RESTON, VA — Showing a child what’s possible could be all it takes to awaken a passion for creation and lifelong learning. That possibility was very much in the minds of the more than 300 volunteers on hand to welcome the nearly four thousand attendees for Northern Virginia’s first ever Maker Faire.

Held Sunday March 16th at South Lakes High and Langston Hughes Middle Schools, the Faire featured drones, rockets, spy gadgets, 3D printers, 3D scanners, robots, costuming, jewelry, crafts, antique bicycles, unique projects, and one of the largest selections of hands-on making activities of any Maker Faire to date.

All this week we’ll be taking a closer look at the many exhibits and activities featured at the Faire but here’s a preview. First, a special thanks to the sponsors who helped make NoVa Maker Faire possible: Innovation Fund of The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, WyoLum, Ideaventions, Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) Club,  Holland and Knight,   Amazing Race Timing, Activity Rocket, Fairfax County Public Schools, Small Batch Assembly, The International Spy Museum, FairFax Connector, and Future Makers.

Children of all ages had the chance to solder their first electronics project.

I CAN HAZ ROBOT ?

This was the first opportunity for many to see a 3D Printer in action!

The robots took to the skies in a special caged in area for drone flying.

Crafts and arts play a major role in creativity and it had a major presence at the Faire.

RESton Founder Robert E. Simon enjoys Nova Labs’ tweetable light sign with member Eric Mitchell.

“Squishy Circuits” uses conductive play dough to make it easier for children of all ages to make electronic circuits.

Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) Club host Take Apart Zone.

Craig Trader’s Chaos Machine!

Future careers in STEM are ready for liftoff !