It's a place that's sure to inspire
the next generation of inventors and
innovators.
Lilyan corrected me when I
referred to the material she was using
as trash, saying "it's not trash, it's
recycling."
Eight-year-old Quinn P. of
Bentonville also added to the
sculpture. He visits the Amazeum
every weekend and told me he finds
something new to see and do every
time he's there.
"I never get
bored here," he
said.
Thinking—
while tinkering—
about ways to
recycle and reuse
items was part of
the learning that was
happening that day at
the Hub.
Ray Weatherford,
who has been working
at the Amazeum
for two years, said
it's rewarding being
able to share all things
STEAM with kids at the
3M Tinkering Hub. Ray's dad is an
engineer who taught him how to use
tools and let him help out at lot. Now,
he passes his love of making things to
future generations.
"It's a lot of fun to teach kids
how to work with their hands," he
said. "We're making new activities all
the time. We recently did weaving.
We've done circuits."
Ray loves seeing kids learning
when they are tinkering.
"Anytime
I see a kid
with that aha
moment like
'I made this
thing' or
'I learned
something
brand new
and I didn't think it would
work like this,' it's super cool," he
explained.
4H teen leaders Shannon and
Jacob were helping out the younger
kids with the project that day. For
them, this was just one of the many
experiences they get to have in 4H.
Shannon, who is 14, told me the
opportunities in 4H are "amazing,"
from being a role model for younger
kids, to learning how to conduct
yourself in interviews and talk to
adults. Jacob, 17, who has been in 4H
for 10 years agreed, and said 4H has
also helped increase his leadership and
public speaking skills.
"Some people think 4H is just
for younger kids but as you get older
there are more opportunities," he
said. "It has instilled a strong work
ethic in me."
Both Jacob and Shannon said
that 4H has taught them the value of
volunteering and community service.
"4H helps you know what you
are capable of," Jacob added.
At the Amazeum that day, kids
learned they were capable of creating
something awesome with things other
people might just throw away.
Seven-year-old Kate M. transforms a
plastic container with paint.
Ray demonstrates a Tinkering Hub learning "toy."
Off icialKidsMag.com • FEBRUARY 2019 • 9
