Florida Tech’s Center for Manufacturing, Innovative Design to Host Palm Bay Maker Faire April 29
By Space Coast Daily // April 27, 2023
Free Public Event Aims to Inspire Creativity, Innovation
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Maker Faire will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at Florida Tech’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovative Design in Palm Bay.
Based on the concept of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics – the event is free and open to the public.
It will be a celebration of creativity, innovation, and education that aims to inspire the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers.
It is designed to provide an interactive and engaging experience that encourages creativity and learning.
Applications for vendors and makers are accepted through Wednesday. Exhibits that are interactive or highlight the process of making things are especially desired. Volunteers are needed to assist with various aspects of the event, including setup, tear-down, and booth staffing, and are encouraged to sign up.
Attendees can expect to see a range of projects and exhibits, from 3D printing and robotics to woodworking and textile arts. They can participate in hands-on activities and workshops, watch live demonstrations and interact with makers. There will also be food trucks and family activities.
The Palm Bay Maker Faire at CAMID, 2495 Palm Bay Road, is a crucial milestone in connecting the educational sphere with the broader community, noted CAMID Director Juan Avendano, Ph.D.
“This unique event will provide invaluable opportunities for immersive, hands-on learning experiences essential for our current and future workforce,” he said. “At CAMID, we take pride in pioneering the advancement of experiential learning as the cornerstone of workforce training and fostering its growth within our community.”
The Palm Bay Maker Faire is sponsored by the City of Palm Bay, Larsen Motorsports and Florida Tech and would not be possible without volunteers from CAMID and Palm Bay, as well as faculty, student employees and staff.
A Palm Bay Mini Maker Faire was organized in 2018 in the same space, and as was the case then, this Saturday’s event is a powerful demonstration of the value, variety and impact of STEAM, said volunteer organizer Mike Newton.
“I have been a long supporter and promoter of STEAM and the art of making. The art of making has been foundational to the success of this country and I am passionate about supporting and creating opportunities for people of all ages to showcase this,” Newton said.
“Additionally, we need the arts also to generate the imagination on what comes next.”
Jared Campbell, STEM outreach manager at CAMID, added, “Maker Faires are exciting places for people to enjoy learning more about what they already know and exploring new things they haven’t learned yet.”
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