Join educator and author Ryan Jenkins for a hands-on tinkering workshop to build fun creations and explore science, art and engineering. Together we’ll get inspired to look at familiar supplies in new and unexpected ways, to think with our hands, troubleshoot tricky constructions, and sharpen our problem-solving skills. 

In this workshop we’ll explore automata which are mechanical toys that move to animate characters or tell a story.  Participants will build their own cardboard crank slider using recycled materials. We’ll learn how to use hot-glue guns, wire snippers and round nose pliers as we construct our contraptions. Through this activity we’ll get a sense of the possibilities for tinkering at home, in school and informal learning environments. The workshop will last 90 minutes and participants will have the opportunity to take home their projects at the end of the session to keep building and tinkering at home. The session is recommended for kids 7 years old and older with a parent or caregiver.