The current times drive us to look at learning from new perspectives and try to create learning opportunities that engage learners in more interactive ways. Tinkering and making have been gaining momentum in both formal and informal systems of education. Though interactivity was once defined by the focus on hands-on, Tinkering and Making redefines the term as hands-on & minds-on joined in a learning environment that builds on the importance of play. A mix between creativity, curiosity, exploration, experimentation, and inventiveness to solve real-life problems in innovative ways. Tinkering and Making can take different forms, from taking apart an object to understand how it works, to using material in unusual ways to make art; the forms are different and possibilities are endless.

In this series of workshops, we aim to share with others examples of what we do in our tinkering and maker spaces. We are not here to propose activities but rather to promote a pedagogy. We are not expected to deliver the learning design, tools, and material only, we are trying to project the Tinkering pedagogy and Maker education traits within what we do.

We are growing as a Tinkerer and Maker Community through sharing ideas and experiences, reflection, and discussion. We invite you to join this emerging community of educators.

• You can register to participate in one, two, three, or all four workshops.
• Certificates of Participation are given to participants who participate in all four workshops.
• Once registered, you will receive an email from NAMES network with the list of material needed for each workshop you register in, as well as the access link.

Workshop 1: Resources are not a challenge to start Tinkering - Cardboard Circuit Boards

17 October 2023, 12 pm Cairo Time

We will go through the idea of using recycled material to create cardboard circuit boards as educational tools. The process of taking apart toys and electronics is an equally important learning process as creating and assembling cardboard circuit boards. Also, both making the boards and playing with them stand as possible learning experiences.

Workshop 2: Ready to assemble and make - Make a Windmill

24 October 2023, 12 pm Cairo Time

We will observe the energy conversion by designing a DC motor-operated circuit from cost-effective materials. Bringing together different materials and creating a concrete output as a result is one of the most important points in encouraging learning.

Workshop 3: A glimpse into Tinkercad - Electronics and Control Circuit prototyping and simulation

31 October 2023, 12 pm Cairo Time

We will interact using the free online application. We will learn how to design, write a code, test electronics, and control circuits. We will understand the importance of prototyping and simulation of the designs before building a product.

Workshop 4: Putting it all together

7 November 2023, 12 pm Cairo Time

We will reflect on all that was done in the previous workshops and more, to put everything together and co-design a way forward.

Meet our trainers:

• Samar Kirresh
  Founder & Director, AlElieh for Science Environment and Art, Palestine

• Mehmet Reha Kocak & Omer Akdogan
  Assistant Specialists, Exhibition Transformation Team, Konya Science Center, Turkey

• Islam Elhamshary
  Head of Design Unit, Design and Fabrication Section, Planetarium Science Center, Egypt

Hurry up and REGISTER to save your spot through the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerk2hZZ0PRhP-04KOUgJKSdphDhH_oeErYYFlTS48dYiQUlg/viewform