Tinker Camp FAQ

1. What is Tinker Camp's approach to preparing kids for the future?

Tinker Camp believes in a hands-on, narrative-driven approach to learning that emphasizes essential mindsets like courage, tenacity, and creativity. By providing children with real tools and materials, and engaging them in imaginative scenarios, Tinker Camp empowers them to become resourceful problem solvers prepared for a future driven by technology and innovation. This approach encourages exploration, experimentation, and learning from mistakes in a supportive environment.

2. What is the role of courage at Tinker Camp?

Courage is central to the Tinker Camp philosophy. It's about fostering the willingness to try, fail, and try again without fear of judgment. Tinker Camp reframes failure as a natural part of learning, encouraging children to experiment and innovate. This approach helps children develop the confidence to take risks and push their creative boundaries.

3. How does Tinker Camp use narratives in its programs?

Tinker Camp utilizes narratives to create engaging, immersive learning experiences. Imagine a scenario where the world has ended and the children need to build a spaceship to save humanity. This narrative context transforms simple cardboard and plastic into essential components for survival, motivating children to think creatively and collaborate to solve problems.

4. What is the difference between “tinkering” and “making”?

Tinkering emphasizes the process of exploration and discovery, driven by curiosity. It’s about taking things apart, figuring out how they work, and experimenting with different approaches. Making, while also involving hands-on creation, often focuses on producing a specific product or outcome.

5. Why does Tinker Camp emphasize STEM instead of STEAM?

While Tinker Camp values the arts, it uses the STEM acronym for clarity and to emphasize the importance of integrating art into all aspects of STEM learning. They believe that art is fundamental to the human experience and drives creativity in scientific and technical endeavors. This approach ensures that creativity is not seen as separate from STEM but as an integral part of it.

6. Why is the learning environment so important at Tinker Camp?

Tinker Camp emphasizes the importance of a dedicated space that inspires creativity and hands-on learning. Just as a church or library evokes a specific atmosphere, a dedicated space filled with tools, materials, and works in progress ignites a passion for exploration and encourages children to tinker and experiment freely.

7. How does Tinker Camp encourage tenacity in its programs?

Tinker Camp recognizes that children, especially tinkerers, can be easily distracted by new challenges. To foster tenacity, they introduce context and goals to projects. For example, a simple activity like building a jiggle-bot becomes much more engaging when transformed into a sumo wrestling competition. This context motivates children to see projects through to completion and learn valuable problem-solving skills along the way.

8. How can parents support their children's experience at Tinker Camp?

Parents can support their children by encouraging risk-taking and embracing mistakes as opportunities for learning. Allowing children the freedom to experiment and problem-solve independently, even if it means a slightly wonky final product, builds confidence and fosters a love for learning.