Tinkering is probably one of the most powerful hands-on-minds-on experiences a teacher or parent can provide a child with. As a child takes apart a broken toy or gadget they have the opportunity to truly be engineers. Tinkering develops and strengthens 21st century skills, and introduces the child to the engineering design process and reverse engineering. Through the process of deconstructing a broken or obsolete gadget children see how the many engineering disciplines are used in creating just one gadget. It may also provide the fuel to spark their interest to pursue a career in the STEM fields. I recently had the pleasure of sharing my knowledge and passion of tinkering and re-creating with a group of families during a recent workshop I conducted for the Cocoa Beach Public Library. The workshop was entitled “Deconstruct and Re-Create”, the workshop was held in conjunction with Earth Day to bring awareness to recycling and upcycling. Families were asked to bring a broken or obsolete gadget, safety goggles and the necessary tools required to deconstruct the gadget. Participants were introduced to upcycling, reverse engineering and the engineering design process through an introductory engaging discussion and PowerPoint presentation by Diana Wehrell-Grabowski, PhD. Families were instructed to discuss their gadget prior to deconstructing. Parents guided their children as they deconstructed the gadgets, and children took notes throughout the process. If time permitted, families were encouraged to create a new gadget or art from the deconstructed components. At the close of the session families shared what they had learned during the deconstruction process, and their newly created gadget, art or structure as well. Families received a manual with information on the Maker Culture, STEM Education, and inquiry-based instructions to deconstruct gadgets, as well as children’s literature resources for tinkering, making and STEM. It was a great session, and sustainable as well. Several of the families approached me at the close of the session and stated that they would no longer throw broken items away without having their child deconstruct the gadgets first, and attempting to upcycle internal and external components for future maker and STEM projects. The following video provides snippets of the two hour family tinkering session. For more information on the Maker Ed and STEM workshops and professional staff development Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski offers to libraries and schools worldwide contact her via the contact page.

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