At just $1 a student, the Community Science Workshop Network has been making hands-on electronics lessons a reality by bringing concepts back to basics. The non-profit organization, which has been operating since 1991, helps students create their own modular electronics using wood, nails, and parts scrounged from discarded electronics in addition to numerous other activities.
“It has a pedagogical value when it shows kids that they can learn science with everyday things, you don’t have to have special equipment or a fancy machine,” explained Emily Green, CSWN Network Coordinator. All of the organization’s classes are free at their five California locations and they even offer free teacher training. By keeping costs low, they aim to allow other organizations to repeat their success (they currently have three additional affiliated sites) as well as serve kids in underprivileged areas.
Check out our video interview with Green above to see a few sweet projects you can make with straws and find out why teaching taxidermy may be inevitable when you give kids their own space.
