Registration for New Jersey Makers Day 2026 opens Friday, October 24!
Posted on by Emily Witkowski
We are pleased to announce that registration is open for New Jersey Makers Day 2026, scheduled for March 20-22, 2026! Please register your site by completing the form here.
As always, we strongly encourage sites to pick dates that work best for your community. We understand that March is a busy time for cultural and religious celebrations, and you should feel empowered to schedule something that works best for you and your community.
We are making some changes this year, which means we will be unable to offer our Mini-Grants program, but we highly recommend you check out the STEM Month Mini-Grants program from the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network! This fantastic opportunity is OPEN NOW! Please note their timeline has changed from previous years, and the application will close on January 9th, 2026.
Once you register, you will receive updates regarding online meetups, professional development opportunities, and more.
Any questions about NJMD registration can be directed to Emily Witkowski, Site Support Chair, at Email
Thank you for your continued support of New Jersey Makers Day!
2025 New Jersey Makers Day Mini-Grant Winners
Posted on by Emily Witkowski
The New Jersey Makers Day Executive Board and Site Support Committee is thrilled to announce our slate of 2025
- Cumberland County Library – NJ Makers Day – Minecraft In Real Life!
- Fairview Public Library – Arduino Circuit Lesson Workshop
- Fort Lee Public Library – Fort Lee Public Library Repair Café
- The Gearing Towards Engineering Foundation – Sand Filter Workshop
- Kenilworth Public Library – Explore Your Creativity at the Kenilworth Public Library
- The Linden Free Public Library – Linden Public Library’s You Can Build It Robotics Programming
- Linwood Public Library – A Whole Lotta Automata
- Metuchen Public Library – Future Filmmakers Festival
- Newark Public Library – Grow Food Anywhere: Hydroponics in the Library
- Pequannock Township Public Library – Once Upon a STEM: Pequannock Makers Day 2025
- Plainfield Public Library – Plainfield’s Pollinator Protectors: A Makers Day Community Project (Bee Better Together)
- Secaucus Public Library – Birdhouse Build-a-Thon
- South Brunswick Public Library – ‘Dapt your Craft: crafting with arthritis, chronic pain, and disabilities
- Springfield Free Public Library – Creating for a Cause with the Springfield Library
- Wayne Hills High School – Upcycle and Innovate Makerspace Project
- Wayne Valley High School – Wayne Valley Media Center Makers Week
This year we had 43 grant applications representing 10 counties across the state. 44% of our grant winning sites are located in communities where the median household income is below the state average of $99,781(2023 American community Survey) and 68% of our grant winning sites are located in communities where at least 24% of the population identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).
Thank you to all of our grant applications this year and we look forward to seeing what all of our 2025 NJMD sites have in store!
2024 New Jersey Makers Day Mini-Grant Winners
Posted on by Ann-Marie Aymer
The New Jersey Makers Day Executive Board and Site Support Committee is thrilled to announce our slate of 2024 Mini-Grant recipients.
- Cumberland County Library
- Fort Lee Public Library
- George Washington Middle School
- Hoboken Public Library
- Library of the Chathams
- Long Hill Township Library
- Mercer County Library System, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
- Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield
- Somerset County Library System
- South River Public Library
- Springfield Free Public Library
- Taylor Memorial Library at Centenary University
- West Deptford Free Public Library
2023 New Jersey Makers Day Mini-Grant Winners
Posted on by Ann-Marie Aymer
We would like to wish a hearty congratulations to the following 2023 NJ Maker’s Day Mini-Grant winners:
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New Jersey City University/Department of Educational Technology
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Liberty Hall Museum
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Ringwood Public Library
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Lambertville Free Public Library
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STEAM URBAN
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South Orange Public Library
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Gloucester County Library System: Mullica Hill Branch
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Cumberland County Library
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Cliffside Part Elementary School No. 3.
The deadline to apply for the 2024 round of competitive Mini-Grants is 5 pm on Friday, December 8, 2023. In order to apply for mini grant funding, you must first register to be a participating site for our 10th annual NJ Maker’s Day.
In honor of the 10 year anniversary for New Jersey Makers Day, our maximum mini-grant amount has been increased from $500 to $1000.
For more information about our competitive Mini-Grant process, including a PDF version of the application, and examples of best practices, please visit njmakersday.org/mini-grants.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Scratch Story Contest!
Posted on by Doug Baldwin
We are excited to announce the winners of the 2019 Scratch Story Contest sponsored by WeMake 4H of Edison, NJ. There were a lot of great submissions from students around the state and such great stories created! We have linked to the winning stories below :
Elementary School:
Winner – Hayden Lee (Gr. 5)
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/295692355
Runner up – John Alister Bombardiere (Gr. 4)
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/296764878/
Middle School:
Winner – Dhruva Bhattacharjee (Gr. 7)
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/298618291
Runner up – Hersh Daftary (Gr. 6)
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/294551236/
Congratulations to all our winners!!
March 23, 2019 Declared New Jersey Makers Day by NJ Legislative Resolution
Posted on by Doug Baldwin
New Jersey Makers Day is pleased to announce that this year’s event was commemorated by a New Jersey Joint Assembly Proclamation. We are thrilled to have our NJ legislators engaged and connected with all our statewide organizations and visitors to these events statewide. We continue to be committed to showcasing and highlighting NJ communities and community serving organizations statewide providing access and opportunity to STEM and making experiences for residents of all ages!
2019 NJ Assembly Joint Resolution (PDF)
Kinnelon Public Library Girls Who Code Club Shares Their Work at New Jersey Makers Day
Posted on by Doug Baldwin
Kinnelon Public Library Girls Who Code Club showcased the work of their Club to the local community as part of New Jersey Makers Day 2019. Club members Grace Goldberg and Lauren Diaz, Club founder Caroline Balick and Club facilitator Eve Balick shared information about their Club’s community impact projects and how the community can get involved with Girls Who Code.
We asked each table visitor to share what website, app, virtual reality project or wearable tech they would make if they were making a Girls Who Code project to impact their communities. Table visitors wrote their responses on post it notes and put them up on our poster board.
The Club members shared information about their Club, such as fun field trips to exciting New York tech companies with opportunities to meet women software engineers. The Club members also gave out Girls Who Code flyers and swag including stickers and pens.
Winners Announced for 2019 New Jersey Makers Day Mini Grants
Posted on by Doug Baldwin
New Jersey Makers Day is pleased to announce the winners of our 2019 Mini Grants! This grant program is designed specifically to help support and incubate innovative and impact-driven projects from organizations who have registered to participate as New Jersey Makers Day site locations. We look forward to supporting these organization as they plan and implement their community based projects to support our mission in providing hands-on learning, making, and STE(A)M experiences for their service populations.
- Newark Public Library – Branch Brook
- East Brunswick Public Library
- Ringwood Public Library
- Metuchen Public Library
- Vineland Public Library
- Roebling Museum
- Camden County Library – Bellmawr Branch
- Morris County Park Commission
- Bogota Public Library
- Parsippany Public Library – Lake Hiawatha Branch
- Denville Public Library
- Readington Middle School
Girls Who Code Clubs in New Jersey Partners with New Jersey Makers Day
Posted on by Doug Baldwin
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Girls Who Code Clubs in New Jersey would love to share the work that our 230+ Clubs are doing with our local communities. New Jersey Makers Day celebrates maker culture at 300+ sites around our state on March 22 and 23, 2019. If your location is a New Jersey Makers Day site and also hosts a Girls Who Code Club, we would love to spotlight and celebrate your work! We are looking for NJ Girls Who Code Clubs who would like to share their work with their local communities at their New Jersey Makers Day site.
Join us to spotlight your Club, share your Girls Who Code project, and recruit new Club members or Facilitators!If you are interested in getting involved to spotlight your Club, please contact Eve Balick at Email and Doug Baldwin at Email. Please let us know about your potential interest and we will follow up with you directly.
If you are an NJ Makers Day site interested in starting a free Girls Who Code Club, please visit our website to submit an online application or contact our NJ representative Eve Balick with any questions. If you are a Girls Who Code Club interested in becoming an NJ Makers Day site, visit the New Jersey Makers Day website to submit your registration.
Dates Announced for 5th Annual New Jersey Makers Day
Posted on by amcginley
Save the date! The 5th Annual New Jersey Makers Day is scheduled for March 22-23, 2019 at participating locations throughout New Jersey.
In 2018, events were featured at over 290 participating locations in 20 counties in New Jersey, with a reported attendance of 110,000!
We look forward to building on that success for 2019. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and stay tuned for updates about participating locations, featured local events, and statewide contests!
Earn Your Girl Scout Fun Patch for NJMD!
Posted on by Doug Baldwin
We are once again partnering with the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern NJ to offer the opportunity for Girl Scouts, who are affiliated with council, to earn FREE fun patches for attending any NJ Makers Day event on March 9-10.
All Girl Scouts (or their parent/caregiver) has to do is :
- Visit https://njmakersday.org/index.php/sitelocations/ and choose a NJMD activity near you. (Check to make sure there are no registration requirements.)
- Register here on eBiz for your fun patch! Patches are limited, so when spaces are full, they’re gone! (Note: this is the same patch as last year. Next year we’ll introduce a patch with a year rocker.)
- Attend NJ Makers Day, and make something awesome!
- After the event, girls will receive an evaluation. Girls who complete the online evaluation will be able to pick up their fun patch at one of the GSCSNJ Service Centers in early April.
PRESS RELEASE: Winners Announced for First-Time New Jersey Makers Day Grant
Posted on by amcginley
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2018
CONTACT:
Allen McGinley
Email
732-752-1166 ext 15
PRESS RELEASE
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR FIRST-TIME NEW JERSEY MAKERS DAY GRANT
The New Jersey Makers Day Executive Board is proud to announce the winners of the first-ever NJMD grant opportunity. All sites that registered by an Early Bird date for the 2018 New Jersey Makers Day were invited to apply for grant funding of up to $500 per site.
Over 70 applications were submitted, and 15 organizations were awarded funding:
- Beachwood Elementary School (Toms River School District)
- Dover Free Public Library
- Elizabeth Public Library, Elmora Branch
- Franklin Township Public Library (Somerset County)
- Gloucester County Library System, Swedesboro Branch
- George Washington Middle School (Wayne)
- Maplewood Public Library, Hilton Branch
- Millville Public Library
- Mountain Lakes YMCA
- Newark Museum
- Ocean County Library System, Stafford Branch (Manahawkin)
- Otto Bruyns Public Library (Northfield)
- Roselle Public Library
- Secaucus Public Library
- Wildwood Elementary School (Mountain Lakes)
“NJ 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 NJ Makers Day. “Through these mini-grants, made possible by PSEG and the New Jersey State Library, we are making a firm commitment to allocate additional resources to communities across New Jersey to enhance opportunities to learn, engage, and explore in these areas. We believe that supporting and providing community-wide education opportunities in these areas can have a tremendous impact on residents of all ages.”
Applicants were encouraged to apply for funds that can be utilized for materials, speakers/trainers or professional development as part of events scheduled as part of New Jersey Makers Day, to be held March 9-10, 2018 at locations across the state. Priority was placed on those proposals that focused on community partnerships, as well as those events that showed a capacity for future programming and increased the geographic and overall diversity of NJMD locations. It was stressed that event descriptions should be creative and appeal to the mission of NJMD. Each site awarded grant funding has agreed to submit feedback and statistical reports for there 2018 events to the NJMD Executive Board.
Funding for New Jersey Makers Day grants would not be possible without the support of the PSEG Foundation and the NJ State Library. More information about local programming, including those of the awardees of the 2018 grant, can be found throughout the year at the NJMD website, https://njmakersday.org.
# # #
About NJ Makers Day
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.
PRESS RELEASE: PSEG Support Increases Opportunity Across New Jersey for New Jersey Makers Day
Posted on by amcginley
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2018
CONTACT:
Allen McGinley
Email
732-752-1166 ext 15
PRESS RELEASE
PSEG SUPPORT INCREASES OPPORTUNITY ACROSS NEW JERSEY
FOR NEWJERSEY MAKERS DAY
New Jersey Makers Day continues to grow heading into its fourth year
The New Jersey Makers Day Executive Board is proud to announce the grant support of the PSEG Foundation of the 4th Annual New Jersey Makers Day.The statewide event is scheduled to take place at hundreds of locations throughout New Jersey on March 9 and 10, 2018.
With participation steadily increasing since 2015, last year’s event boasted 306 sites across all 21 counties of New Jersey with a reported total attendance of over 85,000. Participating locations included schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums and other educational organizations.
In its fourth year, New Jersey Makers Day, now a 501(c)(3) New Jersey nonprofit, is able to offer grant opportunities to sites to provide additional resources encouraging making, designing and engineering. New Jersey Makers Day also focuses on providing impactful, professional development and support for participating sites.
The $10,000 grant by PSEG enables New Jersey Makers Day to strengthen its support for hands-on opportunities for creating, crafting, programming, tinkering and a large variety of STEM and STEAM-based learning for all ages in communities statewide.
In a recorded message to 2017 New Jersey Makers Day participants, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) congratulated makers for being engaged in this proud New Jersey tradition of entrepreneurship and discovery.
“This is an important part of our economy,” said Sen. Booker, “an important part of job creation, an important part of innovation, and pushing the envelope of humanity. This is a day truly to celebrate, and I love that we, in New Jersey, are keeping it going.”
New Jersey Makers Day Board President and co-founder Doug Baldwin says, “We are ecstatic to have PSEG’s support of our statewide initiative bringing STEM and making experiences to communities across New Jersey. Their generous commitment demonstrates an unwavering support for STEM and maker-centered experiences, education and careers for all New Jerseyans.”
“PSEG is proud to support this ever-growing program that brings science, technology, engineering, arts and math activities and learning to students of all ages,” said Ellen Lambert, President of the PSEG Foundation. “We are happy to continue to support New Jersey Makers Day as it provides hands-on opportunities for all to enjoy STEAM-based learning.”
For more information on sponsorship and support opportunities for New Jersey Makers Day, please visit https://njmakersday.org/index.php/become-a-sponsor/
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About NJ Makers Day
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) non-profit corporation and aregistered New Jersey Charity, and thereby able to accept tax-deductible donations to grow the event across the state. More information about participating in or supporting New Jersey Makers Day can be found at www.njmakersday.org.
About the PSEG Foundation
The PSEG Foundation (501c3) is the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG). The Foundation generally supports and invests in programs in three areas: community and the environment, education and safety. The Foundation provides grants to organizations in communities served by PSEG and its subsidiaries. More information about the PSEG Foundation can be found at www.pseg.com/info/community/new_site/giving.jsp.
PRESS RELEASE: NJ State Library Pledges Inventor Level Support for New Jersey Makers Day
Posted on by amcginley
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2017
CONTACT:
Allen McGinley
Email
732-752-1166 ext 15
PRESS RELEASE
NJ STATE LIBRARY PLEDGES INVENTOR LEVEL SUPPORT FOR NEW JERSEY MAKERS DAY
New Jersey Makers Day continues to grow heading into its fourth year
The New Jersey Makers Day Executive Board is proud to announce that the New Jersey State Library has pledged Inventor Level Sponsorship of the 4th Annual New Jersey Makers Day. The statewide event is scheduled to take place at hundreds of libraries and other locations throughout New Jersey on March 9 and 10, 2018.
With participation steadily increasing since 2015, last year’s event boasted 306 sites across all 21 counties of New Jersey with a reported total attendance of over 85,000. Participating locations included schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, and other educational organizations.
In its fourth year, New Jersey Makers Day, now a 501(c)3 New Jersey Non Profit, is able to offer grant opportunities to sites to provide additional resources encouraging making, designing and engineering. New Jersey Makers Day also focuses on providing impactful professional development and support for libraries and other participating sites.
The $2,000 Inventor Level Sponsorship by the New Jersey State Library enables New Jersey Makers Day to increase the offering of hands-on opportunities for creating, crafting, programming, tinkering and a large variety of STEM and STEAM-based learning for all ages in communities statewide.
In a recorded message to 2017 New Jersey Makers Day participants, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) congratulated makers for being engaged in this proud New Jersey tradition of entrepreneurship and discovery.
“This is an important part of our economy,” said Sen. Booker, “an important part of job creation, an important part of innovation, and pushing the envelope of humanity. This is a day truly to celebrate, and I love that we, in New Jersey, are keeping it going.”
New Jersey Makers Day Board President and co-founder Doug Baldwin says, “We are excited and proud to have the continued support of the New Jersey State Library as a major sponsor of NJ Makers Day! This level of sustained commitment demonstrates their recognition of the impact of bringing STEM and making experiences, education and career-awareness to New Jersey communities and residents throughout the state.”
The New Jersey State Library has played an important role in the development of New Jersey Makers Day and the support has greatly benefited participating sites and communities.
“The State Library is pleased to once again support NJ Makers Day and the entire NJ library makerspace movement,” said Mary Chute, New Jersey State Librarian. “As places of lifelong learning and community engagement, our libraries are already benefiting their cities, towns and counties. But the makerspace movement pushes us a step beyond by creating community spaces where individuals can learn by doing and engage in exploration. The resulting curiosity and creativity have the potential to empower learners of all ages and enrich their lives.”
# # #
About NJ Makers Day
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 non-profit corporation and a registered New Jersey Charity, thereby able to accept tax-deductible donations to grow the event across the state. More information about ways to participate in or support New Jersey Makers Day can be found at www.njmakersday.org.
PRESS RELEASE: Celebration of ‘making’ draws huge crowds at over 300 locations throughout New Jersey
Posted on by amcginley
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2017
CONTACT:
Allen McGinley
Email
732-752-1166 ext 15
PRESS RELEASE
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE GARDEN STATE
Celebration of ‘making’ draws huge crowds at over 300 locations throughout New Jersey
The 3rd Annual New Jersey Makers Day took place on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25 at 306 sites across all 21 counties of New Jersey with a reported total attendance of over 85,000. Participating locations included schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, and other educational organizations.
This statewide event is a celebration of maker culture, and offers hands-on opportunities for creating, crafting, programming, tinkering and a large variety of STEM-based learning.
Students at High School North in Middletown joined in the celebration by building a large, round hovercraft that was big enough to ride down the hall while sitting down.
Activities at East Brunswick Public Library included embroidery, upcycling projects, learning how to use green screen video technology, and how to make video game controllers. They also featured demonstrations in lock picking and robotics. Special guests included NJ Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin.
East Orange Public Library hosted 12 workshops over the course of a week, covering a wide range of topics like sewing, 3D printing, coding, and virtual reality.
The theme at the New Jersey State Museum was “A Prehistoric Adventure” featuring Ice Age themed making in the form of a giant diorama with participant-created landscape and creatures.
New Jersey has a rich history of technological breakthroughs and entrepreneurial spirit, ranging from Edison’s light bulb and Einstein’s theory of relativity to our 21st century manufacturers and countless inventors of tomorrow.
In a recorded message to New Jersey Makers Day participants, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) congratulated makers for being engaged in this proud New Jersey tradition of entrepreneurship and discovery.
“This is an important part of our economy,” said Sen. Booker, “an important part of job creation, an important part of innovation, and pushing the envelope of humanity. This is a day truly to celebrate, and I love that we, in New Jersey, are keeping it going.”
# # #
About NJ Makers Day
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 others 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, which allowed sites not able to host events during the weekend (like schools, colleges and universities, manufacturers, local businesses, etc.) to still be able to provide programs, demonstrations and other events for their communities.
New Jersey Makers Day is now an independent 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and a registered New Jersey Charity thereby able to accept tax-deductible donations to grow the event across the state.