在華盛頓地區的孩子們對他們設計建造的東西興奮異常。
他們正在參與一個親身實踐的學習創作室,這是由斯坦福大學學生們創建的SparkTruck提供。
去年,在推出了被他們稱為構建教育的移動站之後進行為期兩個月的全國旅行,為沿途的近3000兒童提供創作室。
現在是他們的第2個年頭,其他三所加州大學的學生們也加入其中。
“我們正試圖把創造力和設計創作室展現給孩子們,並賦予他們原型工具及材料,設計學院藝術中心的本格·克羅達說道:
“並向他們展示,所有這些東西即使在他們的學校找不到也是隨手可得。”
孩子們開始頭腦風暴。
然後他們建造一個他們無論夢想出什麼的原型。
“我造了一個飛行獨眼巨人,只有一隻眼睛哦,”創作室參與者之一的歐文·惠特曼說道。
“製作新東西及學習電力如何運作帶給我很多樂趣。”
“我們不是完美的,因為我們並不都是設計師。並不都是工程師,” 本格·克羅達說道。
“但是我們試圖將我們感到重要的作為課程的一部分,它就是創造性思維及不要害怕犯錯誤。”
孩子控制樂高機器人。
他們也可以嘗試高科技工具,包括一台鐳射切割機及3D印表機,以及傳統的購物工具。
“這非常漂亮,而且我甚至從未瞭解過其中的工作原理,”參加創作室的法迪萊特·阿德福拉·拉吉說道。
“這裡非常酷,這也是一台很酷的機器。”
便利貼鋪滿了卡車的整個天花板,記錄著每一位元創作室參與者的設計。
微觀裝配實驗室的所有者菲利斯·克萊恩主辦華盛頓創作室。
“我想所做的是激發他們的想像力,”克萊恩說道。
“這為他們做想做的事情提供了平臺。
顯示了什麼是可能。”
而SparkTruck團隊分享他們親身實踐學習激情的同時也從中獲益。
“我已經學會了如何與孩子們打交道,”斯坦福大學的布列塔尼·哈威爾說道。
“我見過很多想要放棄孩子最終做出一些東西,這真的鼓舞我。”
SparkTruck部分一直是由Kickstarter資助，這是一家為創意項目及企業捐款籌集資金的網站。
雖然兩個月的路途非常具有挑戰性,但志願者希望在未來與額外的創作室分享這段旅程。
Children in a Washington neighborhood are excited about building things they designed.
They are participating in a hands-on learning workshop offered by SparkTruck, created by students from Stanford University.
Last year, they launched what they call an educational build-mobile and took it on a two-month trip across the country, offering workshops to nearly 3,000 children along the way.
Now, in their second year, they were joined by students from three other California colleges.
“We are trying to bring creativity and design workshops to kids all over, and bring them prototype tools and materials," said Bengi Kuroda from the Art Center College of Design,
"and show them that all these things are accessible to them even if they don't have them at school.”
The children start by brainstorming ideas.
Then they build a prototype of whatever they've dreamed up.
“I made a flying cyclops, just one eye," said Owen Whitman, a workshop participant.
"I had a lot of fun making new stuff and learning...how electricity works.”
“We are not perfect as we are not all designers. We are not all engineers," Kuroda said.
"But we try to bring in what we feel is important as part of a curriculum, which is thinking creatively and not being afraid of making mistakes.”
Children get to control LEGO robots.
They can also try out high-tech tools including a laser cutter and a 3D printer, as well as traditional shop tools.
“It is very nice, and I never even knew about like how the things vibrate," said Fadilat Adefola Raji, who participated in the workshop.
"And it was very cool being in here, and this is also a cool machine.”
Post-it notes cover the entire ceiling of the truck, documenting every design made by workshop participants.
Phyllis Klein, owner of Fab Lab DC, hosted the Washington workshop.
“I think what it does is sparks their imagination," Klein said.
"It gives them a window into things they can do.
It shows them what is possible."
While the SparkTruck team shares their passion for hands-on learning, they are also benefitting.
“I have learned about how to work with children," said Brittany Hallawell of Stanford University.
"I have seen a lot of kids that were about to give up and ended up making something, which is just truly inspiring for me.”
SparkTruck has been partly funded by Kickstarter, a website that raises money for creative projects, and corporate donations.
Although being on the road for two months can be challenging, the volunteers hope to share the road with additional SparkTrucks in the future.
