Meet Dr. Carl E. Lewis, Director – Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
We’re thrilled to announce a very special featured speaker at Maker Faire Miami 2025—Dr. Carl E. Lewis, Director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Join us on Sunday, May 4th at 11:00 AM in the Corbin Building at Fairchild for an inspiring talk:
“Making and Tech in a Botanic Garden: Crowdsourcing a Greener Future.”
Dr. Lewis will delve into how Fairchild is leveraging maker culture and technology to drive distributed research, citizen science, and environmental innovation. Through groundbreaking programs like the Growing Beyond Earth Innovation Studio – a partnership with NASA and Moonlighter FabLab, the Million Orchid Project, and the Fairchild Challenge, the Garden has become a national hub for community-powered science and STEM education. These initiatives harness the creativity of students, educators, and the public to solve real-world challenges—from growing food in space to restoring native ecosystems.
Whether you’re an educator, a maker, a scientist, or simply passionate about sustainability, this session will offer valuable insights into how we can all contribute to a greener future using the tools of science, collaboration, and innovation.
About the Speaker
Dr. Carl E. Lewis
Director, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Dr. Lewis has served as Director of Fairchild since 2008, providing strategic leadership for one of the world’s premier botanical gardens. Based in Coral Gables, Florida, he oversees operations spanning horticulture, scientific research, and nationally recognized education programs.
Don’t miss this chance to learn how emerging technologies and grassroots participation are transforming the future of botany, conservation, and space exploration.
Location: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – Corbin Building
Date: Sunday, May 4th, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM
Tickets and info: miami.makerfaire.com
Maker Link: https://miami.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/1529/
#MakerFaireMiami #FeaturedSpeaker #botany #research #citizenscience
Meet Make: Community CEO, Dale Dougherty
We’re thrilled to announce that Dale Dougherty, founder of Make: magazine and pioneer of the global Maker Movement, will be a featured speaker at Maker Faire Miami 2025!
Join us on Saturday, May 3rd at 3:00 PM at the Corbin Building, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, for Dale’s inspiring talk:
“The Case for Maker Education.”
In this powerful session, Dale will explore why the future of learning lies in doing. Rooted in the idea that kids learn best through experience, practice, and creativity, his talk will highlight how teachers can thrive as guides and coaches, rather than traditional instructors. It’s not about the final product — it’s about the process, the mistakes, and the journey. Expect insights into how hands-on learning can unlock curiosity, confidence, and real-world skills in students of all ages.
About Dale Dougherty
Dale Dougherty believes that everyone is a maker. As the founder of Make: magazine in 2005, he coined the term “makers” to describe those who engage in hands-on work and play. In 2006, he launched the very first Maker Faire Bay Area, sparking a global movement that continues to inspire tinkerers, inventors, and educators worldwide. Today, Dale serves as President of Make Community, LLC, the force behind Make: magazine and Maker Faire Bay Area.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most influential voices in the maker world!
Add it to your schedule: https://miami.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/1539/
Corbin Building, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
️ Saturday, May 3rd
⏰ 3:00 PM
If you are a Teacher, Homeschooler, or Parent – you won’t want to miss this insightful talk!
Meet Sean Kim – Founder of WOOJ
FEATURED SPEAKER: SEAN KIM
At this year’s Maker Faire Miami, we’re thrilled to welcome Sean Kim, the founder of Wooj, as one of our featured ‘Maker Talks’ speakers. If you’ve ever dreamed of building your own product from the ground up—or doing it all under one roof—you’ll want to hear Sean’s story.
From Brooklyn, With Light (and Sweat)
Wooj is a Brooklyn-based studio known for its beautiful wavy 3D-printed lamps that feel like they were pulled from a designer’s dream—and built with a dash of engineering wizardry. But behind the sleek aesthetics and modern curves is a *tiny* team doing the work of many. Wooj doesn’t just design their products—they manufacture, assemble, and ship every piece straight from their studio. Yes, *every single piece.* The company utilizes a combination of robotics and craft manufacturing techniques to create products at a low cost without exploitative labor. Sean loves 3D printing because it empowers ideas to become physical products in a matter of hours instead of weeks, and eliminates the need for mass production for factories. His Wavy Lamp has become a social media hit.
“We built the whole thing ourselves.”
Sean’s talk, “The Joys and Horrors of Trying To Build The Whole Thing At Once,” is part love letter, part warning, and completely real. It’s about the beauty of designing and building in-house—from custom tools to hands-on prototyping—and the chaos that comes with doing it all at the same time. As Sean puts it, “…there’s deep joy in creative control, but also a creeping horror in the endless to-do lists and never-quite-enough hours in the day.” But it’s this passion and focus on intentional design that led to the success of his products as they found their way from his home studio to the shelves of the MOMA Design Store.
Whether you’re an aspiring maker, a solo entrepreneur, or just someone curious about the behind-the-scenes reality of small-scale manufacturing, Sean’s talk offers a rare peek into the hustle, humor, and heart of running a design studio that chooses to keep things small and scrappy. It also starts the conversation on new models for design, manufacturing, and retail in a time where we find all of these industries rapidly changing.
Why you don’t want to miss this:
– Learn how Wooj scaled their operation while staying hands-on and local
– Get the inside scoop on 3D printing, design iteration, and shipping logistics
– Hear real talk about burnout, balance, and the battle between ambition and capacity
Join us at Maker Faire Miami to hear from Sean and many other incredible makers who are redefining what it means to create, build, and share in today’s world.
Hear his talk live at Maker Faire Miami
Saturday May 3rd, 2025 at 2:00pm
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – Corbin Building
Tickets and info: miami.makerfaire.com
About WOOJ –
Wooj makes home goods that are built by robots and people in Brooklyn, NY.
At Wooj, we believe that beautiful, fun, enriching things make the world a more interesting place to live in. We seek to create these things and make them available to as many people as possible, utilizing methods that are as harm-reducing as we can manage.
Maker Link: https://miami.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/1526/
Learn More at https://wooj.design/
Meet Kayte Sabicer
Featured Speaker Announcement: Kayte Sabicer at Maker Faire Miami 2025!
We are thrilled to announce that Kayte Sabicer — painter, visual effects artist, and master stop motion fabricator — will be joining us as a featured speaker at Maker Faire Miami 2025!
Kayte Sabicer’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. She began her career in Los Angeles as a model maker for blockbuster films like The Dark Knight Rises, Hugo, and Inception. Her path then led her to San Francisco, where she became deeply involved in the stop motion animation world, collaborating with legendary filmmakers like Henry Selick and Phil Tippett. Her incredible craftsmanship can be seen in visionary projects like Mad God and multiple Star Warsfilms and television shows.
Beyond her work in film, Kayte is a familiar face to the maker community through her contributions to Tested with Adam Savage, where she shares model-making techniques, fabrication tips, and creative insights on their popular YouTube channel. You can learn more about her fascinating career here.
In her upcoming talk, Kayte will explore the idea of “Making With(Out) Intention and the Importance of Making Things Even Without an End Goal” — the magic that happens when you allow creativity to flow without needing a specific outcome. She’ll share stories from her work in film and fabrication, and inspire you to embrace the act of making as an end in itself. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or just getting started, her perspective is sure to ignite your creative spirit.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the most dynamic makers working today!
Location: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden – Corbin Building
Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM
Tickets and info: miami.makerfaire.com
Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to add Kayte’s talk to your Maker Faire Miami schedule — it’s one you won’t want to miss!
Maker Link: https://miami.makerfaire.com/maker/entry/1531/
Learn More at: https://kaytesabicer.com/
#MakerFaireMiami #FeaturedSpeaker #VFX #Artist
Meet Jen Fox
The Renaissance Maker
In the world of STEM education, Jen Fox stands out as a beacon of innovation and inspiration. Widely known as Jen Foxbot, her journey from physicist to mechanicalengineer has been punctuated by groundbreaking research, entrepreneurial ventures, and a steadfast commitment to empowering the next generation of makers and problem-solvers.
Armed with degrees in physics from Occidental College and mechanical engineering from UCLA, Jen Fox’s academic journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her research spans diverse fields, from probing the mysteries of dark matter detection to pioneering advancements in renewable energy technology. However, it’s her passion for hands-on, arts-integrated STEM learning that truly defines her professional ethos.
In 2015, Jen took a bold step forward by founding FoxBot Industries, a platform aimed at revolutionizing educational paradigms across classrooms, camps, and universities nationwide. Through FoxBot Industries, she champions an innovative approach to STEM education, one that seamlessly integrates creative expression with technical proficiency. By harnessing the power of making, coding, and creative problem-solving, Jen has introduced thousands of students to the joy and excitement of STEM disciplines.
But Jen’s impact extends far beyond the realm of academia and research. As an engineer, entrepreneur, and educator, she fervently believes in leveraging STEM as a vehicle for social justice. Her mission is clear: to nurture young minds equipped to tackle pressing global challenges, such as climate change, with ingenuity and resilience.
Jen’s multidisciplinary expertise is not confined to the laboratory; it’s also reflected in her prolific contributions to esteemed physics journals, including Astroparticle Physics and the Journal of Instrumentation. Her published works serve as a testament to her intellectual curiosity and her unwavering commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.
Yet, perhaps Jen’s most remarkable quality is her ability to blend technical prowess with an infectious passion for igniting curiosity. Whether she’s leading a classroom workshop or tinkering on a new invention, her enthusiasm is palpable, inspiring students and colleagues alike to push the boundaries of what’s possible in STEM.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jen is a tireless advocate for equity and access initiatives in STEM education. Recognizing the systemic barriers that hindermarginalized communities from pursuing STEM careers, she champions initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity within the field.
In Jen Foxbot, we find not just a pioneering educator and engineer, but also an inspirational role model who embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience. Through her unwavering dedication, she continues to forge new paths, engaging and empowering the next generation of innovators to shape a brighter future for us all.
Dive Deeper:
Jen’s Website: https://foxbotindustries.com/about-us/
Follow her on: Instagram | YouTube | Medium | Instructables | Hackster.io
Catch her TALK at Maker Faire Miami on Sunday, April 14th at 1PM.
Meet Chris Bathgate
The Machinist Sculptor
In the heart of Baltimore, amidst the hum of machinery, resides an artist whose work blurs the lines between art, craft, and industrial precision. Meet Chris Bathgate, a self-trained machinist whose sculptures are as much a testament to his ingenuity as they are to his artistic vision.
For over two decades, Bathgate has delved into the world of machining, utilizing both handmade tools and automated CNC (computer numerical control) milling and drilling machines to craft his intricate sculptures. But for Bathgate, machining isn’t just a means to an end – it is his method of artistic expression.
What sets Bathgate apart is his formalist approach to precision machining. His entire body of work serves as an ongoing investigation into the concept, where each piece informs the next in a continuous cycle of ideation, problem-solving, fabrication, analysis, and revision. His aesthetic considerations are deeply intertwined with the very machines he employs, leading to a symbiotic relationship where the machinery itself evolves alongside his sculptures.
Playing with the tension between aesthetic and utility, form and function, industrial and handmade, Bathgate’s interdisciplinary work challenges traditional categorizations. His sculptures are meticulously engineered, with every detail methodically designed from the ground up. Yet, they transcend mere technical prowess, evoking a sense of creative logic and ambiguity that captivates viewers.
In his book “The Machinist Sculptor: Industry Meets Craft,” Bathgate explores the history of machine work and its evolving status as a fine art craft. Through his pioneering sculpture practice, he offers a contemporary reflection on the modern state of craft, challenging technological dogmas that emerged during the studio craft movements of the 20th century.
Bathgate’s work serves as a bridge between art, craft, and industrial production in the Digital Age. His sculptures are not just objects of beauty but also reminders of the boundless possibilities that emerge when creativity intersects with technical mastery. In a world where machines often seem to dominate, Bathgate reminds us that it is the human touch that imbues objects with soul.
Dive Deeper:
Chris’ Website: https://www.chrisbathgate.com/
Follow Chris on: Instagram | Blogspot | Twitter/X
Catch his TALK at Maker Faire Miami on Saturday, April 13th at 2PM
Meet Jen Schachter
The Mastermind of BIG Collaborative Builds
In the world of makers, Jen Schachter stands out. With her visionary approach and unparalleled creativity, she’s redefining the art of making cool stuff, together!
Jen’s journey into the maker scene began in a Baltimore makerspace where she dabbled in furniture building and shared her expertise by teaching workshops. But it was her stint with Make Magazine that truly ignited her passion. Testing cutting-edge digital fabrication tools and writing manuals opened up new horizons for her craft.
Taking her skills to the next level, Jen ventured to the Bay Area, immersing herself in the realm of prop fabrication for Savage Builds—a show featuring none other than Adam Savage from MythBusters. Under Adam’s mentorship, she became a regular at his legendary Cave workshop and contributor to episodes of Tested.com, crafting props and dioramas that left audiences in awe.
But Jen’s ambitions didn’t stop there. She embarked on a mission to share her knowledge, teaching workshops across the country – and even internationally, while also playing a pivotal role in organizing amazing events like SiliCon and Open Sauce Live.
Then came the pandemic, a challenge that Jen met with characteristic resilience. Launching her own online store, she introduced laser-cut model kits that were a huge hit! Yet, amidst her success, Jen discovered her true passion—creating immersive experiences that bring people together.
From illuminating the White House to sculpting monumental 3D-printed structures like the Rosie the Riveter Project, to her crowd-sourced build of a replica Apollo 11 Space Shuttle Hatch for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Jen’s projects are nothing short of spectacular. Each one is a testament to her innovation, commitment to collaboration, and the depth of her artistic vision.
And let’s not forget her appearances on the covers of Hackspace and Make magazine. Whether she’s rocking a towering Marie Antoinette wig or showcasing her latest creation, Jen’s presence is undeniably inspiring.
As for what’s next? Well, one thing’s for sure—Jen Schachter isn’t slowing down anytime soon. So, keep your eyes peeled. The maker world hasn’t seen the last of this trailblazer.
Dive Deeper:
Jen’s Website: https://www.jenschachter.com/
Follow Her at: Instagram | X/Twitter | YouTube
Catch her talk at Maker Faire Miami on Saturday at 1pm!
Maker Faire Miami Celebrates 11th edition with Two-Day Event on April 13-14, 2024 at the Watsco Center
Press Release: Feb. 15th, 2024
Miami, FL – Maker Faire Miami, the premier event for DIY enthusiasts and makers, is excited to announce its 11th-edition on April 13-14th, 2024. The two-day event will take place at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables. It will feature various exhibits, workshops, and presentations showcasing the latest technology, art, and DIY projects. Maker Faire Miami is a family-friendly event that brings together makers, inventors, artists, and tech enthusiasts worldwide to share their creations and learn from one another. From BattleBots, robotics, power wheel racers, and 3D printing to woodworking and textiles, there is something for everyone at the Faire!
This year’s event will feature over 125 local, national, and international makers. Among the speakers, we’re excited to highlight Jen Schachter, Chris Bathgate, Jen Fox, and Anya Freeman:
- Jen is a multimedia maker and mastermind of big, collaborative builds — a set of giant light-up letters for the Obama White House, an interactive puzzle hunt for SXSW, a monumental 3D-printed sculpture of Rosie the Riveter, and most recently, a crowd-sourced replica of the Apollo 11 hatch for the National Air and Space Museum. Catch her on TV as a fabricator on the set of Savage Builds, online as a contributor on Tested.com, and in print inside Make: Magazine, Hackspace, and more.
- Chris Bathgate is a self-taught machinist and machine builder. He has spent over two decades building and modifying a variety of metalworking tools and automated machinery to create intricately machined metal sculptures that defy easy classification. Chris authored the book “The Machinist Sculptor: Industry Meets Craft,” which explores the history of Machine work and its evolving status as a fine art craft, through the lens of his pioneering sculpture practice.
- Jen Fox (Jen Foxbot) is a renaissance maker and STEM education trailblazer. With degrees in physics from Occidental College and mechanical engineering from UCLA, her research has spanned dark matter detection to renewable energy technology. Jen’s true passion lies in empowering the next generation through hands-on, arts-integrated STEM learning. In 2015, she founded FoxBot Industries to bring this innovative educational approach to classrooms, camps, and universities across the country. As an engineer, entrepreneur and educator, Jen has introduced thousands of students to the joys of making, coding and creative problem-solving.
- Anya Freeman is the Founder & CEO of Kind Designs, a social enterprise that uses 3D Printing technology to print living seawalls that mimic coral reefs and mangroves. The startup has grown quickly with investment from Mark Cuban and was recently announced as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Companies of 2024.”
In addition to these amazing speakers, There will be hands-on experiences for all ages including Learn to Solder your own light-up badge with FIU WiCS, Screen Printing your own Maker Faire Miami T-Shirt, watching dozens of Combat Robots battle live – and so much more!
Maker Faire Miami is more than just a showcase of the latest and greatest in DIY and technology; it is also an opportunity for the community to come together and share ideas, learn new skills, and be inspired to create their projects. It is a celebration of the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and creativity of the diverse talents in the region.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 11th edition and can’t wait to see all the amazing things that our makers will be showcasing this year. If you’re here for #miamitechmonth you won’t want to miss this event!” said Mario Cruz, the lead organizer of Maker Faire Miami. “Bring the whole family!”
“Maker Faire Miami is our flagship event, and it’s designed to celebrate, educate, and inspire our local maker community. We are so grateful to all of the sponsors who supported – and to all of the volunteers that help ensure a smooth and successful event for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to see all the fascinating projects and wonderful people again.” Said Tom Pupo, Executive Director of Moonlighter FabLab and Co-Producer of Maker Faire Miami.
Maker Faire Miami is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased in advance at TicketMaster. For more information and updates on the event, please visit the Maker Faire Miami website at https://miami.makerfaire.com/
Contact: Mario Cruz
mario@mariothemaker.com
Event Details:
Maker Faire Miami
April 13 + 14, 2024
10am – 5pm
Watsco Center 1245 Dauer Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33146
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Maker Faire Miami is produced by Mario The Maker and Moonlighter FabLab, a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to empowering makers with access to the skills, tools, and opportunities to shape a better future.
Meet Dr. Madeline Gannon
Dr. Madeline Gannon is a multidisciplinary designer inventing better ways to communicate with machines. Also known as “The Robot Whisperer,” Gannon specializes in convincing robots to do things they were never intended to do: from transforming giant industrial robots into living, breathing mechanical creatures, to taming hordes of autonomous machines to behave more like a pack of animals. Her work proves that robots can be more than useful — they can become meaningful additions to our everyday lives. Gannon strives to show that technology is a cultural medium.
Through her research studio, ATONATON, she brings bleeding edge tech to wider audiences by exhibiting at international cultural institutions, publishing at academic conferences, and through interviews with global media outlets, such as the BBC, the Guardian, FT, the Science Channel, NPR, WIRED, FastCompany, Dezeen, and The Verge. She is a World Economic Forum Cultural Leader, one of the ‘Top 10 Women in Robotics Industry’ and ‘World’s 50 Most Renowned Women in Robotics’ according to Analytics Insight. She has been a Robotics & AI Researcher at NVIDIA, an Artist in Residence at the FIU Robotics & Digital Fabrication Lab, and has held previous fellowships at ETH Zurich, Autodesk Pier 9, and the Carnegie Mellon STUDIO for Creative Inquiry. Gannon holds a M.Arch from Florida International University, and a Ph.D in Computational Design from Carnegie Mellon University.
Gannon will present Creative Robotics: Breathing Life Into Machines at Maker Faire Miami 2023 on Sunday April 16th at 3:15pm in the Maker Talks Room.
See her website at https://atonaton.com/
Follow her at: @madeline.gannon
Meet CW&T
CW&T started as and remains the two-person design practice of Che-Wei Wang and Taylor Levy.
With backgrounds in Architecture, Film and Computer Science, the duo met at NYU ITP where they began their scale and medium agnostic approach to design.
Wang and Levy lecture extensively on design and technology as a creative medium. They teach courses on time, electronics, hardware, programming, inflatables and morphology at Pratt Institute, New York University and the School for Poetic Computation. Their pedagogy extends into the home/studio where they host office hours to lend a hand, or offer insight to anyone interested in figuring out how to make something themselves.
“Our practice centers around an iterative process of sketching, prototyping, testing, writing code, machining parts, and building each edition ourselves to assess our intuitions around improving our everyday experiences.”
Projects range from devices that alter our perception of time, an electronics curriculum for artists, an astrological compass for space travelers, to objects engineered to last multiple generations.
“Sharing our process with our community is essential to our practice. We cultivate an ethos of openness through teaching, open source software + hardware, and by providing support for others to create self-sufficient design practices.”
Che-Wei and Taylor will be presenting “Making as a Way of Life” at Maker Faire Miami 2023. Catch their talk on Saturday at 1pm in the MAKER TALKS room.
Che-Wei Wang [pron. sey-wey] is an artist, designer & architect with expertise in computational and generative design, fabrication technologies, electronics, CNC machining, and metal manufacturing. The results range from architecture & sculpture to interactive installations & mobile apps. He is the winner of the 2003 SOM fellowship and the Young Alumni Achievement Award from Pratt Institute. Che-Wei has taught courses on design, time, creative computing, and inflatables, at various institutions. He is an alumnus of MIT Media Lab, ITP at NYU, and Pratt Institute.
Taylor Levy [pron. tey-ler] is an artist & designer with a penchant for taking things apart, understanding how they work, and then putting them back together in a way that exposes their inner workings.The results take on a variety of forms from low-tech electronic sculpture to high-tech software & other executions. She has work on view at The Leonardo Museum of Science and Technology and was a resident at Fabrica Interactive in Treviso, Italy. She is an alumna of MIT Media Lab, ITP at NYU, and Vassar College.
CW&T is the recipient of the 2022 National Design Award for Product Design from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
CW&T live and work in their Brooklyn-based studio and prototyping shop along with their two young children, Pau and Tree.
Check out their Website and Follow them on social at: @charliewhiskeytango
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