The Port Townsend Mini Maker Fair returns to the Cotton Building Oct. 5, and even though it’s the fifth annual iteration of the event, its young organizers have found ways to add new features to what’s become a familiar favorite for many folks.

Ella Ashford, one of the annual event’s student organizers since her days as a local homeschooled high schooler, noted the Mini Maker Fair had recruited the Port Townsend Marine Science Center to provide a new demonstration this year, in addition to the students representing the Port Townsend STEM Club, High School, Pi Program and OCEAN Program.

The PT FIRST Robotics Competition, Tech Challenge and LEGO League will return to present demonstrations, as will the Sea Dragons MATE ROV team Ashford led, the Roboctopi FRC team, the Olympic Dragons FTC team and the Whidbey Island Wildcat FRC/FTC team.

“Last year was our first STEAM activity booth, where kids could build tools that demonstrated electronic concepts, and that they could also take home,” Ashford said. “It really engaged the younger kids, which in turn inspired other exhibitors to bring out more hands-on, interactive demonstrations, for kids and adults alike.”

This year’s Mini Makers Fair is set to follow the template of previous years, with a guest speaker addressing attendees from 10-11 a.m., after which all the workshops and contests of the fair proper kick off from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s guest speaker is Peter Gelpi, vice president of programs for the FIRST Washington robotics program.

“He’s going to be conducting a round-table discussion about how to grow STEM and robotics programs in ways that promote equity and equal opportunity,” Ashford said. “After-school robotics programs are able to reach students that have flexible schedules, and time to attend meetings in the afternoons, but not all students have the opportunity to participate in these after-school clubs. That’s why it is so important to have STEM programs implemented in the schools themselves. Every kid should have access to these inspiring STEM teams.”

In addition to the students who will be taking part in staging the Mini Maker Fair’s demonstrations, Ashford explained that students, teachers, principals, and team mentors and sponsors throughout the region have been invited to take part in the conversation with Gelpi, so their ideas can be heard.

“Just as FIRST Teams foster a culture of inclusion, and recognize that we are stronger when we all work together, so too must the communities committed to developing a durable approach for young people, to build the STEM literacy and confidence they need to achieve purposeful and prosperous lives,” Gelpi said. “Let’s spend an hour together in conversation to shape a shared vision for how our combined efforts could realize that goal.”

Attendees of the Mini Makers Fair can even check out the PT STEM Club’s entry in the 37th annual Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Sculpture Race this year, “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride,” which also raced in Corvallis.

For further details, look up “PTSTEMClub” on Facebook, email ptstemclub1@gmail.com or call 360-531-3575.