNAT, however, general admission does not include admission to 3D films—film tickets can be purchased at the Admissions Desk for $5 each. 

For tickets and information, please visit the Maker Faire website in advance or visit one of the ticketing booths over the weekend.

Posted by The Nat.