New Tinkering Program Takes STEM Education on the Road

Daily Dose  |  10/06/2021 3:00 pm

Imagination Station is taking one of its most popular experiences out of the building and into the community. 

Toledo Tinkers: Through a Child’s Eyes supports the development of an outreach curriculum delivered using a mobile tinkering lab that will help kids ages 11-13 and their families establish personal connections with making and tinkering. Through activities like sphero robots, linkages, rigamajigs and more, students will learn skill-building, innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, with expert guidance from Toledo’s Science Center.

“Making and tinkering are powerful tools for engaging children and families with STEM education,” Sloan Eberly Mann, education director at Imagination Station said. “This type of learning has been proven to uniquely position individuals to be competitive in an increasingly technological economy.”

Additionally, Toledo Tinkers strengthens partnerships with organizations serving children in the community and deepens the science center’s capacity to serve individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Imagination Station believes that every child should have access to informal STEM education and is working with the Boys and Girls Club of Toledo, Adelante, Water for Ishmael, Northwest State Community College, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and the University of Toledo to reach as many students as possible. 

“This program goes beyond traditional, informal STEM education by striving to increase interest and capacity through learning opportunities that encourage children to not only consider how STEM relates to their lives but also how they can use STEM to improve their communities,” Dr. Karie Peralta, Associate Professor of Sociology at The University of Toledo said. “We hope that participants will feel empowered by experiencing how they can solve real-world problems by applying their STEM skills and knowledge.”

Please join as they unveil our new tinkering van and hear from,

Lori Hauser, Executive Director, Imagination Station

Sloan Eberly Mann, Education Director, Imagination Station

Dr. Karie Peralta, Associate Professor of Sociology, the University of Toledo 

WHAT: Imagination Station Tinkering Van Unveiling

WHEN: Friday, October 8 | 11am

WHERE: Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way, Toledo, Ohio 43604

Beginning Saturday, October 9, the Imagination Station Tinkering van will host Tinkering Takeovers at various Toledo-Lucas County public library locations in partnership with Northwest State Community College. Please see flyer for additional information.

This project was made possible thanks to a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS).

IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Imagination Station provides a critical layer of science enrichment by serving as an educational partner for teachers, schools and parents. It’s with a thoughtful blend of exhibits, experiences, education and excitement that Imagination Station inspires visitors to pursue STEM careers in Northwest Ohio.