Toledo Tinkers: Through A Child's Eyes Community Programming
Tinkering and making merges science, art, engineering and design into a delightful whole. There are no right or wrong answers to problems and no set steps to obtain predetermined results.
The project invites individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in making and tinkering through two kinds of community programming, Maker Club and Tinkering Takeovers.
Maker Club
Maker Club is a 12-session program, designed for children ages 11-13, that incorporates critical ethnography into the process of making. Each session is designed to relate directly to STEAM careers, giving students a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that await them in the future. The goal is to root the practice of making in the individual and social histories of the participating community, and place value on their past knowledge and lived experience. Throughout the series of sessions, children will get in-depth experiences with 21st-century tools including laser cutters, robots, 3D printers, and more, all while creating solutions to problems they may have experienced in their own communities. Once a Maker Club cohort concludes, related tinkering items, known as Leave Behinds, are left at the location so that the group of students can continue and extend their tinkering processes.
Maker Club Sample Lesson - Circuit Blocks
Circuit Blocks Demonstration Video
Tinkering Takeovers
The Tinkering Takeover program is designed for on-site delivery at various community locations. In this one-time experience, we emphasize support for the whole family as we encourage family engagement. Our team transforms a space into a hub of creativity, innovation and hands-on learning. Through six activities, families will have the opportunity to experience the latest in electronics, fabrication, coding and robotics. Each of these activities is designed to teach critical skills for the future and provide an insight into what it’s like to work in STEAM fields.
About our programming
All program delivery takes place in an out-of-school setting. Most Maker Club cohorts take place in after-school settings and Tinkering Takeovers occur after school or occasionally on weekends. Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries serve as a critical partner offering space for programming at its 20 locations throughout Lucas County. To reach areas identified as STEAM deserts that aren’t easily accessible through a library branch, we often look for other sites to conduct delivery at such as community hubs and centers.
Toledo Tinkers is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Grant #MA-245768-OMS-20). Additionally, this work is supported by the Stranahan Foundation, General Motors Corporate Giving, KeyBank Foundation, Columbia Gas/NiSource Charitable Foundation, Toledo Rotary Club Foundation through the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the Elsie and Harry Baumker Charitable Foundation and the Target Foundation.
