Library

Maker Week

Maker Week 2026

Join us April 20 - 24, 2026 for a week-long celebration of prototyping, creativity, and making. All events are open to students, faculty, and staff across every discipline at UCR. Students can also enter the Maker Faire Competition on May 1 for a chance to win prizes!

The Creat'R Lab's Maker Week is Back

Organized by the UCR Library's Creat'R Lab team, this year's programming is centered around the development of prototypes using the interdisciplinary resources shared at this year's Maker Week events.

From sketching ideas and wiring electronics to 3D printing and crafting a compelling story, you'll gain the tools, techniques, and confidence to take an idea from concept to reality. This event is not major-specific and is open to everyone in the UCR community. 

Each workshop feeds into the grand finale, the Maker Faire Competition, where you can show off your prototype for prizes. However, you're welcome to attend just the events you're interested in. Participation in the Faire is not required. Most events require an RSVP on Eventbrite.

Maker Week Events: Monday, April 20 - Friday, April 24
  • Creat'R Lab Tabling at the Bell Tower

    Monday, April 20  |  10 - 11 a.m.  
    Thursday, April 23  |  1 - 2 p.m.

    Find the Creat'R Lab team at the bell tower! Chat with us about our makerspace resources and let’s start bringing your projects to life.

  • Maker Week Keynote from Animatronics Pioneer Garner Holt

    Monday, April 20  |  Orbach Library, 2nd Floor (Room 240)  |  1 - 2 p.m.

    Garner Holt started building animatronic figures while still a high school student in 1977, founding Garner Holt Productions before he ever walked across a graduation stage. Decades later, his creations have come to life at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Chuck E. Cheese, and beyond.

    Garner joins us to share how his teenaged passion turned into an industry-defining company. This keynote is sure to inspire the next generation of makers at UCR! Register on Eventbrite. 

  • Sketching Your Own Prototype with UCR Library's Sara Stilley

    Tuesday, April 21  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  |  10 - 11 a.m.

    Every great invention begins with a drawing. Learn sketching techniques to translate the ideas in your head into clear visuals you can actually build from. Register on Eventbrite.

  • Creative Storytelling with Reza Aslan

    Tuesday, April 21  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  |  1 - 2 p.m.

    A prototype without a story is just an object. Writer and professor Reza Aslan guides you through the art of storytelling, helping you articulate the purpose, vision, and impact behind your creation. Register on Eventbrite.

  • Tinkering with Electronics with UCR Library's Brendon Wheeler

    Wednesday, April 22  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  |  10 - 11 a.m.

    Bring your prototype to life with electricity! Learn how to integrate electronic components using equipment available in the UCR Library's Robotics Lab. Register on Eventbrite.

  • Iterative Design with 3D CAD Modeling with UCR Library's Alvaro Alvarez

    Wednesday, April 22  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  |  1 - 2 p.m.

    Turn digital designs into physical objects. Learn 3D modeling and printing workflows to iterate on your prototype. Use the Creat'R Lab to turn your idea into a tangible, printable product! Register on Eventbrite.

  • Marketing Practices for Prototyping with Francis Reyes Aguilar

    Thursday, April 23  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  |  9:45 - 10:45 a.m.

    A great product still needs to be sold. Blackstone representative Dr. Francis Reyes Aguilar breaks down the strategies businesses use to market products and how you can apply them to your own prototype. Register on Eventbrite.

  • Designing Prototypes through Sustainable Design

    Thursday, April 23  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  | 2 - 3 p.m.

    Learn how to make sustainable prototypes! In this workshop, you'll learn how to design and construct prototypes using recycled and sustainable materials. Register on Eventbrite.

  • Poster Workshop

    Friday, April 24  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

    UCR Library's Student Success and Engagement Librarian Carrie Cruce will go over the principles of academic poster design, a skill that will serve you at the Maker Faire and throughout your academic career. Register on Eventbrite.

  • Closing Ceremony & Learn About the Maker Faire Competition 

    Friday, April 24  |  Orbach Library, 1st Floor (Room 122)  | 1 - 2 p.m.

    Maker Week doesn't end without a celebration! Join us for a closing ceremony to wrap up this week of making, meet your fellow makers, and get all the details you need about the upcoming Maker Faire Competition on May 1. This is your chance to ask questions, see what other attendees have been building, and get fired up for the final showcase. Register on Eventbrite.

Maker Faire Competition on May 1

In this competition, attendees will use all of the skills they learned throughout Maker Week to compete for prizes. Register on Eventbrite.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their project through a science fair style event on May 1 that will have artifacts from each Maker Week workshop they attended. A prompt will be given at each workshop to ensure that participants are aware of judging criteria.

The top three prizes will be: 

  • Bambu A1 Mini 3D Printer (first place)
  • Mastering Autocad book (second Place)
  • Blueprinting book with a multitool pen (third place)

All Maker Faire participants will receive personal printing credit that can be used in the UCR Library Creat’R Lab and all projects will have the chance to be featured in future library exhibits. 

Help & Support

Have questions about Maker Week? Reach out to the Creat'R Lab team at creatrlab@ucr.edu.