The first person I heard evangelizing STEAM (as opposed to STEM) was Adam Savage from the science and engineering themed TV show Myth Busters. Now it’s a movement unto itself. Up with the arts! STEM to STEAM.
Author Archives: The Tinkerer
Science moves beyond textbooks at Mendota Heights school
Convent of the Visitation School in Mendota Heights, Minn., is home to the state’s first all-girl robotics team, which won last year’s Minnesota North Star Regional Championship. The school also has created a 4,000-square-foot facility dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math, complete with space for the team called the “Robettes.” Students and educators say …
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Simple And Fun Ramp Walker Toy
This toy is a great combination of simplicity and elegant design. Ramp walkers are nothing new but this model is great. The Automata Blog: Charming little rotund wooden elephant ramp walker toy.
Minka – Meditation on Traditional Japanese Woodworking
MINKA is a short documentary film about a remarkable Japanese farmhouse and the memories it contains. In 1967, an American journalist and his adopted Japanese son rescued the ancient house from the snow country of Japan, and their lives were forever changed. MINKA is an intimate story about place, architecture, memory and the meaning of …
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How They Built Houses in Japan
Japanese carpenters generally fall into one of 4 categories. Miyadaiku – Intricate joinery focused on the building of shrines and temples. Sukiya-daiku – Teahouse and residential carpentry sashimono-shi – Furniture makers Tateguya – interior finish carpenters This film explores the art of sukiya-daiku. It a fascinating look at the art of japanese hand work. How …
The Woodwright’s School
If you are ever near Chapel Hill, NC, do yourself a favor and visit the Woodwright’s School. They are dedicated to the art of working wood with hand tools, wedge and edge. No screaming routers allowed here. The school is run by the PBS icon of over 30 years, Roy Underhill of The Woodwright’s Shop. …
Wooden rolling ball sculpture
Wooden rolling ball sculpture, a photo by gergistheword on Flickr. Rolling ball sculptures have always enamored me. It goes back to my first marble toy built by my father. It served as the literal and figurative launch for many of the Goldbergesque marble runs I built in our basement with carpet tubes, blocks, matchbox tracks, …
2nd Annual Pinewood Derby – 2009
If you weren’t a boyscout, you may not remember, this is the Pinewood Derby.
Painting our Motorcycle
Painting our Motorcycle , a set on Flickr. We weren’t satisfied with our “Poison Video” Red Nighthawk, so we decided we’d learn how to tear down and repaint the tank and fairings. Via Flickr: Our shiny, red Honda Nighthawk just wasn’t cutting it. We decided we needed to paint the baby flat black. This set …
Ebert’s and Gerbert’s Candle Cannon
Ebert’s and Gerbert’s Candle Cannon, a photo by gergistheword on Flickr. These guys were great at the 2009 Make day at the Minnesota Science Museum.