Earlier this year a neat project on Kickstarter caught my eye: “SparkLab: the educational build-mobile!” A couple of design students from the d.school at Stanford University in California had the insight to combine the idea of a mobile food truck with the hacking/DIY/making movement. Their goal was to create a mobile workshop to bring all the tools and equipment needed for hands-on, project-based learning to schools where no such support existed. I pledged my support and was excited to think I might get my name on a converted bread truck in California [I did!].
Tools and safety equipment inside the SparkTruck during MakerFaire.
Fast forward to Maker Faire Bay Area 2012: the SparkLab vehicle (now branded “SparkTruck“) exists! It was full of tools, safety equipment, and enthusiasm. The d.school students had gotten such a great response from their Kickstarter campaign that they decided to take a road trip across the US this summer, visiting summer camps and hosting classes at schools along the way!
The SparkTruck team is getting ready to make their first stop in Aspen, Colorado, this week. After that, it could come to you! (Having some cash to help pay for gas or the promise of a free pizza will help entice them. They are college students.) The team has a few stops already lined up, but they are still open to adding more workshops in additional cities.
If you’re afraid the kids might get bored this summer and the closest hackerspace is too far away, grab a few other parents and invite the SparkTruck to come by! Even if a niece or nephew are setting off to camp, let the camp know they can schedule a visit too.
Although many of us are comfortable teaching kids how to use a laser cutter, there are plenty of people that would prefer to let some experts handle it. Send them to SparkTruck.org to learn more.
