To "Tinker" or not to "Tinker, that is the question" (sorry Shakespeare...)

I recently had a discussion with a Head Of School ("HOS" -  hmmm... thanks Bonanza!!) about the value of tinker spaces.  What I was trying to do was explain how "tinkering" (especially in the pre-K to grade 4 environment) leads to engineering in the higher grades.  I also went through the standard discussion of 21st Century skills and the high level cognitive development that tinkering embodies.  It was a hard sell to get this HOS to see what I was getting at but, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and so I showed this individual a great resource (Shout out to James Gapp from Harbor Day School and the InTELA.org PLN.) that I was just recently introduced to.

So what was this mysterious product that could convince a hardened educational administrator??

Kiwicrate!!  (http://www.tinker.kiwicrate.com/).

The point that really impressed me (a long-time STEM educator) was that this product is NOT another science kit!  I love how the designers packaged a whole, well thought out and TESTED kit based project/creative material, parent/teacher's guide, an age targeted tinkering magazine, and FULL WEB SUPPORT!  You can have a monthly subscription that costs less than a large kosher pizza!!  The subscriptions are divided into the following groups: Koala Crate: ages 3-4, Kiwi Crate: ages 5-8, Doodle Crate: ages 9-16+, Tinker Crate: ages 9-16+ (Tinker Crate is the one I have ordered for my 10 year old son - you can read about Tuvia's exploits in my "Kano Boy" blog post.. http://technorebbe.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-continuing-adventures-of-kano-boy.html )

Here is a video on one of the Tinker Crate projects.. one of my favorites as it involves projectiles and destruction!!!

So, what do you think?  Do you agree with tinkering leading to engineering?  How about the Tinker Crate?  As always, your comments are solicited on the blog site.

Regards....

Yossie

Yossie Frankel

IT Director - Shalhevet High School

Tech Specialist - CIJE

Checkout my blog @ technorebbe.blogspot.com

Twitter @yossiefrankel
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