Playful Engineers: Makerspace Build-Along Workshops

Program Objectives
Chain Reactions @Home with Household Materials, Tools, and Toys
These programs engage children (and families) in hands-on, thought-provoking, open-ended STEM/STEAM explorations with ample opportunities to learn:
1) Physics principles: force and motion, scale, cause and effect
2) Engineering practice: plan, build, test, improve
3) Values: trial and error, persistence, growth mindset

Program Description
Students build their own Rube Goldberg Machines at home with common household objects, recyclables, repurposed materials, and their own common tools and toys. During my Live demonstration/presentation sessions engage and inspire kids of all ages and abilities to try making their own "machines". Pre & Post session, the work is reinforced by my online library of pictorial instructions, video demonstrations, and thematic slideshows, which can be freely accessed on any device. Kids (and families) share their progress by sending in pics and videos, which can be shared (with parental permission) through a common blog page, curated for safety and security. My work dovetails well with Next Generation Science and National Core Arts curriculum, but is not tied to it - Playful Engineers promotes child-centered exploration and play.

Experienced and Tech-Ready
I've learned what works, and what doesn’t, and continue to learn each day about this distance learning in this ever-changing virtual landscape, while continuing to add new video and tutorial content all the time. I've got multiple cameras, up-to-date computer tech, and gigabit internet speed to support smooth, secure, reliable streaming into homes and classrooms - for wherever kids are going to be, and whatever the coming school year may bring.

Online Learning Platforms
My programs are modular, self-contained, and created so busy teachers and parents can participate alongside of the kids, but only to the degree they wish. I tailor these resources to support grade-level STEM/STEAM NGSS curriculum. And I work within whichever online platforms and protocols you prefer - Zoom is my current favorite, but if you prefer another platform like Google, Seesaw, Flipgrid, Nearpod, Blackboard, Canvas, etc... I have experience with all of them...

Lower Costs, Flexible Pricing
Due to the pandemic, no travel means easier scheduling, and lower costs for my programs. When you book my online programs, your registrants all have access to my growing collection of supplemental resources - tutorials, videos, and printable instructions. The more they're used, the happier I am - I don't charge per view, or per download. It's all part of the package.

Jay Mankita has worked with kids and families for over 30 years. His engineering workshops are experiential and inspiring. He's also an award-winning, internationally known (Grammy-nominated compilation, Parents' Choice award, Putumayo Kids, and published songwriter and musician. Jay is also the dad of a 12 year old engineer who is learning basic physics in order to catch up with his dad! Over the past 5 years, Jay has been building Rube Goldberg machines, domino rallies, crazy cardboard contraptions, and all kinds of science-based and engineering-strong gadgets and gizmos.

Jay's acclaimed "Traveling Maker Space" has been off the road, and will remain so, till big school, library, and community gatherings are welcomed again, and toy-sharing is back in season. But being "Makers", we must remake ourselves, and our world, to fit the need - so Jay has retooled his approach, and has converted his home workshop into a modern, online demonstration studio. Playful Engineers is back in action, and ready to serve your kids and families!

This program is flexible for all audiences - from an in-school virtual assembly, to 3 kids sitting on a sofa. All you need is an internet connection, and a willingness to see your kids build stuff! Here's a list of materials you may have around the house:

Surfaces: table, floor, shelf, counter, flat board,
Tools: drill, ruler, scissors, hot glue gun, hole punchers,
Toys: Hot Wheels Tracks, Tinker Toys, K’Nex, Legos, dominoes, popsicle sticks, railroad tracks, marble runs, action figures,
Tracks: cardboard, stretched rubber bands, booktops,
Balls: marble, ping pong ball, golf ball, rubber ball, rolled up aluminum foil, baseball, tennis ball,
Building Blocks: blocks, scrap wood, cans, boxes, bins, chairs, stools,
Tubes: Paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls
Fasteners: rubber bands, glue, hot glue, tape, brass fasteners, string, wire (from clothes hangars), clamps, clothespins, twist ties, pipe cleaners, magnets,
Pullers: string, chain (lightweight), ribbon, floss, fishing line, shoelace, tape,
Rollers: balls, plastic containers, toy wheels, toy cars, fruits & vegetables, cans, tubes, dowels, cone shapes, lids, tape rolls, tape roll inserts, nuts & bolts, discs, paper wheels, spools,
Dominoes: dominoes, clothespins, CD cases, cassette tape cases, books, folded playing cards,
Weights: dominoes, blocks, coins,
Spinners: blocks with holes (bushings), rods, pen and marker housings and caps, things that turn freely like swivels (lazy Susans),