Tinkering Fundamentals: Circuits 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.

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 “right” one, particularly for teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subjects in the classroom. This course centers on circuit-related activities, 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: Although this course will not have active instructor participation, 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.

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

You will need several tools and materials to do weekly course activities. Pre-bundled materials are available from the Exploratorium store at www.artoftinkering.com. Please obtain all materials as soon as possible, well in advance of when you will need them in the course. Be sure to allow extra time for shipping and, if you are outside the U.S., for customs. In some cases, certain items may require assembly. Please refer to the Resources section to review this course’s activity guides.

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.

Initial Explorations

Tinkering is all about making, so let's get started. In this module we begin with a basic circuit board activity, which helps learners make physical and conceptual connections between electrical components. You will learn how to build your own set to play with and why we designed it this way.

Learning Dimensions

In this module, we'll explore erratic motion and art-making with an activity called Scribbling Machines. We'll also investigate how tinkering maps on to different indicators of learning.

Tinkering Tenets and Personal Expression

We'll explore the aesthetic dimensions of tinkering with a full rundown of our Paper Circuits and Sewn Circuits activities, including key design elements and important principles.

Coding, Computation and Facilitation Strategies

A look at the high-tech side of tinkering. In this module, we'll also explore strategies for facilitation and deep engagement.

Putting It All Together

It's your turn! How will you take what you've learned in this class and apply it to your own life and practice? We'll help you come up with a detailed action plan and get feedback from other students in the class. By the end of this module you'll complete your project, your peer assessments and review other people's work.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to the concept of tinkering and exposes them to the ways tinkering can be leveraged to develop skills, knowledge, and a mindset that can foster creativity, excitement, and innovation in science learning

Shows learners how to use and combine a variety of tools and materials to investigate scientific concepts through hands-on activities

Shares important principles and learning indicators for tinkering activities in science programs

Emphasizes activities around circuits that provide ample opportunities for making connections between concepts and creation

Instructs learners on how to use a variety of materials, organize their environment, and choose the right facilitation strategies to support tinkering activities

Appropriate for educators, enthusiasts, and anyone interested in developing a practice of tinkering and making

Reviews summary

Practical stem course

Learners say this course is an excellent resource for both educators who are new to STEM and those looking to expand their current curriculum. The course has engaging assignments and is likely to make you excited for part 2. Many learners recommend purchasing the Tinkering kit so that you can apply the concepts you learn during the session.

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: Circuits with these activities:

Refresher: physical computing

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Reinforce your foundational understanding of physical computing, which is a cornerstone of this course.

Browse courses on Physical Computing

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Review key concepts of physical computing, such as digital signals, I/O devices, and microcontrollers.
Complete a hands-on project using a microcontroller, such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

Design a Paper Circuit

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Foster your creativity and understanding of electrical circuits by designing and creating a unique paper circuit.

Browse courses on Art

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Sketch out your circuit design on paper.
Use conductive tape or paint to create the circuit pathways.
Add battery and LED components to complete the circuit.
Decorate and personalize your paper circuit.

Create a Circuit Board

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Gain hands-on experience with electrical components and circuit design by building your own circuit board.

Browse courses on Electronics

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Gather materials such as a breadboard, wires, resistors, and an LED.
Design a simple circuit schematic.
Assemble the circuit on the breadboard.
Test the circuit and troubleshoot any issues.

Eight other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 11 activities

Circuit-building exercises

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Gain proficiency in circuit building, a fundamental skill for tinkering. Regular practice will enhance your ability to design and debug circuits.

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Solve circuit-building puzzles and challenges.
Build a variety of simple circuits using different components.

Explore Coding with Arduino

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Enhance your understanding of coding principles and their application in electronics by following guided tutorials on Arduino programming.

Browse courses on Arduino

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Install the Arduino software and connect your Arduino board.
Learn basic Arduino commands and syntax.
Complete guided tutorials that demonstrate different functionalities, such as controlling LEDs or sensors.
Experiment with your own code and projects.

Arduino experimentation

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Jumpstart your tinkering journey by building an Arduino-based project. This will provide hands-on experience and deepen your understanding of the course concepts.

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Brainstorm ideas for a simple Arduino project.
Gather the necessary components and materials
Assemble and wire the Arduino circuit
Write and upload the Arduino code
Test and debug your project

Explorations with the Exploratorium Tinkering Studio

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Expand your knowledge of tinkering by exploring the resources of the Exploratorium Tinkering Studio. This will expose you to diverse tinkering activities and inspire new ideas.

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Visit the Exploratorium Tinkering Studio's website
Watch video tutorials on various tinkering projects.
Try out some of the interactive tinkering activities.

Tinkering blog

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Deepen your understanding by explaining tinkering concepts and sharing your experiences. This will help solidify your knowledge and foster a passion for tinkering.

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Choose a specific topic related to tinkering that interests you.
Research and gather information on the topic.
Write a blog post explaining the topic in a clear and engaging way.
Share your blog post with others and encourage discussion.

Meetup: local makerspace visit

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Connect with other tinkerers and learn from their experiences. Attending a meetup at a local makerspace will broaden your perspectives and foster a sense of community.

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Research local makerspaces and find one that aligns with your interests
Attend a meetup or workshop at the makerspace

Volunteer at a community tinkering event

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Give back to the community while honing your tinkering skills. Volunteering at a community event will allow you to share your knowledge, inspire others, and learn from their experiences.

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Find a community tinkering event that aligns with your interests
Contact the organizers and express your interest in volunteering
Participate in the event and contribute your skills and enthusiasm

Workshop: advanced tinkering techniques

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Enhance your tinkering skills by attending a workshop focused on advanced techniques. This will equip you with new tools and methodologies to push the boundaries of your projects.

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Identify a workshop that aligns with your interests and learning goals
Register for the workshop and make necessary preparations

Career center

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

Computer Hardware Drafter

Computer Hardware Drafters create detailed drawings of computer hardware systems. This course may be useful for Computer Hardware Drafters as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of computer hardware systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Computer Hardware Drafters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Drafter

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of electrical systems in a wide variety of industries. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineers as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electrical systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electrical Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of robotic systems. This course may be useful for Robotics Engineers as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of robotic systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Robotics Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of mechatronic systems, which are systems that combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. This course may be useful for Mechatronics Engineers as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of mechatronic systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Mechatronics Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of computer hardware systems. This course may be useful for Computer Hardware Engineers as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of computer hardware systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Computer Hardware Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Electronics Engineer

Electronics Engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the installation of electronic systems in a wide variety of industries. This course may be useful for Electronics Engineers as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electronic systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electronics Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineer

Electrical Technician

Electrical Technicians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in a wide variety of industries. This course may be useful for Electrical Technicians as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electrical systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electrical Technicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Technician

Electrical Drafter

Electrical Drafters create detailed drawings of electrical systems, including schematics, layout drawings, and wiring diagrams. This course may be useful for Electrical Drafters as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electrical systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electrical Drafters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Drafter

Electronics Technician

Electronics Technicians install, maintain, and repair electronic systems in a wide variety of industries. This course may be useful for Electronics Technicians as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electronic systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electronics Technicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Technician

Electronics Drafter

Electronics Drafters create detailed drawings of electronic systems, including schematics, layout drawings, and wiring diagrams. This course may be useful for Electronics Drafters as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electronic systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electronics Drafters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Drafter

Computer Hardware Technician

Computer Hardware Technicians install, maintain, and repair computer hardware systems. This course may be useful for Computer Hardware Technicians as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of computer hardware systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Computer Hardware Technicians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Technician

Electrical Engineering Technologist

Electrical Engineering Technologists apply electrical engineering theory to the design, development, testing, and installation of electrical systems. This course may be useful for Electrical Engineering Technologists as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electrical systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electrical Engineering Technologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineering Technologist

Electronics Engineering Technologist

Electronics Engineering Technologists apply electronics engineering theory to the design, development, testing, and installation of electronic systems. This course may be useful for Electronics Engineering Technologists as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of electronic systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Electronics Engineering Technologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineering Technologist

Computer Hardware Engineering Technologist

Computer Hardware Engineering Technologists apply computer hardware engineering theory to the design, development, testing, and installation of computer hardware systems. This course may be useful for Computer Hardware Engineering Technologists as it provides hands-on experience with circuits, which are a fundamental component of computer hardware systems. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Computer Hardware Engineering Technologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineering Technologist

Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science concepts to students in elementary, middle, and high schools. This course may be useful for Science Teachers as it provides a hands-on approach to teaching science concepts, particularly in the area of circuits. The course also covers topics such as electrical components, circuit design, and troubleshooting, which are all essential knowledge for Science Teachers who want to teach students about circuits.

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