Museum of Science and Industry to launch first-ever Spring Make Festival, a four-week celebration of making

Celebration features new Make Shop, "best worst" robot competition, extended hours, adults-only events and more

CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - On Friday, March 9, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) will introduce Spring Make Festival, a four-week celebration designed to unleash guest creativity. Spring Make Festival, which runs through April 8, will offer a robust combination of daily activities and special events designed to help guests see themselves as designers, makers and tinkerers including the MSI Chicago Mini Maker Faire; a facilitated workshop offering LED circuitry building, 3D printing and vinyl cutting; Hebocon, a renowned "crappy" robot competition; adults-only events and new hands-on challenges. 

The centerpiece of Spring Make is the Make Shop, a new facilitated experience that allows guests to create a personal memento by progressing through three activities: vinyl cutting, 3D printing and building an LED light circuit. As they create, guests will learn about problem-solving skills, the diverse community of local Chicago makers and how making can have a positive impact on communities.

Because so much of the maker process focuses on problem solving and iteration, MSI staff will host Failure is an Option!, a daily 20-minute stage show that challenges guests to engineer, test and modify a skyscraper so it remains standing while it undergoes wind tests, reinforcing the basics of the engineering design process.

"Spring Make Festival is a celebration of high- and low-tech ways that people, especially kids, can tap into their creative potential and see firsthand that there are multiple paths to a STEM-focused career," said David Mosena, president and chief executive officer, MSI. "MSI's unique hands-on approach has always encouraged our guests to be doers rather than spectators and we are thrilled that Spring Make Festival will put our guests' creativity front and center in an entirely new way."

Spring Make kicks off Friday, March 9 and continues through Sunday, April 8. Select experiences and events require an additional ticket purchase. A full schedule is below and available online at msichicago.org/springmake.

Make Shop
Daily
Additional timed-entry ticket purchase required ($12 adults, $9 children 6-11)
Guests uncover the exciting world of making using cutting-edge tools in the Make Shop. Progress through vinyl cutting, 3-D printing, and building an LED light circuit to create a personalized memento.

Live Science Experiences
Daily
Included with Museum Entry
Live science experiences invite guests to tinker and explore like engineers, including two new cart activities and a new interactive show in the Museum's historic Rotunda. Designing on the Fly cart activity encourages guests to create, test and modify an object that can float at a specific height. Deconstructed, also a cart activity, asks guests to figure out how an everyday item works by taking it apart and discussing ways to make it better. Failure is an Option! is a 20-minute live stage show that challenges guests to engineer, test and modify a skyscraper so it remains standing while it undergoes wind tests. Guests can work individually or in groups to create improvements, all while learning the basics of the engineering design process.

Dream It, Design It, Fab It!
Daily
Additional timed-entry ticket purchase required ($12 adults, $9 children 6-11)
This state-of-the-art digital fabrication laboratory features a workshop for computer-based innovation, design and fabrication. Guests can dream up, design and make almost anything using cutting-edge software and equipment, like 3-D printers and laser cutters. Fab Lab users engage in problem-based learning and hands-on fabrication, becoming innovators of new projects and prototypes for limitless use and application.

Engineer Your Future
Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Included with Museum Entry
Guests can test their problem-solving skills through a series of activities and experiences that showcase engineering. Explore eight types of engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, acoustic, computer, aerospace, environmental and chemical) through hands-on activity stations.

MSI After Hours: Science on Tap
Friday, March 23, 7 to 10 p.m.
Ticket purchase required (Adults-only event, $30)
The next edition of this 21-and-older event, MSI After Hours: Science on Tap, invites guests to explore the chemistry of brewing. Guests will be challenged to play trivia on the Museum's Main Floor, and are welcome to explore MSI's exhibits after it closes to the public. Tickets will be available on msichicago.org/afterhours and include one free drink and parking in our underground garage.

Hebocon
Saturday, March 24, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Included with Museum Entry, registration is required (space is limited)
Join us for a "crappy" robot competition! Builders of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels are invited to spend a day making a robot from random parts, then putting its skills to the test in a robot battle. Hebocon participation is limited, but everyone can watch the fun unfold live on a giant screen all day, as our emcee interviews builders, facilitates robot battles, and showcases some of MSI's awesome robots. This event is presented in partnership with mHUB.

MSI Chicago Mini Maker Faire (Museum hours extended to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Included with Museum Entry 
From engineers, artists, scientists to crafters—some of the most fascinating creators convene at the Museum to celebrate local maker culture. Learn how to become an innovator yourself by speaking one-on-one with makers, and leave inspired and ready to invent. There's so much to do and see, that's why the Museum has extended its hours and will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MSI Chicago Mini Maker Faire is sponsored by Make Magazine.

Robot Block Party
April 7-8, 14-15
Included with Museum Entry
Robots are taking over in celebration of National Robotics Week! Hand-built 'bots from Chicago-area university, after-school and hobbyist robotics teams will crawl, walk, and roll through the Museum's Main Floor. Talk to the robot creators and learn the different techniques and design methods that are used to make each robot.

Digital Canvas
Thursday, April 12, 8 to 11 p.m.
Ticket purchased required (Adults-only event, $45)
Immerse yourself at Digital Canvas, an interactive art experience exploring the intersection of technology, innovation and creative expression. Interact with new media artist Dreambait in a collaborative, digital art mural and party to the beats of a DJ under the swirling colors of a live liquid light show performance. Tickets also include access to the Museum's world-class exhibits and free parking. Food and drink available for purchase. Tickets will be available on March 12 at msichicago.org.

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI), one of the largest science museums in the world, offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences that inspire inventive genius and foster curiosity. From groundbreaking and award-winning exhibits that can't be found anywhere else, to hands-on opportunities that make you the scientist—a visit to MSI is where fun and learning mix. Through its Welcome to Science Initiative, the Museum offers a variety of student, teacher and family programs that make a difference in communities and contribute to MSI's larger vision: to inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, medicine and engineering. Come visit and find your inspiration! MSI is open 9:30–4 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Extended hours, until 5:30 p.m., are offered during peak periods. The Museum is grateful for the support of its donors and guests, who make its work possible. MSI is also supported in part by the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414.

SOURCE Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI)