Mini Maker Faire is the best fair in town

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium's impressive flyer caught my eye and I needed to know more.  The flyer detailed the Palm Beach's first Mini Maker Faire hosted by South Florida Science Center in partnership with HackLab North Boynton held on May 14, 2016.

Let me confess something first.  I had no idea what a Maker Faire was or what it entailed.  Was I blown away!  The original Maker Faire launched in 2006 to inspire hands on demonstration of artists and scientists under one roof.  Everyone from crafters to hobbyists to engineers come to exhibit new ideas and show case their hard work.


The event was beyond anything my son or I could have imagined.  A short list of what was included:


3D printing

3D printing

Drone demonstrations

Trying to run the drone

Do it yourself maze setups

Very intricate maze

Soldering classes

First time soldering!

Lego robotic machines (my son's favorite)! Local junior and high school students competed in robotics competition to build working lego machines that accomplished multi tasks like for example a garbage scooper.

Cleaning up the "beach"

Or a "live" lego snake with sensors that could "bite."

Star Wars characters

Even Darth Vader participated in the science exhibit

Nitrogen combustion

We spent the whole time 10-4pm exploring all the faire had to offer.  As a Homeschool parent, I search far and wide to expose my son to every learning event possible.  The Palm Beach Mini Maker Faire was one of the best events.  We can't wait to go back to the South Florida Science Center to take advantage of the rest of what the museum has to offer.  

Homeschool Coop: Octopus counting game

This month's Homeschool coop theme was "Oceans"! Our kids learned about mollusks, the ocean zones, coral reefs, crustaceans.  Class today we worked gluing, counting, and pincer movements in this specific project.

Octopus Counting game

Rainy Days

Perfect way to spend a rainy day. Legos!

Homeschool

I have several passions including running, my kids, etc.  While training for this current marathon season I also started a Homeschool group.  My curious, vibrant LO needed more of an educational structure.  The thought of homeschool frightened me.  I am not a traditional teacher, and at first didn't know many other moms interested in homeschooling.  I researched, read and asked questions.  Our class formed.  Over time our group grew.  Now we are 9 strong.  Teaching children, especially your own, can be overwhelming but yet exciting.  But imagine 9 rightfully opinionated parents, moms specifically, all with the noble goal with providing the best education possible.  No small task let me tell you.  We are in our sixth month and still going through many growing pains.