Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Hosts Maker Faire Miami for the First Time
- wgclients01
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
National innovation festival takes root in South Florida’s most tech-forward garden, highlighting robots, space farming and hands-on science.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, known internationally for blending botanical science with cutting-edge technology, will host Maker Faire Miami for the first time on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The weekend-long event will transform the 83-acre garden into an open-air showcase of invention, where visitors can explore robotics, space farming, environmental engineering and hands-on maker projects in one of the most forward-thinking green spaces in the country.
Known for its pioneering research in plant conservation and space farming, Fairchild is the first botanical garden in the world to house a makerspace in partnership with NASA. The decision to host Maker Faire, often dubbed “The Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth,” highlights Fairchild’s role as a national leader in science education, sustainability and innovation.
The weekend-long festival invites engineers, artists, scientists, crafters and educators from across the region to showcase their work and inspire curiosity in a highly interactive, family-friendly setting. Exhibits will be staged throughout the garden’s 83 acres, encouraging visitors to explore both cutting-edge technology and rare plant collections in a single visit.
Hands-on learning in a living laboratory
Attendees will have the chance to tour Fairchild’s Growing Beyond Earth Innovation Studio, a research hub where local students test how to grow plants in space. Developed in partnership with NASA and Moonlighter FabLab, the studio has guided more than 5,000 students nationwide in creating agricultural systems for future space missions.
"We’ve always believed that a botanical garden should be more than a place to observe nature, it should be a place where new ideas grow," said Dr. Carl Lewis, director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. "By bringing Maker Faire here, we’re opening up the conversation between science, technology and the natural world, and inviting the public to take part in the innovation happening right in their community."
What to expect at Maker Faire Miami 2025
Interactive exhibits and demos: See robots in action, explore 3D printing, circuitry and sustainable inventions from more than 150 local makers.
Live performances and showcases: From science experiments to artistic installations.
Hands-on workshops: Learn how to solder, screen print, fly a drone and create
wearable tech.
STEM activities for kids: Maker stations and family zones designed for young
innovators.
Innovation Trail: A self-guided path through the garden that highlights Fairchild's scientific projects, including the Million Orchid Project and conservation labs.
Expert speakers: Including leaders in artificial intelligence, design and wearable technology, such as Microsoft Vice President Juan Rivera and WOOJ founder Sean Kim.
Maker Faire Miami has been a cornerstone of South Florida’s creative community for more than a decade. This year’s partnership with Fairchild expands its reach, placing grassroots creativity and high-impact science in direct collaboration. It also offers a rare opportunity for the public to engage with real research in a hands-on, accessible way.
Event details
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, May 3–4, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables,
Admission: Tickets are required for members and non-members.
Admission is $24.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors 65 and up,
$11.95 for children 6-17
Free for Fairchild members and children 5 and under
Tickets and info: please visit www.fairchildgarden.org or call 305 667 1651 or miami.makerfaire.com