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In 2005 Tulley founded the Tinkering School, which operates as an overnight summer camp in Montara, California, and a week-long day camp in San Francisco, as well as single-day workshops (some for all girls). There is also a branch of the Tinkering School in Chicago.
At the Tinkering School, children are allowed to pick up and use tools that are commonly viewed as dangerous by our overprotective society and be trusted not to hurt themselves or others. They use "wood and nails and rope and wheels, and lots of tools, real tools," according to one of Tulley's TED talks called "Life lessons through tinkering" (2009).
Most importantly, the kids are given time – something that's in short order these days with stressed-out, overworked parents and packed extracurricular schedules. Having the time to start these open-ended building projects, to fail at them, then to persevere and ultimately succeed (with the help of adults who are guiding the projects to completion) is a glorious thing.
When I was a kid this kind of summer camp was called, "Go Outside and Play!"
Original Submission
(Score: 1, Troll) by kurenai.tsubasa on Thursday July 09 2015, @08:22PM
some for all girls
What, is it normal to exclude some girls? Do they usually do it by hair color or eye color, or do they have to be a certain height? A virginity certificate? Undergoing the Amazon rites of menarche? (Last one starts off boring, but then they throw one hell of a party!)
Oooh, I parsed that all wrong. They must actually be practicing secret Amazon techniques that are forbidden to teach to men, so yes, the very last one would probably apply. I wasn't aware there was a tribe in Chicago. I'll need to check it out.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by lentilla on Friday July 10 2015, @01:04AM
I believe this might be one of the few instances where segregating by gender might be beneficial. (Amazonian humour aside.)
It is human nature to quickly organise ourselves into teams when given a task. This camp is about building things - and having the time and mental space to do so. Thus you want to avoid "habitual leaders" from taking charge - you want those other people to have a go themselves - the ones that normally stand back. When it comes to building things you'll often see boys take charge. If we are able to give girls a chance to discover they are competent then they'll have the confidence and experience to take an active role in the future.
It's a similar situation to having two children of different ages assisting with a task. It's important that the younger child has an opportunity to assist - despite the fact they are less competent than the older child - because the only way to develop skills is to practice.
(Score: 2) by VortexCortex on Friday July 10 2015, @02:27AM
If we are able to give girls a chance to discover they are competent then they'll have the confidence and experience to take an active role in the future.
An odd proposition. If the girls are "bossy" they'll take charge. Surely you've seen many bossy little girls who throw fits when they don't get their way just as often as boys, right? I have. The "bossy" girl isn't going to have the a problem you've stated. The girl (or boy) who's uncomfortable working around a "bossy" girl or boy is going to have a problem "taking an active role in the future" since they'll surely have a boss at some point (we've established they're not the take-charge type). So, you propose we prepare people for the future by presenting them with an environment that's very unlike the future they'll likely face?
Not that I don't agree that girls and boys typically learn and play differently and should thus have the option of separate classes, just that I don't agree with the premise that same sex classes will help prepare a boy or girl to interact with coed society of their futures -- unless you're envisioning a future where men are absent like many feminists do... [youtube.com]
(Score: 2) by lentilla on Friday July 10 2015, @02:55AM
Surely you've seen many bossy little girls
Good point.
you propose we prepare people for the future by presenting them with an environment that's very unlike the future they'll likely face?
Yes and no.
When we are just starting out in something it isn't helpful to compare yourself to experts. (Or worse - having to compete with experts.) That's just discouraging. By all means look at what the experts are doing, admire it, and hope to emulate it - but don't expect to match their results immediately.
The training wheels can come off as beginners move into "intermediate" standard - where the student knows they can do something and it's just a matter of improvement. That's the point at which eschewing a realistic environment is harmful. Prior to that it's all about allowing a beginner to get up to speed and not fall flat on their face at first attempt.
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Friday July 10 2015, @01:07AM
Mom is what newfoundlanders denote as "quitty-quott". Doilies, antique oil paintings, she feels that its a criminal offense for woman to wear pants.
But she is a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. At their meetings, all the ladies smoke cigarettes, drink hard liquor, use foul language and tell dirty jokes.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 10 2015, @10:29AM
Some classes that prohibit boys from attending are fine, as long as they have some classes that also prohibit girls from attending. What really makes me mad is when everybody's like "Oh, girls need all-girls classes for REASONS, but boys shouldn't have all-boys classes because that's sexist!"
Nope, either segregating by gender is okay for both, or it is okay for neither. None of this "it is okay for my gender but not for yours" junk.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 10 2015, @01:25PM
They must actually be practicing secret Amazon techniques that are forbidden to teach to men,
Exactly correct. These Amazon women cut off their right breast so it's easier for them to grab bulky items as they reach into the merchandise bins. It vastly improves their pick rate at the local Amazon fulfillment center.