Harry Potter - Day 2 - Week 5 - Mark Day School
We could feel the excitement in the air today even before camp started. Everyone just wanted to get building! Before we could build bigger than ourselves though, we needed to talk about carrying wood safely in a bustling construction zone. Once that discussion was had, tinkerers either went full steam ahead on The Hogwarts Express, or dove headlong into the Chamber of Secrets.
Each day brings an opportunity to use the tools we learned about during Monday's tool training and to use new tools as well. Today's tools included a jig saw - great for cutting straight and curved lines in plywood - and a Sawzall - useful for cutting wood that is already connected to a frame and can't easily be moved onto sawhorses.
The heat made it easy to meet one of our goals, which is to try harder than usual... we used a break after lunch to cool off and reflect on what tinkering is and why we do it. It was an informative time, and many of the thoughts captured during that time highlighted the reason we do this work.
Check out even more photos from today and the whole week on our Flickr page.
The base of the train is taking shape.
Using the Sawzall to trim part of the train base.
The basilisk body has several segments. Small groups are working together to build each one.
It takes several steps to be ready to use the jigsaw: measure and draw lines, clamp wood to sawhorse, put on ear protection and goggles, "is everybody ready?" safety call, and then it's time to cut.
Assembly square + clamp + a partner to hold the wood = successful drilling.
Individual student response to "What is tinkering?" and "Why do we tinker?"
Our group summary
Sometimes a "partner push" is just what's needed to add enough pressure to the drill.
Individual student response to "What is tinkering?" and "Why do we tinker?"
Our group summary
Click through the slideshow below for more photos.
