2026 Des Moines Mini Maker Faire Exhibitors
The 2026 Des Moines Mini Maker Faire will include exhibitors ranging from future to past, analog to digital, and hyper-local to totally out of this world! Visit the Science Center on April 11th, 2026 to see these exhibitors in action.
Amazing Iowa Scientists
Amazing Iowa Scientists is the latest book in the illustrated Amazing Iowa biography series from Past Present Future Publishing. Designed for readers of all ages, the book introduces 100+ diverse scientists with Iowa connections who have made amazing discoveries and significant contributions in everything from astronomy to zoology. Visit our booth to check out the book and pick up our scavenger hunt activity to redeem for a prize!
Ames Middle School FIRST LEGO League
FIRST Lego League is an international competition for students grades 4-8 to design, program, and build a LEGO robot to complete missions. Come check out the Ames Middle School teams who competed this year and learn how to program a LEGO robot!
Artemis Return to the Moon
Artemis Return to the Moon. Present with exhibits and audio visual aids how the United States will return to the moon. Will talk about the current Artemis 2 mission and what is planned beyond.
FRC Team Neutrino
Team Neutrino, Story County’s FIRST Robotics team, will host fun robotics-based activities, including a SPIKE PRIME robot and full FIRST LEGO LEAGUE game mat. Attendees will get to see robots in action using code, LEGO engineering, and teamwork. Drop by the booth to learn more about youth robotics involvement or simply to have fun with robots!
FTC Team Photon
We are a FTC robotics team at Ames High School. We work together as a team to make and program our robot from scratch, and we also fund ourselves through sponsorships and grants. We implement 3D printed parts in our robot design to make custom parts, and we do all of our coding in java. We going to show off our robot and all of our accomplishments during the 2025-2026 Decode season.
GLiB Games
We are a Des Moines–based game design company specializing in entry-level and family board games. We’ll share our expertise in prototyping, testing, and iterating game designs, while showcasing how AI and maker skills like 3D printing, and laser cutting support rapid innovation in the design process.
Little Creators Club
Little Creators Club is a program that teaches kids and adults how to design a board game from scratch. We run multi week courses, one off workshops, and have take home board game design kits to help you go from idea to playable game in no time. Using the materials in the kit and the guide sheet as a reference, you can hop in the designer seat and bring that idea to life in the form of a playable board game.
Making in the Middle Ages
Dive back in time to the Medieval era with the Barony of Coeur d’Ennui and learn the history of Making! See examples of ancient art made in the modern day, make your own illuminated bookmark, braid a historical bracelet, and even get the chance to fire a mini trebuchet!
Powerful Innovations
As a wind tech and college instructor I use my skills by day to fuel my projects by night, building the projects I dreamed about when I was a kid.
Pumplings
Pumplings is an educational system designed for children with Type 1 Diabetes that makes learning about their condition more approachable, engaging, and empowering. It helps kids build body autonomy, understand how their bodies work, and feel confident managing their care. Pumplings also supports children in sharing their journey with peers, creating open conversations and reducing stigma. By turning complex information into playful, interactive experiences, it fosters a more accurate and compassionate social understanding of Type 1 Diabetes.
Science of Origami
The Science of Origami Project explores how the traditional Japanese art of paper folding connects with engineering. The program introduces the Miura Fold, developed by Japanese astrophysicist, which allows large surfaces to be folded compactly and deployed efficiently. This folding pattern has been applied in space science for satellite solar panels and deployable structures. Participants also create an origami jumping frog, demonstrating how two-dimensional folds can produce movement and three-dimensional form. By combining cultural art with scientific principles, the project encourages curiosity, creativity, and an understanding of how traditional ideas inspire modern innovation in fields such as engineering and space technology.
Scientific Illustration & Visualization
Join Iowa State University’s Scientific Illustration & Visualization Program to Create Colorful Animals and Tattoos!!! Blend science and art together to try your hand at scientific illustration by coloring in fun insect tattoos and on 3D prints. Learn about unique animal adaptations and characteristics. Sharpen your observation skills and learn about this unique and creative undergraduate major at ISU. Come make art about science with us!
Scorch Works Homemade Tools and Toys
Homemade vacuum forming machine and injection molding machines demonstrating how common industrial processes work and can be replicated at home. Stop by and help setup your own design to vacuum forming from a disposable plastic plate an pick up an injection molded object made from plastic that was recently something else (i.e. recycled). There will also be interactive demonstrations including ultrasonic levitation! Various other homemade tools and toys will also be on display.
Workshops and exhibitors will be available throughout the day. See the schedule tab to start planning your visit!