Managing a Gaggle of Tinkerers

 

Having a lot of kids in the room can be a juggling act for a facilitator, but gives better opportunities for the kids to develop their own abilities. What we do at reDiscover is not to make things for kids, but to enable them to make their own projects, and to give them the agency so they can do the whole process of making something when they leave our workshop. If we do too much for them, we rob them of that educational opportunity. That said, it can be challenging to help many kids work independently at the same time. Here are some techniques.

 

  • Enforce the drawing of diagrams and building plans before tinkerers begin to build. If kids want to survey materials to get ideas, let them take a look and even grab things if they want, but make sure they sit down after and do a detailed drawing of what they want to make. Their plan can change, but there should be one to begin with. If they make significant changes, their diagrams should be updated.

  • Diagrams consist of:

    • At least 2 drawings from different POVs

    • Measurements (tinkerers can grab a tape measure and estimate the size they want)

    • Labeling of different parts and materials to be used. If it’s a group project, they should label who will be working on which part, and in which order

    • Before they begin, make sure that they have a clear idea of the parts that they need to work on, so they can work on their own

  • Keep tinkerers’ diagrams visible so you can remind yourself of the details of their projects. The notes are for you too. If they save their project on the front shelves for another day, have them write their name and date on their diagram to attach to their project and save their plans.

  • When working with one tinkerer, place yourself in a position where you can see others working in the room as well. If someone at another table is getting off track, call out to them to ask what they’re working on or how it’s going to help redirect them.

  • Don’t let the tinkerers trick you into making their project. Be firm. They can usually do everything. If it’s something that’s challenging, they should work toward finding a solution so they can do it on their own (using tools or jigs). Sometimes they will ask you to finish a handsaw cut. Unless you’re trying to help them reach a stopping point at the end of the day, encourage them to keep at it. Don’t be afraid to say “No, this is your project, not mine. It’s for you to make.” Your job is to empower them to make things; the process is the goal, not the end product. If it isn’t perfect, if it takes them time to accomplish, it can be tough, but is ultimately beneficial for them.

  • When you need to show a new tool or material location to one tinkerer, ask the whole room who doesn’t know it and have them take a break from building and learn it at the same time. You can give all of your tinkerers a tour of the warehouse at the same time, so you can have them grab most materials on their own. If you have a repeat tinkerer who knows the space and materials well and a new tinkerer doesn’t know where something is, ask the repeat tinkerer to show the new person where they can find it.

  • Teach creative clamping and encourage tinkerers to try their own solutions once they’re familiar with the concept.

  • Sometimes tinkerers will need help holding something. The ideal is to let them struggle with it until they ask for help. Sometimes they will be stubborn and start getting more and more frustrated; this is the time to offer to help with holding or making sure they know what they’re doing.

  • Multitasking is your friend. If a tinkerer needs to measure and cut several parts, encourage them to find all of the pieces they need and measure/mark them before coming to you to use the chop saw or jig saw. This will save their time and your sanity.

  • If you are the only facilitator working, limit building to the front room, and make sure you are in the room any time tools are being used. If this means that kids have to use hand saws rather than the chop saw because you don’t have time to go with them to the back, so be it. Tinkerers who want to use the belt sander can do hand sanding or clamp up their project and use the orbital sander in the front room. If you absolutely have to leave the room, ask tinkerers to work on something other than tinkering tools until you get back (diagramming, acquiring materials, measuring, hot glue, etc).

  • If two or more tinkerers need your active help at the same time, ask one to work on another part of the project until you’re available, or tell them to think of another way that they can do it on their own until you can join them.

  • Rather than giving instructions or suggestions of what to do, ask guiding questions and as soon as they have the idea of what to do next, back off and move to the next tinkerer. You want questions that will enable tinkerers to work on their own, which is our ultimate goal, such as:

    • “Great, what’s next?”

    • If they’re distracted, ask, “What are you working on right now?”

    • “What else do we need for this?” (materials, tools, etc)

    • “Where’s your diagram? Let’s look at what else needs to be done.”

    • “I want you to try this out for a while. I bet that you can come up with a solution.”

    • “I think *other tinkerer* has been working on this same thing, maybe they have some ideas.”