Defined By Momentum
At MakerspaceCT, when curiosity, craft, and community come together, opportunity moves forward.
Q3 2026 | July - Sept
Explore Q3 HighlightsThe third quarter of 2026 was defined by momentum — and by the people who made it possible. A record-setting Gala, eight weeks of free Summer STEAM programming, a thriving artist-in-residence, and a new partnership connecting students to careers in technology all tell the same story: when curiosity, craft, and community come together, opportunity follows.
A Night of Innovation, Inspiration—and Impact
Even a Nor'easter couldn't dampen the spirit of MakerspaceCT's September 26 Gala! More than 150 guests gathered for an evening of innovation, inspiration, and community, celebrating the people and possibilities that make MakerspaceCT a place for bold transformation. With delicious food from David Allen Hospitality Group and a shared commitment to our mission, the evening offered plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and guests, the Gala has raised more than $73,000 so far, with final fundraising totals still being tallied. These funds will support hands-on, technology-based education that helps students build skills, gain confidence, and pursue high-tech careers in engineering, manufacturing, and beyond.
Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped make the evening a success, from our event collaborators and auction donors, to the staff and volunteers whose work brought it all together. Your support helps turn potential into opportunity!
Highlights from the Gala
More Than a Summer Program: STEAM Experiences Build Skills, Confidence and Connection
This summer, MakerspaceCT once again opened its doors to young people eager to explore, create and discover what they are capable of doing. Through eight weeks of free Summer STEAM programming, Connecticut teens ages 13–17 gained hands-on experience in everything from virtual reality and 3D printing to robotics, sewing, skateboard construction, and drone technology.
But some of the most meaningful results extended far beyond the technical skills students learned.
For several parents, Summer STEAM offered their children something that can be much harder to find: A place where they felt comfortable, capable, and included.
One parent shared that her son had been nervous about entering an unfamiliar social environment, but by the end of the week, he had made connections with other campers, and was already thinking about how he could continue developing the robot he built at MakerspaceCT.
Another parent described a similar transformation for her son, who can struggle with unfamiliar activities and environments.
Video Highlights from Summer STEAM
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For one student, a week of 3D printing became an opportunity not only to explore a technology he loves, but also to build confidence and advocate for himself. His mother said programs like Summer STEAM can be especially difficult to find for young people whose interests do not fit neatly into traditional extracurricular activities.
She added that bringing his 3D printer home was an unexpected gift … and one that allowed the experience to continue long after camp ended.
These stories capture what Summer STEAM is ultimately about: Creating accessible opportunities for young people to experiment, build new skills, connect with others and discover interests that may grow into something much bigger.
For some students, that means learning how to program a robot or operate a 3D printer. For others, it means finding a place where they feel like they belong.
And sometimes, it means both.
Image Credit: @danielkuetemeyer
Where Art Meets Making: Daniel Kuetemeyer Expands His Creative Practice at MakerspaceCT
For artist-in-residence Daniel Kuetemeyer, access to MakerspaceCT has done more than provide new tools. It has expanded what he can imagine, and what he can bring to life.
One example is Falling Leaves, a sculptural work that combines Daniel's artistic vision with metal fabrication skills he developed at MakerspaceCT. The piece was recently accepted into the North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show in Vermont, where it will remain on view through November 2026.
For Daniel, the creative process often begins with curiosity and experimentation. His Flower Ring, for example, started as a self-directed challenge: Could he combine jewelry with a functioning vase that could hold living flowers?
Flower Ring by Daniel Kuetemeyer
Early prototypes revealed a practical challenge … flowers require more water than such a small object might seem able to hold. Daniel responded by designing a larger internal reservoir capable of holding a full tablespoon of water. The resulting form took on the look of a miniature flowerpot, particularly when printed in terracotta-colored filament.
Sometimes, however, inspiration comes from material that might otherwise be discarded.
While using MakerspaceCT's Koike plasma cutter, Daniel noticed unused areas of steel plate surrounding other cuts. Rather than let the material go to waste, he filled those spaces with oak leaf shapes. The pieces sat unfinished for months until he decided their flat surfaces needed more dimension.
Using a bending tool, he added parallel facets that caught and reflected the light. He called the resulting forms "corrugated leaves." Then another idea emerged.
That willingness to experiment is supported not just by MakerspaceCT's equipment, but by the people working alongside him.
And for artists who might assume a makerspace is primarily for engineers, manufacturers, or inventors, Daniel offers a different perspective.
Chances are, visitors may find Daniel in the metal shop working on Shell, a sound sculpture that has been five years in the making.
His work is a fitting example of what happens when creativity has room to stretch: New materials become possibilities, unfamiliar tools become part of an artist's vocabulary, and an idea that begins on paper can take shape in steel, filament … or even a flower worn on your hand.
Connecting Students to Technology … and Opportunity
This summer, MakerspaceCT was proud to host STEAM Train's free Connect-In-Tech (CIT) Camp, a hands-on program designed to introduce high school students to computer technology, engineering, cybersecurity, and careers in STEM.
Throughout the week, students did much more than learn about computers. They worked directly with the technology. Participants explored personal computer architecture, learned to identify hardware components, refurbished and configured laptops, and gained experience installing operating systems. They also took on an electrical engineering challenge and were introduced to the growing field of cybersecurity.
Just as importantly, CIT gave students the opportunity to connect with STEM and IT professionals and see how the skills they were learning could translate into future education and career opportunities.
Students assemble computer components for their PC builds
The program reflects STEAM Train's broader mission to develop the next generation of STEM innovators, with a particular focus on engaging girls, women, and populations that have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields. By combining hands-on learning with exposure to professionals working in the field, CIT helps students build both technical skills and a clearer picture of what may be possible for their futures.
Programs like CIT are also a reminder of what strong community partnerships can accomplish. Cigna and Hallam-ICS provided volunteers and sponsored lunch, while RTX donated the laptops that made the hands-on experience possible. Even better, students were able to take those laptops home, and STEAM Train has already heard from families about the difference that access is making.
MakerspaceCT was pleased to provide the setting for a week centered on curiosity, confidence, and opportunity.
As STEAM Train puts it: Changing lives, one student, one opportunity, and one laptop at a time.
From the Desk of Devra Sisitsky, Founder & Executive Director
As we move into the final months of the year, I keep coming back to one word: Momentum. So much of what we've accomplished this year has been possible because of the strong foundation we've built together … our members, students, families, partners, employers, donors, volunteers, and friends who believe in the power of making, learning, and creating opportunity.
Our focus now is on building on that foundation. That means continuing to strengthen our ties throughout the neighborhoods and communities we serve, while also deepening our relationships with Connecticut's business and industrial sectors. MakerspaceCT is at its best when those worlds come together. When young people can see a pathway into a technical career, when employers can connect with emerging talent, when artists and entrepreneurs have room to experiment, and when members from all walks of life learn from one another.
There is still much more we want to accomplish, and I'm excited about what lies ahead. Thank you for being part of this community, for believing in our mission, and for helping us keep the momentum going.
Together, we're creating more than projects. We're building skills, connections, confidence, and possibilities that can strengthen our community for years to come.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
