Tinker and create with this kit full of activities that explore many concepts such as balance, circuits, and magnetism! This kit is suited for a wide range of learners.
This kit includes:
Activity Binder
- Librarian Introduction
- Inventory List
- Booklist/Introduction
- Letter to Librarian
- Cardboard Building
- Cardboard Circuits
- Kinetic Sculptures
- Graphite Circuits
- Magnetic Towers
- Background Information
- Consumable and Restocking List
- Questions to Support Learning
- Science Process Skills
- CREATE Acronym
- Making Deeper Learners: A Tinkering Learning Dimensions Framework v 2.0
- Balance Supplement
- Art History: The Evolution of Hypnotic Kinetic Sculptures
- Magnets Supplement
- Magic of Magnetism
- How do magnets work?
- Magnetism Basics
- What is a circuit?
- What is an electrical current?
- Series Circuits
- Parallel Circuits
- Noun and adjective descriptors (for Cardboard Building activity; please make copies!)
- Parent surveys
- Laminated activity sheets
Books
- Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
- I Have an Idea! By Herve Tullet
- Magnets Push, Magnets Pull by David A. Adler and Anna Raff
- Magnet Max by Monica Lozano Hughes and Holly Weinstein
- Oscar and the Bird: A Book About Electricity by Geoff Waring
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
- Rosie Pioneara, Ingenieria by Andrea Beaty
- Sandy’s Circus: A Story About Alexander Calder by Tanya Lee Stone and Boris Kulikov
- The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond by Patrick Dillon
- The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale by Steven Guarnaccia
Cardboard Building
- Various cardboard cutouts
- Laminated noun descriptor cards
- Laminated adjective descriptor cards
- Container of powdered graphite
Cardboard Circuits
- Alligator clips
- Wires with magnets
- Mini generator
- Various cardboard-mounted circuit components
Kinetic Sculptures
- Balancing stands
- Set of Tinkertoys
- Red Tinkertoy pieces with nuts and bolts
Graphite Circuits
- Squeeze bottles of graphite paint
- Small cardboard squares
- Clear tape dispensers
- Funnel
- Measuring Cup
- Paintbrushes
Magnetic Towers
- Magnetic rods
- Containers of hex nuts
- Small metallic bases
- Large metallic base
- Metal pull chains at different lengths
Other Activity Items
- Digital Multimeter
- Compartment box with various electrical components
To Be Provided by Borrowing Library*
- Aluminum foil
- Brass fasteners
- Binder clips
- Cardboard of various sizes
- Paper clips
- 2oz portion cups
- White glue
- Clear tape
- Batteries (AAA, 9-volt, CR2032)
*Some of these materials are provided in the kit but may be recommended to purchase as they will not be restocked by NMSL in the future.
Please see the attached user manual for larger images, manuals, and inventory.
Each trunk contains an activity binder as well as activity materials. Some materials will be up to you to provide but most of the materials have been included; please read through the activity binder and user guide to determine which materials you’ll need to provide.
Also included in the activity binder is a complete inventory of the activity trunk.
Please verify inventory is correct when you return the trunk and sign and date the inventory. If any materials are missing, please notify us as soon as possible, and make note of it on the inventory.
There are also parent/caregiver surveys we would like you to provide after each program using the trunk. Please make additional copies as needed.
Your completed inventory and any completed surveys should be placed inside the trunk and returned with the trunk to the New Mexico State Library.