Chain Reactions and Creative Contraptions!
Jay is an experienced online workshop leader. He inspires kids to create their own contraptions, from their own stuff, learning through hands-on play. Jay offers both in-person and virtual workshops - interactive online classes for school, homeschool group, library, organization, or family. Students build their own Rube Goldberg Machines with common household objects, recyclables, repurposed materials, and common toys. Hands-on DIY STEM!
Jay came to our theater day camp for an afternoon and was full of enthusiasm and the joy of teaching and guiding young children. Our campers really enjoyed him! He is organized and very good at helping children work through finding what will work and what will not - and being ok with that either way! I would heartily recommend him - my teenaged staff had just as much fun as the kids!
Response from Playful Engineers: Makerspace Build-Along Workshops:
Thanks for the kind words, Martha - I enjoyed the workshop that day - your outdoor space was ideal for a program like this, and it seemed your kids and staff all wanted to be there. I especially appreciated your friendly and welcoming demeanor, and that was clearly reflected in everyone's experience!
Jay was wonderful. He had a great presentation that peeked the interest of all our campers and staff. They all had a blast building and creating for a full hour.
Response from Playful Engineers: Makerspace Build-Along Workshops:
Thanks, Shannon - it was a pleasure working with you, and seeing the kids and your staff in action!
Jay
Jay did a great job sharing and teaching the kids about chain reactions & Rube Goldberg machines. And the kids had fun! He involved every child and had a fun, surprise ending for the birthday boy.
Jay was a pleasure to plan with. He was very responsive and flexible when I had to change the date.
We had met Jay a few years ago at an inperson event at the library and had fun then, looking forward to returning to inperson activities, but this workshop /party went well virtually ; )
Response from Playful Engineers: Makerspace Build-Along Workshops:
Thanks so much for the kind words, Ann - I feel so honored to have been asked to present my work at this party. Hope to see you at a live, physical event when the pandemic is in our past...Happy birthday again! All the best, Jay M
Jay showed up on time and set up all his equipment. After he was done, he explained the directions to the kids on what they will be doing and building. The kids were engaged and building their own engineering projects. Then after, we watched as Jay showed us his building project which consisted of mechanical pulleys, dominoes, and blocks of wood and other materials. In the end, the finale of his project lit 10 candles on my daughters birthday cake! Something the kids loved and will never forget. Thanks again, Jay!
This was the second time Playful Engineers Traveling MakerSpace visited our school. The children loved every minute of it. Again, Jay provided all of the materials. He arrived early to set up, allowing the children 2 hours to explore and build simple machines. When needed, Jay worked one on one with individuals to help them create their visions into working machines. He would offer advice and encouragement to small groups working together. Jay has a patient and calm demeanor. The children really enjoyed working with him. It was so amazing watching the children build and rebuild until they got the outcome they were looking for. The children couldn't believe how fast two hours flew by, they were having too much fun! A big round of applause for Jay! It is obvious Jay loves what he does and has fun every day while doing his job. He is a true professional! I look forward to working with him again.
Kids were engaged with science/arts and crafts activities. Jay was very engaged with the kids.
Jay arrived early. My group consists of grades kindergarten through 4th. The children sat attentively during Jay's demonstration and asked and answered many pertinent questions. Jay provided a huge assortment of materials for the children. They had so much fun constructing, creating, taking things apart, and rebuilding. It was awesome to watch the children think and see their wheels turning as they worked on their machines. We can't wait to have Jay back!
Photos from this event
Price Range: $100 - $600 based on program length & group size
Gig Length: 30 - 90 minutes
Languages: English
Program Objectives
Chain Reactions @Home with Household Materials, Tools, and Toys
These programs engage children (and families) in hands-on, thought-provoking, open-ended STEM/STEAM explorations with ample opportunities to learn:
1) Physics principles: force and motion, scale, cause and effect
2) Engineering practice: plan, build, test, improve
3) Values: trial and error, persistence, growth mindset
Program Description
Students build their own Rube Goldberg Machines at home with common household objects, recyclables, repurposed materials, and their own common tools and toys. During my Live demonstration/presentation sessions engage and inspire kids of all ages and abilities to try making their own "machines". Pre & Post session, the work is reinforced by my online library of pictorial instructions, video demonstrations, and thematic slideshows, which can be freely accessed on any device. Kids (and families) share their progress by sending in pics and videos, which can be shared (with parental permission) through a common blog page, curated for safety and security. My work dovetails well with Next Generation Science and National Core Arts curriculum, but is not tied to it - Playful Engineers promotes child-centered exploration and play.
Experienced and Tech-Ready
I've learned what works, and what doesn’t, and continue to learn each day about this distance learning in this ever-changing virtual landscape, while continuing to add new video and tutorial content all the time. I've got multiple cameras, up-to-date computer tech, and gigabit internet speed to support smooth, secure, reliable streaming into homes and classrooms - for wherever kids are going to be, and whatever the coming school year may bring.
Online Learning Platforms
My programs are modular, self-contained, and created so busy teachers and parents can participate alongside of the kids, but only to the degree they wish. I tailor these resources to support grade-level STEM/STEAM NGSS curriculum. And I work within whichever online platforms and protocols you prefer - Zoom is my current favorite, but if you prefer another platform like Google, Seesaw, Flipgrid, Nearpod, Blackboard, Canvas, etc... I have experience with all of them...
Lower Costs, Flexible Pricing
Due to the pandemic, no travel means easier scheduling, and lower costs for my programs. When you book my online programs, your registrants all have access to my growing collection of supplemental resources - tutorials, videos, and printable instructions. The more they're used, the happier I am - I don't charge per view, or per download. It's all part of the package.
Jay Mankita has worked with kids and families for over 30 years. His engineering workshops are experiential and inspiring. He's also an award-winning, internationally known (Grammy-nominated compilation, Parents' Choice award, Putumayo Kids, and published songwriter and musician. Jay is also the dad of a 12 year old engineer who is learning basic physics in order to catch up with his dad! Over the past 5 years, Jay has been building Rube Goldberg machines, domino rallies, crazy cardboard contraptions, and all kinds of science-based and engineering-strong gadgets and gizmos.
Jay's acclaimed "Traveling Maker Space" has been off the road, and will remain so, till big school, library, and community gatherings are welcomed again, and toy-sharing is back in season. But being "Makers", we must remake ourselves, and our world, to fit the need - so Jay has retooled his approach, and has converted his home workshop into a modern, online demonstration studio. Playful Engineers is back in action, and ready to serve your kids and families!
This program is flexible for all audiences - from an in-school virtual assembly, to 3 kids sitting on a sofa. All you need is an internet connection, and a willingness to see your kids build stuff! Here's a list of materials you may have around the house:
Surfaces: table, floor, shelf, counter, flat board,
Tools: drill, ruler, scissors, hot glue gun, hole punchers,
Toys: Hot Wheels Tracks, Tinker Toys, K’Nex, Legos, dominoes, popsicle sticks, railroad tracks, marble runs, action figures,
Tracks: cardboard, stretched rubber bands, booktops,
Balls: marble, ping pong ball, golf ball, rubber ball, rolled up aluminum foil, baseball, tennis ball,
Building Blocks: blocks, scrap wood, cans, boxes, bins, chairs, stools,
Tubes: Paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls
Fasteners: rubber bands, glue, hot glue, tape, brass fasteners, string, wire (from clothes hangars), clamps, clothespins, twist ties, pipe cleaners, magnets,
Pullers: string, chain (lightweight), ribbon, floss, fishing line, shoelace, tape,
Rollers: balls, plastic containers, toy wheels, toy cars, fruits & vegetables, cans, tubes, dowels, cone shapes, lids, tape rolls, tape roll inserts, nuts & bolts, discs, paper wheels, spools,
Dominoes: dominoes, clothespins, CD cases, cassette tape cases, books, folded playing cards,
Weights: dominoes, blocks, coins,
Spinners: blocks with holes (bushings), rods, pen and marker housings and caps, things that turn freely like swivels (lazy Susans),
Brattleboro, VT 
Accordion Player
18 Verified Bookings Sharon O. said “Alex was flexible and accommodating. We all had such a wonderful time at my mothers birthday. He played just as he was asked. Quiet during dinner time…”
Providence, RI
Brass Band
3 Verified Bookings Elena G. said “Had the Catnip Junkies for a New Orleans themed work event. They did a fantastic job! The music was great and lively. They kept the crowd super engaged…”
Westwood, MA
Corporate Magician
10 Verified Bookings Jonathan G. said “The Donnino Mentalists put on a great show for us at our summer program. All of our students were excited and clamoring to get up on stage. They left…”
Providence, RI
Belly Dancer
60 Verified Bookings Gloria S. said “Great communication & planning goes out of her way to make sure you get what you want”
List your services
Log In
