Our creative juices start to flow at:
To kick off our study of inventions, the Navigators and the Spirits took the short trip around Commencement Bay to the unique and trendy downtown Tacoma district. Our first stop was Tinkertopia, "a destination for teachers, students, artists, crafters, inventors, makers, hackers and tinkerers (of any age) in search of unusual materials for any creative venture." That's us!!
First we get a bag.
Then we go shopping.
A builder's heaven!
Bins and bins of good stuff to choose from
Hmmmm...what could I make of this?
So much to look at
They even have wire!
Our bags are full of treasures.
We're ready to face the rain and trek on up the UW Tacoma's steps to FabLab!
"Do you need help with a product idea or invention?
Visit FabLab Studio...."
We are introduced to the 3D printer and the amazing things it can do.
It can make 37 layer frogs,
little statues,
a wrench that was printed out in space for use on the International Space Station,
and working guitar parts.
This is a ball within a ball within a ball.
We also learned about 3D printed prosthetic hands
that cost $45 instead of much, much more
and the world's first 3D-printed apartment building in China.
Thank you, Tinkertopia and FabLab, for inspiring some future innovators and inventors.
We're so excited to get tinkering!
We went back home with our treasures and started to dream and plan.
A design for a new kind of fishing boat
Plans for a comfortable bed in the sun
complete with drink holders and book shelves.
Sign me up!
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