Jersey Shore Makerfest Back For More Fun In Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Whether you're making art from clay, building robots or learning how to make social media work positively for you, the fourth annual Jersey Shore Makerfest has something for you.

Jersey Shore Makerfest, set for Oct. 20, celebrates the global phenomenon known as the "maker movement," amd brings together artists, crafters, inventors and educators to share works of imagination and address real world problems.

"Makerfest is a 100 percent hands-on experience," said Marc Natanagara, assistant superintendent of Toms River Regional Schools and co-founder of the event. "Where else could you build an insect, trim a bonsai tree, and experience augmented reality in the same space on the same day?"

In its first three years, Makerfest has drawn more than 10,000 participants. The event, held at the newly renamed RWJBarnabas Health Arena. is expanding this year to two gyms, an outdoor patio and lawn, and a ball field, where drones and remote-control aircraft take to the skies.

There often is a lot of high tech, from 3D printers to surgical robots, but many of the activities can easily be replicated in the home or classroom, organizers said.

"It’s more about having a ‘maker mindset,’ where issues are tackled with imagination and a wide variety of tools and materials, said Tiffany Lucey, co-founder and education technology supervisor for the district. "I;ve seen problems problems brilliantly addressed with cardboard and hot glue."

The event is sponsored by the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, Teq, and Community Medical/RWJBarnabas, and is free to both attendees and makers.

Makers this year include Apple, Barnes & Noble, Microsoft, Home Depot, Ocean County Modelers, Beachplum Quilters, and 60 others. The 20,000-square-foot arena will include robotics competitions, live-streamed EdTalks, and nearby will be the township's Green Fair will take place in adjacent spaces.

"Makerfest has been a catalyst for involving more of our classrooms in taking a problem-based and personalized approach to learning," Natanagara said. "The benefits have gone well beyond a one-day-a-year event."

The 2018 Jersey Shore Makerfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at RWJBarnabas Health Arena and High School North, 1245 Old Freehold Road in Toms River. Admission is free, but online pre-registration is requested at jerseyshoremakerfest.org. It also can be accessed through the district’s Facebook “Events” page.

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Photos by Toms River Regional School District