Tinkering Fundamentals: Motion and Mechanisms from Coursera

The Tinkering Fundamentals course will offer educators and enthusiasts an opportunity to develop a practice of tinkering and making. We see tinkering as a serious endeavor—one that is generalizable across content and especially good at interweaving disciplines in a way that leads to complex projects and individualized learning opportunities. Tinkering has recently been introduced into the educational field as a potential driver of creativity, excitement, and innovation in science learning. It is seen by many as an effective means to engage in exploring STEM concepts, practices and phenomena. Tinkering typically blends the high and low tech tools of science along with a strong aesthetic dimension that supports children’s (and adults’) self expression.

NB: This is a hands-on course, so you will need several tools and materials to do weekly activities. You are welcome to purchase only what you don't already have—or even better try to scrounge them from surplus stores! We have put together a list of recommended materials, which you can find here: http://bit.ly/motion-materials

For over a decade, the Exploratorium has been developing science-rich tinkering activities for both children and adults. We see tinkering as a fun yet serious endeavor—spanning many disciplines and content areas and fostering connections between art, science, and technology. Learners follow their own path to understanding by investigating tools and materials and exploring questions that interest them. This opens up a wide range of possible answers rather than any specific “right” one, particularly for teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subjects in the classroom. This course centers on activities related to Motion and Mechanisms, which offer a wealth of opportunities for thinking through making.

In this course, we won’t just show you how we develop tinkering activities; we’ll also delve into why. We’ll focus on three important aspects: activity design around specific materials, facilitation strategies, and environmental organization. We’ll also share some guiding principles and learning indicators we’ve developed that can help you integrate tinkering into your elementary and middle-school science program. Whether you’re new to making or a seasoned tinkerer, we hope this course will help you take the next step!

OUR APPROACH TO TEACHING

This is a hands-on workshop, not a lecture-based class. Participation is essential! We want everyone to be making and tinkering together: trying things out, asking questions, sharing ideas, and reflecting together as a community. This is a wonderful chance to tinker and learn alongside people from all over the world and from all walks of life, so don’t be shy!

PLEASE NOTE: We have put a great deal of effort towards creating a supportive space that encourages exploration. We’ll give you a few ways to get started; prompt you to share your own observations and experience as learners, designers, and facilitators; and hopefully spark interesting conversations and discoveries along the way. While it’s not a requirement, we encourage you to take this class with a friend or colleague, or meet with other people in your area: having support or doing activities with others will enhance your experience and help you stay engaged.

This project was funded by generous support from Overdeck Family Foundation and the National Science Foundation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Tinkering

What is tinkering? What does it mean to you? Is it different from engineering or other forms of making? We'll explore these questions in the readings and forums while getting a sneak preview of the activities we'll be sharing over the following modules.

Marble Machines

Let's get started with our first activity! Marble Machines are creative ball-run contraptions made from familiar materials. This week we will show you the activity in action, talk about its design, then discuss in detail how to build your own Marble Machines set. We also hear from the artist who inspired the activity, and Eleanor Duckworth will share her pedagogical perspective.

CARDBOARD AUTOMATA

This week, we turn our attention to Cardboard Automata: inspired by crank-operated mechanical devices that tell miniature stories with movement and narrative, these simple but engaging contraptions are often a vehicle for personal expression and humor.

Chain Reaction

A Chain Reaction machine is a deceptively simple concept, but one that allows for an incredibly complex and deep investigation into something we experience every day: the relationship between cause and effect. It brings all of a tinkerer’s skills to bear to improvise, build, troubleshoot, and imagine a problem and its solution!

Research + Practice

This week is dedicated to exploring the relationship between practice and research about learning through tinkering.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Centers on topics that are highly relevant to teaching STEM subjects in an elementary and middle school context

Emphasizes hands-on making and tinkering as both a method of teaching and learning

Features instructors who are recognized for developing science-rich tinkering activities

Course is divided into modules, which makes it easy for learners to pace themselves

Provides opportunity to collaborate with other people from around the world and from all walks of life

Requires students to purchase their own tools and materials for hands-on activities

Reviews summary

Engaging tinkering

Learners say Tinkering Fundamentals: Motion and Mechanisms has engaging assignments and videos that help learners on their tinkering journey. Also, the instructors seemed genuinely interested in the success of their students.

Videos and course content are easy to understand.

"The videos and the content that the Exploratorium has provided are very instructive and designed to be easy to understand, yet still grapple with the content."

Instructors are helpful and dedicated to students' success.

"The instructors seemed genuinely interested in my success."

"Challenging yet supportive, inspiring and fresh."

Grading process is slow.

"grading is fucking slow"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Tinkering Fundamentals: Motion and Mechanisms with these activities:

Practice Using Tinkercad for 3D Design

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Enhance your 3D design skills by practicing with Tinkercad, a user-friendly software that allows you to create and manipulate virtual objects, which can be useful for prototyping or designing components for your tinkering projects.

Browse courses on 3D Design

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Create a Tinkercad account and watch tutorials to learn the basics.
Experiment with different shapes and tools to create simple designs.
Join online communities or forums to connect with other Tinkercad users and share your designs.
Design and print a small object using Tinkercad and a 3D printer.

Review previous project work

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Reviewing your past work will help you strengthen your knowledge of motion and mechanisms.

Browse courses on Motion

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Gather your old projects.
Review each project and identify the key concepts that were involved.

Review of Basic Physics Concepts

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Strengthen your foundation in basic physics concepts, such as motion, forces, and energy, to enhance your understanding of the principles underlying the tinkering activities in this course.

Browse courses on Motion

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Review your notes or textbooks from previous physics courses.
Watch online videos or documentaries that explain physics concepts in an engaging manner.
Solve practice problems to test your understanding and identify areas where you need more support.
Attend a physics workshop or tutorial to reinforce your knowledge.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Building Marble Run Structures

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Practice building simple machines and explore concepts of motion from the Marble Machines activity.

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Gather materials such as cardboard, tape, straws, and marbles.
Experiment with different designs and observe how they affect the movement of the marble.
Record observations and make adjustments to improve the marble's trajectory.

Explore Chain Reaction Machines

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Delve deeper into cause-and-effect relationships and problem-solving through the Chain Reaction activity.

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Watch videos or read articles about chain reaction machines.
Design and build a simple chain reaction machine using household items.
Test and troubleshoot the machine to identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Tinkering Fundamentals: Motion and Mechanisms will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Automotive Engineer

An Automotive Engineer is responsible for designing and developing automobiles and other vehicles. Automotive Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of automotive engineering, such as engine design, transmission design, or suspension design. This course may be helpful to aspiring Automotive Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the design and development of automobiles and other vehicles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

An Aerospace Engineer is responsible for designing and developing aircraft and other aerospace systems. Aerospace Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of aerospace engineering, such as aerodynamics, propulsion, or structural engineering. This course may be helpful to aspiring Aerospace Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the design and development of aircraft and other aerospace systems.

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Robotics Engineer

A Robotics Engineer is responsible for designing and building robots and other robotic systems. Robotics Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of robotics engineering, such as mobile robotics, industrial robotics, or medical robotics. This course may be helpful to aspiring Robotics Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the design and construction of robots and other robotic systems.

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Mechanical Engineer

A Mechanical Engineer is responsible for designing and building machines and other mechanical systems. Mechanical Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of mechanical engineering, such as automotive engineering, aerospace engineering, or robotics engineering. This course may be helpful to aspiring Mechanical Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the design and construction of machines and other mechanical systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Engineer

An Engineer designs, builds, and maintains machines, structures, and systems. Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of engineering, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or civil engineering. This course may be helpful to aspiring Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to all areas of engineering.

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Architect

An Architect is responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of buildings and other structures. Architects typically specialize in a particular area of architecture, such as residential architecture, commercial architecture, or landscape architecture. This course may be helpful to aspiring Architects who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the design and construction of buildings and other structures.

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Civil Engineer

A Civil Engineer is responsible for designing and building bridges, roads, and other civil infrastructure. Civil Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of civil engineering, such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, or transportation engineering. This course may be helpful to aspiring Civil Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the design and construction of bridges, roads, and other civil infrastructure.

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Biomedical Engineer

A Biomedical Engineer is responsible for designing and developing medical devices and other biomedical systems. Biomedical Engineers typically specialize in a particular area of biomedical engineering, such as biomaterials, medical imaging, or tissue engineering. This course may be helpful to aspiring Biomedical Engineers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are relevant to the design and development of medical devices and other biomedical systems.

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Industrial Designer

An Industrial Designer is responsible for designing and developing the appearance and functionality of products. Industrial Designers typically specialize in a particular area of design, such as automotive design, furniture design, or appliance design. This course may be helpful to aspiring Industrial Designers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are relevant to the design and development of products.

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Science Writer

A Science Writer is responsible for writing about science and technology for a general audience. Science Writers typically specialize in a particular area of science or technology, such as physics, biology, or medicine. This course may be helpful to aspiring Science Writers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are relevant to writing about a wide range of science and technology topics.

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Physicist

A Physicist is responsible for studying the laws of nature. Physicists typically specialize in a particular area of physics, such as particle physics, astrophysics, or condensed matter physics. This course may be helpful to aspiring Physicists who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to the study of the laws of nature.

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Product Designer

A Product Designer is responsible for designing and developing consumer products. Product Designers typically specialize in a particular area of design, such as furniture design, industrial design, or toy design. This course may be helpful to aspiring Product Designers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are relevant to the design and development of consumer products.

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Materials Scientist

A Materials Scientist is responsible for studying and developing new materials. Materials Scientists typically specialize in a particular area of materials science, such as metals, polymers, or ceramics. This course may be helpful to aspiring Materials Scientists who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are relevant to the study and development of new materials.

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Science Teacher

A Science Teacher is responsible for educating students in the field of science. Science Teachers typically specialize in a particular area of science, such as biology, chemistry, or physics. This course may be helpful to aspiring Science Teachers who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are fundamental to many areas of science.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for selecting, acquiring, and caring for museum objects and artworks. Many Museum Curators specialize in a specific area, such as history, art, or natural history. This course may be useful to aspiring Museum Curators who wish to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of motion and mechanics, which are relevant to the display and preservation of museum objects.

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