The 5th Annual New Jersey Makers Day was held on March 22-23, 2019 at over 300 participating locations throughout the state. New Jersey Makers Day is a celebration of STEAM (science, technology, education, arts, and mathematics) and hands-on learning experiences of all kinds. While these events take place in a variety of community spaces, a majority of the locations continue to public, school, and academic libraries.
Participating locations hosted an estimated 2,755 programs and events over the course of the two days, with an estimated attendance of over 83,290.
With support from the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly, March 23, 2019 was declared New Jersey Makers Day by a joint legislative resolution sponsored by Senator Beach, Assemblyman Greenwald, and Assemblywoman Lampitt.
“New Jersey Makers Day recognizes the importance of strengthening community efforts to bring hands-on STEM and making experiences to residents of all ages across our state,” said Doug Baldwin, President of New Jersey Makers Day, and Head of Technology at Piscataway Public Library.
Libraries and other participating locations hosted an average of 10 programs each, and had an average attendance of over 274. Some libraries reported an attendance of over 2,000!
“It is heartwarming to see parents and children working on a project together and seeing them share the excitement of learning,” said Catherine Dodwell, Director of Dixon Homestead Library in Dumont.
While emerging technologies – like 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and more – continue to have increasingly disruptive impacts on our world, libraries continue to be the place in our communities where residents go to discuss, engage, and learn about these technologies together.
New Jersey Makers Day began in 2015 to enhance community engagement and develop connections among New Jersey residents by collaborating with multi-type libraries, museums, small businesses and other organizations to promote and explore new opportunities for entrepreneurship, innovation and hands-on learning experiences.
In 2016, New Jersey Makers Day was expanded to be a two-day event. New Jersey Makers Day is now an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and a registered New Jersey Charity, thereby able to accept tax-deductible donations to grow the event across the state.
New Jersey Makers Day receives generous funding support from the PSEG Foundation and the New Jersey State Library.