At least 200 students and staff members passed through the second-annual Mahar Makerfaire last week and its organizer was so encouraged by the feedback he plans to open the event to the public next year.

Teacher Chris Stark, in his second year at Ralph C. Mahar Regional School, started the makerspace fair last year to offer students a competitive, operable program that emphasizes hands-on learning.

“It went fantastic,” he said. “It showcases what students are capable of. Some students feel like they can’t really do much.”

The event was held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Mahar’s Eileen Perkins Library Media Center on May 15.

Stark, Mahar’s Makerspace teacher and one of the woodworking educators, said he has received excellent feedback from the middle school and high school teachers and administrative members who attended the event.

“They loved it,” Stark said. “They loved seeing the pride that the students had.”

He said 66 people voted via Google Forms for their favorites for best in show, most unique design and most technical knowledge and skill used. Sophomore Solomon Burke swept the three categories for designing an arcade system using a code acting as a game system emulator, allowing it to process and play games ranging from Donkey Kong to Sonic the Hedgehog. The case he used was built entirely out of wood that had been spray-painted black. The monitor was a recycled computer monitor previously destined for the dump and the buttons and joysticks were purchased as a small kit.

“He was gleaming with pride, man – just all across his face,” Stark said. “It was beautiful.”

He said Beliah Esteves took second place in all three categories and Dominick Berry placed third.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.