Day Two - Rolling Body Suits

On day 2 we wake up early. Struggling to sit calmly in bed as the excitement of a new place keeps everyone's energy levels high. With a younger group we are moving bed time up a bit, and having breakfast a little earlier than usual. After some turkey sausage, eggs and english muffins, we head down to the barn. The first hour of the day is a mix of finishing up our chairs and doing some open build.

Nick gets on his protective gear as he prepares to help some campers on the chop saw.

Megan and Kevin work on Megan's chair.

Yoel goes digging through our wheel collection.

Rory is working on various way to prop wood so she can work independently

Megan, Joey, Gretchen and Ana opted to make a 4 person bench instead of individual chairs.

Then we gather around to announce the teams and the project. Piki, Kablooi, Nooi and Panda teams are announced and every one sits with their group around the central table. Josh attempt's to build tension before the big reveal.

Instead of giving the idea a name right away. A picture is shown. "We are going to build this."

"Imagine it. A rolling body suit. You could just walk around until you find a nice hill, lay down and cruise."

Imaginations light up, pens hit paper and each team is off.

Wheels are dolled out, wood limitations are explained, and the prototyping begins. Everyone quickly agrees that strap/webbing would be way more effective than rope so a hardware store run is done and each team is given 20 feet of strap.

Ideas come in and out of our heads while we look for one that will have traction. Cameron plays with different casters.

Jonah makes a precision cut.

Yoel and Nick work on torso measurements for their chest piece.

Rory explores their first rough draft of chest piece.

After lunch Kathi (not Kathy, not Kathie, but Kathi) the science teacher on staff at Elkus Ranch gives us the animal tour. She explains how to treat each animal, who we are allowed to hang out with and pet. What animals eat what food.

Kathi takes a moment to show us what happens to your teeth if you don't brush.

Megan makes a connection with the goats.

Nick makes a connection with the chickens.

Joey embracing a new friend.

Gretchen works on her team's arm mounts.

Bryn Models as the first chest piece takes shape.

Joey and Greta hack saw through some threaded rod.

Then they take a break.

Our first prototype takes shape. As with all prototypes, it has some flaws. [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/72243057 w=500&h=281]

D7K 8612 from Tinkering School on Vimeo.

Even a rough start feels like success when you own every step of the process.

Ana shows off another team's prototype.

This tying-things-on is catching on. I am curious if refinement with make it work, or if it will, out of neceessity, be left behind.

Bryn puts some final details in as the day wraps up.

Jonah tests another group's chest piece.

In just 3 meals, a tradition forms. "Josh! whats our mind blowing discussion for this meal?" asks Nick. Gever started, and Josh and the collaborators continue a tradition of heady philosophy and mathematical anomalies. Yesterday we tried to wrap our head around the idea that different infinities can be bigger or smaller than other infinities. We also debated when something made by humans goes from "natural" to "unnatural" (a very unsettled debate) and which Pokemon was the best. Today it was a long fable about an old boat that led to a discussion about where identity comes from. Some of these conversation stick, many don't, but they all engage in the moment and add to a culture and atmosphere where thinking is cool, debate is welcome, and the answers are not nearly as important as the process.

Afterwards, some kids head down to the barn with Nick (the junior collaborator) for some more open build time. Some head to the tire swings with Oren to wind down. Some stay here and play board games.

Then everyone heads to bed.