Tinkering Stations

Research indicates that boys are more likely than girls to tinker - which helps them develop skills in areas that promote success in STEM fields: spatial awareness, mechanical reasoning, invention, and experimentation. At Laurel we wanted to "level the playing field" by finding a way to promote tinkering among our girls.

Tinkering requires some intellectual risk-taking, a willingness to manipulate situations, objects, and materials to arrive at an original outcome.  It requires valuing process above outcome.  Finally, tinkering involves observation and experimentation in order to generate new ideas and solutions.

Fifth grader Abby G. is excited to try out the new Tinkering station the first day it opens

In order to promote tinkering at Laurel School, The Center for Research on Grirls (CRG) at Laurel School developed an entirely new concept: "tinkering stations." At these specially-designed and research-based stations, girls try their hands at a series of tinkering challenges throughout the school year. 

Each challenge strengthens the girls' collective inclination to explore and invent, and encourages them to take a step without knowing what comes next.

Lilly O. and Victoria M. are all smiles as they

think of what they can make with the sticks and

wire provided
 

 
Materials for one of the first tinkering challenges: "Make the tallest free-standing structure you can!"