Maker Class : Inventors Lab

Take a trip back in time to explore a world without technology. How different was life without the simple machines we take for granted like the wheel-and-axel and the screw? In Inventor’s Lab I: Simple Machines, kids learn the history and mechanics of the six simple machines (inclined plane, wedge, lever, wheel-and-axle, screw, pulley). Through tinkering and material exploration, kids will learn the creative and real-life application of the simple machines, opening up endless opportunities for inventive thinking and building. Past classes have constructed bike generators, paper airplane ballistas, mini vending machines and arcade games among many other creative projects.

Audience: Grades 4+

Equipment: Tape, Scissors, Recyclables (Cardboard, plastic containers, plastic bottles, paper rolls, string…. anything clean you can find in the recycle bin!) Not necessary, but optional: hot glue gun and glue sticks, popsicle sticks, chopsticks.

Download: Inventors lab – elevator

Upcoming Session

KIDS TrackWhen: April 30, 4PM EDT (9PM BST) Duration: 30 minutes

About the Instructor

Monika Wuhrer

Monika Wuhrer is the founder and executive director of Open Source Gallery and KoKo NYC. Originally from Austria, she received her MFA in sculpture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Monika founded Open Source Gallery and its education wing in 2007. She is the mother of 3 boys and realized that education in New York City is missing programs that encourage kids to play, explore and build without the standard supervision parents and other programs provide, but by letting kids assess their own risk, while still being supervised and kept safe. Monika has exhibited in the US, Norway, Austria, Italy, Thailand, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Japan.

Past Session

Date: April 9, 2020

Live Feedback for Instructor

Monika Wuhrer

Academy Instructor

47

TOTAL FEEDBACK

2.87

EXPECTATION

FEEDBACK DISTRIBUTION

FAR EXCEEDS: 15

EXCEEDS: 16

MEETS: 11

BELOW: 5

3

we have fun inventing and my son loves sharing and seeing what all the other kids build

2020-08-20    Bitbots In Space Summer Camp

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1

No slides for August classes?

2020-08-20    Bitbots In Space Summer Camp

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2

Great class

2020-08-11    Inventors Lab Summer Camp

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4

That class was really fun! Amazing! My 6 year old is normally creative and does not like being told a specific formula how to make something so this was perfect for her. The teacher was friendly and easy to understand. The slide show to download before the class was helpful to get excite meant and ideas going as well as establish what we might have around the house to contribute. SH even let the class go over because the kids were enjoying themselves!

2020-08-06    Bitbots In Space Summer Camp

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2

A little disappointing. I know there are a lot of kids in the class, but my child held his hand up for probably 20 min to show what he made and was ignored. He is only 5 and was very upset. Perhaps the instructor needs to have a better way of addressing this as it is especially hurtful to little once. May be instead of pick and chose kids at the end go through each project and place spot light on that person.

2020-08-06    Bitbots In Space Summer Camp

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4

My kids love going to your inventors lab class every week, thanks!

2020-07-17    Maker Class (K-3)

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4

My daughter is very artistic she loves to do arts and craft so this class helps her have fun and learn

2020-06-27    Maker Class (4+)

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1

No instruction given. I get that the intent is to generate creativity but some inspiration images would be helpful. It’s a bit much to expect a child to build a windmill without some reference point to start from.

2020-06-26    Maker Class (4+)

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3

My son’s creativity has improved with this class. Love it.

2020-06-22    Maker Class (4+)

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4

Great Class!

2020-06-04    Maker Class (4+)

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3

Good class. Son really enjoys it.

2020-05-28    Maker Class (4+)

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3

This is my child’s favorite class! Monika does a great job guiding the participants without telling them what to invent.

2020-05-28    Maker Class (4+)

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4

Super creative class. It is nice to see how all the kiddos are participating. Thanks!

2020-05-28    Maker Class (K-3)

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3

Love it

2020-05-26    Maker Class (4+)

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3

My daughter loves this class! She has attended a few times now and finally got the courage to share her invention with the group. She was thrilled. Monika offers encouragement and positive feedback. The class is structured perfectly for this age group. Monika gives a prompt and lets them get to work-independence and creativity. Highly recommend!

2020-05-22    Maker Class (4+)

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3

My daughter (5 year old) loves this class and spends another 30 minutes after coming up with her own creations. Encourages innovation and very engaging.

2020-05-21    Maker Class (K-3)

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1

Not at all worthy to spend time. Completely unstructured. Tutor not able to spend to answer questions on project that they are doing, but wasting time on all other stuff.

2020-05-21    Maker Class (4+)

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3

The project was lots of fun! Monika gave great feedback to the class.

2020-05-21    Maker Class (4+)

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2

Class was a bit unstructured and lecture was a tad dry. My little ones liked the making part and seeing the other kids. But we prob won’t be signing up for more. It was a fun experience to get them into trying something new.

2020-05-15    Maker Class (4+)

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4

My son is challenged by this class.

2020-05-15    Maker Class (4+)

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3

The project was cool and creative. I like the fact that the children can interact and ask questions. The instructor is helpful and nice.

2020-05-14    Maker Class (4+)

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2

Isla is tired of hearing about covid-19 related topics so was a bit turned off by the activity. Otherwise seemed well structured from what I saw.

2020-05-14    Maker Class (4+)

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4

Was a great class my 5 & 9yr old attended together. Was really fun for them to learn about space some and create together from recyclables.

2020-05-14    Maker Class (4+)

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3

Fun but disappointed he wasn’t called in.

2020-05-14    Maker Class (4+)

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4

My daughter loved this class. She was so happy with her creation and wants to do this class again. Thanks!!!!!!!

2020-05-14    Maker Class (4+)

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2

I feel this class was probably worthy of a 2.5. My son (5 - in UK year 1 so K equivalent) was a bit dubious at the start but actually really enjoyed it and was proud of the space rocket he made. It was great to keep him entertained while his sister did a dance class. But he was really disappointed that he couldn’t show and tell at the end - too many kids to get through so that wasn’t the instructors fault but tricky to explain to a 5 year old!!

2020-05-08    Maker Class (K-3)

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2

My LO was having a ball making her fox to go into space :). Monika has a lovely easy manner and the session was a lovely creative wind down to the day, thank you!

2020-05-07    Maker Class (K-3)

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3

My son like it a lot we do a second one good job

2020-05-07   

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4

My daughter loved the class and looks forward to next.

2020-05-07    Maker Class (K-3)

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3

2nd time attending. He really enjoyed the class. This will be our weekend project as well! Definitely come back next week.

2020-04-30    Maker Class (4+)

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