Wooden Automata
Nick, one of our Maker Corps Members, describes the workshop he planned: Recently, I had the opportunity to teach a workshop called “Wooden Automata”, in which kids created kinetic wood projects. When I started planning my workshop, I immediately knew I wanted to do something with wood, since it’s my favorite material to work with. I realized that for a lot…
Field Trip: Robinson Township Library
Derek and I had the privilege of using the Robinson Township Library’s extremely large activity space to teach woodworking. We taught visitors how to use hammers, hand drills, saws, sand paper and screwdrivers. We planned to have the families experience and learn about the tools. Some of the families asked if they could create something (a sculpture or a structure)…
Boomerangs. They’re coming back.
I love boomerangs. No matter how much I understand the physics behind them, there’s still something magical and artistic about them. I’ve made a few at home, but wanted to make some with kids here, and no visitor would be up for the many hours of sawing, sanding, testing, sanding, finishing, sanding, and other frustration that comes with making a…
Picture Frames
I have noticed over the past year that MAKESHOP has become such a great resource for home school families. Every visitor can benefit from something in the Museum, but MAKESHOP allows for an extremely hands on experience. A couple of days ago a group of sisters ranging from age eight to twenty spent a couple of stupendous hours in MAKESHOP….
Pittsburgh is Art…
The Museum visited the Three Rivers Arts Festival over the past two weekends. Our tent featured versions of activities that happen in the Makeshop and Studio, so we had a lot of fun letting visitors get a taste of what goes on in the Museum. We let visitors play with our ShopBots and experience some hands on woodworking processes. It’s…