PS#1 After School Clubhouse

The Exploratory conducted a Tinkering Workshop at PS#1, a private elementary school in Santa Monica, CA. This inquiry based after school workshop provided opportunities for children 5-10 to explore electrical circuits, take toys apart and create new toys, make LED necklaces, bracelets and T-shirts, tinker and make scribble bots, and to present to the whole after care program, their creations. For many, it was the first time, they had ever installed batteries into a toy, other's learned how to sew, thread a needle, work with conductive thread. For some, it was their first time with real tools - screwdrivers, wire cutters, pliers and hammers. For all of them, it was the first time, they took apart something electronic - telephones, keyboards and moving/dancing toys. And for all a blast to make scribble bots out of recycled materials, motors and batteries. Some learned how to strip wires. Others learned how to use a glue gun and discovered new ways to use tape.

Two things were really clear when they shared their creations - They were proud of themselves and wanted more.

This workshop provides children a fun introduction to technology, engineering, math, science and art while tinkering with toys, their most familiar items.

The workshop presents different areas of investigation to encourage each child to find the vehicle he or she is interest in so that deep meaningful learning can occur.

There are opportunities to make blingy jewelry with LCD's and batteries, clothing with conductive thread and LCD's, toys made of paper, wire and a safe, supportive environment to take apart familiar toys to MAKE new toys.