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Tinkerfest
May 17 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Adult: $30
Youth/Senior/Student: $25
Members: 40% OFF – Log in to receive your discount!
Celebrate the curious, creative and inventive spirit in all of us!
Tinkerfest brings together makers, artists, and tinkerers to showcase their work while inviting attendees of all ages to join in DIY fun. During this two-day event, the entire Center will be filled with activities that highlight creativity and curiosity.
Weekend Highlights Saturday, May 17th
Click here for Sunday, May 18th Highlights
Talks & Presentations
11:00AM – Live Science: Rocket Back to the Moon | Theater
Did you know that NASA will soon launch astronauts back to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years? A journey to the Moon is no simple feat. Join Chabot Educators for live demonstrations as we explore the challenges astronauts face as they plan and train for Artemis!
2:00PM – Live Science: Solar Spotlight | Theater
Our entire lives literally revolve around the Sun, but how much do we really know about it? Join us for Live Science and experience exciting demonstrations and captivating visuals as we shine a spotlight on the marvels of our favorite star!
Ongoing Experiences All Day
Galaxy Photo Booth | AstroLight
Capture a memory against the backdrop of a glowing galaxy! Pose with props & snap a picture for your socials. Don’t forget to tag @chabotspace on Instagram!
Annual Car Take-Apart | Front Circle
Working with experienced mechanics, kids will get a chance to use real tools to take a car apart!
Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning | Rotunda
Join the SF-HAB and learn about amateur radio high altitude balloons in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tinkering with Tim | Rotunda
Join local tinkerer, Tim Taylor, as he unveils his newest interactive sculpture projects for Chabot guests.
Fall in Love with Induction Cooking | Cafe
Join Chef Lisa and the California Climate Action Core to learn more about the environmental impacts of home electrification with tasty demonstrations!
Planetarium Shows | Planetarium
Catch a show every hour on the hour from 11:00AM – 4:00PM. To see what’s playing today, check the Planetarium schedule in the Rotunda!
RobotED – LEGO Robotics with ViNee! | Mezzanine
Build a moving LEGO model! Use our custom integrated hub ViNee and LEGO bricks to build your own motorized LEGO design!
Tiny Techs Club has been offering enrichment programs in LEGO robotics to elementary school students since 2011.
How Sci-Fi Inspired Real Space Missions with NASA Ames Research Center | Studio 1
Join NASA aerospace engineers to take a behind the scenes look at current projects at NASA Ames and get a glimpse at models for two upcoming missions, including AstroBee – a free-flying robot used for experiments on the International Space Station, and ACS3 – a solar sail spacecraft that demonstrates a new type of solar sail technology.
Cardboardia: Build a Lunar Base | Courtyard
Every kid knows that with a little imagination, a cardboard box can be anything – a spaceship, a train, or even a magic portal to another dimension! At Tinkerfest, we invite you to let your imagination run wild as the community comes together to build a lunar base out of those good old trusty household items: cardboard & tape!
Rogue Making with Tenaya Conklin: Kits and Workshops in Wearable Technology and Everything STEAM | Studio 3
Go Rogue and make a tiny robot using new electronics and upcycled materials. It takes just about 5 minutes to create one of our BumbleBots with Tenaya Conklin.
Rogue Making with Tenaya Conklin loves the A in STEAM and getting artsy with electricity. Let’s create wearable technology, robots, paper circuits and program some microcontrollers!
Mars Rover Wheel Lab with SF BrightWorks | Studio 3
Can you design wheels that help the rover cross the rugged Mars terrain? One of the most complicated parts of a successful rover mission is where the literal rubber hits the road.
SF BrightWorks is an anti-racist project-based K-12 school, in the Presidio.
AI DJ Booth with Black Girls Code | Studio 3
Get ready for AI powered song generation: Participants provide keywords and a music style, then generate a short song using AI tools. They can instantly hear their song play and see AI in action!
The mission at Black Girls Code (BGC) is to ensure that Black girls believe they belong in tech and launch them with the skills, opportunities, and resources to lead. They partner with schools, companies, local organizations, and dedicated volunteers to offer a range of in-person and virtual learning opportunities that build the skills and relationships our girls need to thrive.
Battletracks with LEGO Materials with Play-Well TEKnologies | Studio 3
Robot jousting with customizable decorations!
Play-Well TEKnologies hosts STEM classes and camps that use LEGO materials.
Tech Take-Apart | Lab 2
Have you ever wanted to take something apart to see how it runs? Now’s your chance to open broken electronics to better understand what makes them tick!
Tinker with Toys! | Classroom 2
Build with tinker toys, practice your skills with mini, kid-sized tools, and have fun with Tinker with Toys: a relaxing playroom with learning games for little ones.
Eastbay Astronomical Society Library | Observation Deck
Chat with a librarian from the Eastbay Astronomical Society and learn more about how you can get involved with EAS!
Make a Tool Troll with The Friends of the Oakland Tool Lending Library | Observation Deck
Join the Friends of the Oakland Tool Lending Library (FOTLL) to build your own Tool Trolls using cork, wire, screws, nails and other fasteners.
FOTLL helps people learn how to use basic tools properly, safely and with confidence through free DIY workshops and programs like the Junior Carpenters’ Club and its support of the Oakland Tool Lending Library.
Engineering Flood Prevention with the Society of American Military Engineers | Observation Deck
Think like an engineer and discover the role of floodplains and rain gardens in preventing floods in our communities! Take a closer look at a demonstrative model built by the US Army Corps of Engineers and build your own small rain garden in a water bottle to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing runoff and filtering pollution.
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) – SAME builds leaders and leads collaboration among government and industry to develop multidisciplined solutions in the public and private sector from across the architecture, engineering, construction, environmental and facility management, cyber security, project planning, contracting and acquisition, and related disciplines in support of national security.
Nature, Art & Music
Leave Your Mark on Chabot! | Skybridge
Join Chabot educators and leave a colorful addition to our Center in this interactive activity decorating Chabot’s skybridge!
Nature Impressions: Air Dry Clay Creations with Kollektiv Clay Studio | Courtyard
Create with air dry clay using natural objects like leaves and shells to make textured imprints—make an ornament, dish, or anything you can imagine! Fun for all ages!
Kollektiv Clay Studio is a woman-owned community ceramic studio located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland that offers classes, memberships, workshops, and private events. They are committed to working towards community and environmental sustainability, and providing a safe and inclusive space.
Scraper Bike Showcase & Design Inspiration | Front Circle
Witness dazzling, fully customized scraper bikes and learn about the creative process. Get inspired to design your own dream bike!
Scraperize Your Ride: Scraperize- Decorating Fun! | Front Circle
Join us and add some flair to your wheels! We’ll provide colorful materials and guidance to personalize your bike’s style.
The Original Scraper Bike Team inspires youth through the art of scraper bike customization – fostering creativity, community engagement, and positive self-expression.
Spin Art Bike by Rock the Bike | Lab 1
Join Galaxy Explorers in Lab 1 to create your own beautiful splatter art by pedaling on a bike!
Planet Pins & Magnets! | Observation Deck
Join Chabot volunteers to create your own resin-cast wearables and refrigerator magnets in fun space-themed shapes!
Live Music in the Courtyard
DJ B1 | Courtyard
Let’s create joy through music! Join us in the Courtyard to boogie with DJ B1.
Click here for the schedule for May 18th
Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente
