Toledo Tinkers: The Future
Over the course of this project, our community has recognized the benefits of supporting a community-specific tinkering program that is accessible to all students. With this recognition, we have been able to secure several grants from local funders to continue the work for the 2024-2025 school year, at no cost to our community partners. Moving forward, we hope this gracious support continues so that we are able to make a lasting impact on as many future scientists, engineers, and designers as possible. After all, it is our responsibility to prepare the next generation of leaders for whatever the future may hold. We can do our part by empowering youth with the 21st-century skills that are taught through our open-ended approach to making and tinkering.
In addition to our grant-funded programming, we are excited to be expanding Toledo Tinkers into a revenue-based model this school year. With eight new options of Tinkering Workshop on Wheels, and an all-new Tinker Festival, any organization or school can experience the joy of Toledo Tinkers.
Toledo Tinkers Tips
- Be flexible! After school programs serve children of all ages and backgrounds so be prepared and willing to adapt your curriculum to meet the needs of every child. Most tinkering activities can be scaffolded to reach every learner. For example, children can create a design out of modeling clay before creating their design in 3D printing software.
- Look into the culture of your location ahead of time. Knowing about the environment you are entering can help you gain confidence and center yourself as a facilitator. Reference their expectations and behavior systems before trying to create your own. Also, note important dates or upcoming events/initiatives and try to incorporate them into your activities. When we hosted a Maker Club series at a local high school, we were able to relate our “Circuit Accessories” activity to their upcoming masquerade prom!
- Have a consistent tinkering team, if possible. Many aspects of tinkering take some time to learn. Sending the same team out gives those team members an opportunity to develop their skills while building steady relationships with the kids.
- Show up for your community partners. Organizations want to partner with other organizations that are reliable and consistent. Think about all the ways you can contribute year-round—not just for a one-time event or when it is convenient. Attend routine meetings and check in frequently to keep relationships strong and communication open.
Final Evaluation Report
Formative Evaluation Research Associates (FERA) served as the evaluator on the project from September 1, 2020 – June 30, 2024. Below is the final report outlining findings and recommendations for future program delivery.
Key findings of the report:
Toledo Tinkers positively impacted youth and achieved a number of outcomes outlined in the grant proposal. The program increased access and exposure to STEM opportunities for young people in communities across Toledo that typically don’t have access to these activities. The programming increased:
- Exposure to high quality STEM education
- Interest in STEM-related activities
- Sense of inclusion in STEM practice
- Ability to identify the practice of making as an opportunity for creativity, self-expression, and community transformation
- Awareness of Imagination Station as a STEM resource
Resources that Inspire Us
- Vossoughi, S., Davis, N., Jackson, A., Echevarria, R., Muñoz, A. & Escudé, M. (January, 2021). Beyond the Binary of Adult Versus Child Centered Learning Pedagogies of Joint Activity in the Context of Making Cognition & Instruction.
- Espinoza, M., Vossoughi, S., Rose, M. & Poza, L. (July, 2020). Matters of participation: notes on the study of dignity and learning. Mind, Culture & Activity.
- Davis, N., Vossoughi, S. & Smith, J. F. (February, 2020). Learning from below: A micro-ethnographic account of children’s self-determination as sociopolitical and intellectual action. Learning, Culture & Social Interaction.
- Exploratorium Learning Dimensions of Making and Tinkering
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.
