MakerspaceCT

Our member George made this maple dining table for his daughter in the MakerspaceCT wood shop using the @technocnc router. Quite impressive craftsmanship -- do you agree? (Note: the legs were prefabricated; other than that, the project was completely designed and built by George!)

WELCOME… TO MAKERBATTLE 2026. Where sparks fly. Where bots collide. Where builders become legends. On **Saturday, May 16** the arena at MakerspaceCT transforms into a full-throttle robot combat showdown — designed, built, and battled by creators like YOU. · Custom-built robots · Head-to-head battles · Live crowd energy · Pure maker magic Think you’ve got what it takes? Or just want to witness the chaos? Step into the arena -- bit.ly/MakerBattle Maker Battle 2026 - Round 1 At MakerspaceCT 36 Talcott Street Hartford, Connecticut 10am-4pm

You’re invited to "Innovation Bytes: Member Potluck + Conversation" – a monthly gathering where creativity meets community. When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM Where: MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott St, Hartford This April, our theme is SANDWICHES – and we’re putting a creative twist on it. Whether it’s an appetizer, main course, or even a dessert, we can’t wait to see what you bring! Please bring a homemade dish or non-alcoholic beverage to share. We’re also thrilled to highlight the work of Molly Gambardella – artist, MakerspaceCT member, and teacher. After dinner, Molly will take us through her artistic process and her compelling body of work, “exploring the interplay among social, political, & biological systems.” This is a night for inspiration and connection – whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or bringing a friend to meet our amazing community. Members and guests are always welcome! **Please RSVP** /innovationbytes so we can plan for a great turnout. Mark your calendar, grab a sandwich-inspired dish, and join us for an evening of innovation and inspiration. We can’t wait to see you there! Photo credit: Molly Gambardella

Students in the MAKE'n'ABLE program didn’t just design projects—they learned how thoughtful design can support independence and accessibility for others. At MakerspaceCT, students in the Assistive Technology Design Program worked alongside Kylee Colbert, a licensed occupational therapist at The Center for Children with Special Needs (@ccsnct ) Kylee helps children develop essential life skills through therapy and adaptive tools. “I pursued occupational therapy because I wanted to support people with disabilities in doing everyday activities and participating in meaningful ways,” she says. Her work focuses on fine motor coordination and self-care tasks like dressing and feeding. Over six weeks, Kylee introduced students to challenges faced by children with special needs and demonstrated low-tech therapy tools. She encouraged creative thinking about how design could make activities more accessible. The results impressed her. When she returned to see the completed projects, one team had built a visual memory game using lights and patterns to build attention and coordination. Another designed a coin-sorting device to help children practice pincer grasp and visual tracking. “What amazed me was how each student took the same ideas and interpreted them in completely different ways,” Kylee says. Beyond technical creativity, Kylee believes the experience helped students understand the real-world impact of their work—showing how design, engineering, and empathy can create meaningful solutions. The MAKE'n'ABLE program is generously funded by The Gawlicki Family Foundation.

Registration is officially open for Maker Battle 2026 - Round 1! Build your bot. Enter the arena. Claim the title. On May 16th, 32 remote-controlled robots go head-to-head in a double-elimination tournament at MakerspaceCT. Only one will be crowned Maker Battle Champion! Youth builders get early access — now through April 18 (at least one team member must be 17 or younger). General registration opens April 18. Spots are limited to 32 bots. Link in bio to register. #MakerBattle #MakerBattle2026 #combatrobots #RobotCombat #Robotics

Help MakerspaceCT share its story through video. In this role, you will plan, film, and edit short videos about programs, spaces, and success stories. You will also organize the videos into a digital library that can be used for the website, social media, and outreach. This is a great fit for students interested in media, storytelling, and community-based work.

**EDIT: THIS EVENT IS FROM 5:00 PM TO 6:00 PM** Looking to level up your career in manufacturing, engineering, the trades or technology? Join us for **Office Hours with Securetek Solutions** — a monthly opportunity to connect directly with Alex, a recruiter who specializes in placing skilled talent in advanced manufacturing and technical roles across CT. Whether you're a CAD pro, CNC operator, or just a problem solver ready for the next step, Alex can help with: ✅ Resume reviews ✅ Salary guidance ✅ Interview practice ✅ Industry connections 📅 Next event: Thursday, March 26 ⏰ 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 📍 MakerspaceCT – 36 Talcott Street, Hartford It’s **free to attend**, and placement fees are always covered by employers — so you never pay. RSVP at bit.ly/SecuretekOfficeHours and Come ready to talk about your skills, your goals, and where you want to go. Tag a friend who’s ready for their next opportunity! 👇

Don't miss this upcoming art exhibit at @trinitycollege featuring work by Sydney Smith, Studio Art Post Baccalaureate Fellow at Trinity (and MakerspaceCT member!) "Letters To The Editors" March 29-April 4, 2026 Opening Reception: March 31, 5pm-7pm Poon Family Gallery Crescent Center for Arts and Neuroscience (CCAN) 70 Crescent Street, Hartford @sydneysculpts @trinstudioarts

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, our member JP made a sign for his favorite East Village bakery, Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop. He crafted the sign with Maple and Sapele, etched the design with our LS3653 @boss_laser , and finished the project with @odiesoil To see the sign in person and get the best Irish Soda bread in Manhattan, go to: 📍Mary O’s Irish Soda Bread Shop, 93 1/2 E 7th St, New York, NY ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

That's Right - in the spirit of the season...bring a GREEN potluck Dish for all to enjoy. This will be a fast paced presentation with 3 amazing, creative guests!! Rondell Mendes: @stonington1of1 Ari Klein @ari__klein christianne ryan: @christian.ryan_99 RSVP: /innovationbytes

**Only a few spots left in our Friday cohort for Spring 2026 -- starting this Friday, March 13th** You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need a place to start building. Engineering Fundamentals introduces young adults to product creation, prototyping, and manufacturing technologies in a supportive, hands-on environment. No theory-only lectures. No wasted time. Just learning by doing. Apply today: /efc

Ages 18–29? Ready to gain hands-on engineering experience — without the tuition bill? Engineering Fundamentals at MakerspaceCT is: ✔ Cost-free for CT residents ✔ Project-based ✔ Focused on in-demand manufacturing skills Learn CAD. Build prototypes. Understand materials and processes. Build skills employers actually need. Apply today @ makerspacect.com/efc Funding generously provided by @mandt_bank , Farmington Bank Community Foundation, and @bankatpeoples