TSO-B Day 1-2: Launching Ideas Into Orbit

Tinkerers arrived at UC Elkus Sunday to commence a week of wild ideas, collaboration, and building during the Tinkering School Overnight (TSO) camp. Little did they know that when they embarked on their journey, they would also embark on a Mission to Mars.

Ella, Ronan, Kandan, Zoltan, Reid and Torres discuss various Mars Factory design concepts.

Veteran Tinkerer, Jacob, said the TSO experience is special because “[He likes] to just build, be able to collaborate with people who are interested in the same things that I am.”

For first timers like Kai, the choice to come to TSO was a second attempt to get involved with the challenging projects like the ones he saw online.

“I tried to get in last year but couldn’t get in,” Kai said. “It sounded interesting, really cool.”

The project theme was revealed Sunday night, allowing everyone to sleep on possible ideas. Monday morning rolled around, and Tinkerers headed out to their build sites to commence planning for a space launch mission to Mars. The group pondered questions like, “How do we train astronauts to live in space?” “What will we need on Mars?”

Mia works with collaborator, Kevin, to brainstorm a pulley and bungee cord setup while Aaliyah walks by.

The juniors decided to build a Mars Factory, a rover, and a spaceship while the seniors developed plans that defy one’s sense of normal gravity. Plans are in motion for a Merry-go-round, trampoline suspension mechanism, and a gyroscope.

Zoltan’s biggest concern about the mission to Mars was potable water while his teammate, Kandan, commented that Zoltan’s idea sounded like a non-profit.

“We’re not trying to make money. We’re trying to stay alive,” Zoltan responded. It’s simple but essential for survival.

Akash, collaborator, P.K., Hunter, River, Tanna, Lev and Langley work on the body of their space ship.

Meanwhile, the gyroscope team chose to name their build Napoleon III. “We’re calling it Napoleon III because it’s the size of Napoleon, the tallest of all of us,” Siana, a senior, said.

The group had a productive day in which they transitioned from concepts on whiteboards to full scale projects. With their ideas as vast as the extraterrestrial heavens, the Mission to Mars seems plausible.