The Tinkering Workshop at STUDIO 24 Makerspace
This is a guest post by Celeste Moreno, a Creative Technologist in the Boulder Public Library District makerspaces and a designer of creative learning experiences for all ages.
The STUDIO 24 Makerspace at Boulder Public Library, where I work as a Creative Technologist, has a special twist– every few months, the theme of the makerspace rotates. The theme for March-June was all things electronics (circuits, sensors, soldering, code, robots, e-textiles, etc.).
As the theme of the space changes, so do the tools, projects, and materials on display. I want the displays in our makerspaces to feel equal parts practical, beautiful, inspiring, and accessible. The Tinkering Workshop is a wonderful blend of all of those qualities. And of course, it’s a book! As this is a library makerspace, I’m always a fan of connecting books to the activities and possibilities in our space. The fun part about embedding this book within a makerspace is that it’s full of the materials and tools needed for the included activities. The Tinkering Workshop and makerspaces go together like peanut butter and jelly! As an added bonus, this book includes several electronics and circuitry prompts and activities that complement our Electronics Studio theme.
Here’s how I invited visitors to explore The Tinkering Workshop in our makerspace:
The book is displayed on our French cleat wall, one of the main display and storage areas in the makerspace.
I created custom page markers using our Silhouette craft cutter machine to call attention to specific sections in the book that are particularly relevant to Electronics Studio (LEDs, art robots, surprising switches).
I prepared a couple of art robot kits that contain some of the materials needed for the activity like motors, batteries, and battery holders, and displayed them near the book. I also gathered materials that are a little too bulky for the kit bags, like recycled containers, and placed them in a box near the kits and book.
Now that June is over, this makerspace display has been packed up and put away (for now). I plan to revive this display in our main library makerspace where we are always working on creating kits and displays that invite people to tinker and try something new. This will be a good opportunity to iterate, for example, next time I display these materials I think I’ll include some examples of art robots that can act as inspiration and a starting point for makers who want to tinker with a preexisting bot.