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Maker Motions and Simple Machines – STEAM Futures Workshop Series

Maker Motions and Simple Machines Steam Futures workshop series small tinkered set of gears in a circular frame

Event Description

About This Workshop

In this workshop, youth design and build small mechanical creations—such as cardboard automata—using simple machines like cams, cranks, levers, and linkages. Participants explore how motion transfers through connected parts and how small changes can affect movement, balance, and stability.

Through hands-on prototyping and iteration, youth test ideas, make adjustments, and refine their builds. This session emphasizes experimentation and problem-solving, helping participants understand how movement, structure, and design work together in mechanical systems.

What You’ll Learn & Do

Participants will:

  • Build simple machines using cams, cranks, levers, and linkages
  • Explore how motion transfers through connected components
  • Prototype, test, and refine mechanical designs
  • Use cardboard, foam core, and basic hardware to create moving forms

Why this matters:
Understanding simple machines and motion builds a foundation for engineering thinking and mechanical problem-solving. These concepts support later STEAM Futures workshops involving motors, moving parts, interactive builds, and media documentation of motion and process.

STEAM Futures Media Moment

Youth will take part in the Mini Media Crew by capturing short video clips of their moving builds. This may include close-ups of mechanisms in action or simple time-lapse footage showing how projects evolve through testing and iteration. With permission, this footage may be used in the final STEAM Futures Community Showcase.

Who Can Attend

  • Primary audience: Youth ages 8–18
  • Youth ages 8–12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who remains on-site for the duration of the workshop.
  • Adults may participate as full creators if space is available. Youth participants are always prioritized.

Cost

Youth participants attend free of charge thanks to support from the Liberty Bank Foundation and Eversource.
Adults are welcome to attend at no cost and are invited to contribute, if they are able, to help make future programs accessible to the whole community.

Location

Project Imo – Idea Forge Creators Space

About the STEAM Futures Workshop Series

STEAM Futures is a hands-on workshop series hosted at Project Imo’s Idea Forge Creators Space. Each session blends art, design, science, technology, and engineering through accessible, project-based learning. Youth explore tools and techniques across multiple disciplines while building confidence as creative makers and problem-solvers. Participants may attend individual workshops or engage throughout the full series.

Made Possible By

NEXT Workshop in the Series – Light Up Characters Circuits and Creativity

Open Maker Space Hours – Thursday January 22nd from 2:30pm to 6:30pm

January 21, 2026
2:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Free – $20.00

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Adult Participant ($20) - Maker Motions and Simple Machines - STEAM Futures(copy)
$20.00
6 available
Youth Participant - Maker Motions and Simple Machines - STEAM Futures
$0.00
12 available
Adult Participant ($10) - Maker Motions and Simple Machines - STEAM Futures
$10.00
6 available
Quantity: 0
Total: $0.00

Venue

Base Camp

54 North Street
Willimantic, CT 06226 United States

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Organized By

Project Imo

(860) 786-5799

teamimo@projectimo.org

Upcoming Events

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Know Before You Go!

Nope! A digital copy on your phone is perfectly fine. Just have it ready at check-in for a quick scan. We would gladly accept 

Project Imo and the Idea Forge Creators Space strive to offer high-quality events and workshops for our community. To ensure fair access and responsible planning, we’ve established the following refund policy:

Ticket Purchases

  • All ticket sales are final unless otherwise stated on the event listing.

  • Refunds may be issued if a written request is received at least 7 days before the event date.

  • Refunds requested within 7 days of the event are not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • A processing fee may be deducted to cover platform costs (e.g., PayPal fees).

How Refunds Are Processed

  • Refunds will be issued to the original payment method (usually via PayPal).

  • For in-person registrations paid by cash or check, refunds will be issued by check within 14 business days.

  • Requests must be sent to [insert email] and include:

    • Your full name

    • The event name

    • Proof of purchase

If We Cancel or Reschedule
If an event is canceled or rescheduled by Project Imo, you will receive:

  • A full refund, or

  • The option to transfer your registration to a future event (upon request)

Parking is available at right outside the entrance of our main location.

Street parking may be limited on Main street, so always recommend arriving early or carpooling when possible.

We offer a few light refreshments, including a Keurig station, a water dispenser, and occasional snacks.

However, we do not provide full meals. For most events, you’re welcome to eat beforehand or bring your own food, unless otherwise noted in the event description. If outside food isn’t allowed for a specific program, we’ll be sure to mention it clearly.

Please bring your ticket (digital or printed), a valid ID, and any personal items you may need.

Some events may require specific materials, these will be noted clearly in the event description if needed. If you’re ever unsure, feel free to reach out before attending!

Unless otherwise stated, all events/workshops are intended for adults ages 18 and up.

If an event is family-friendly or open to younger participants, that information will be clearly noted in the event description.

Yes and we encourage it!

You can add multiple tickets at checkout and enter details for each attendee. We highly recommend inviting your friends, coworkers, or creative crew to join you. Events are more fun when shared, and it makes for a great group outing or even a unique gift experience.

Yes, just email us at TeamImo@Projectimo.org with the full name and email of the new attendee at least 48 hours before the event.  Best option would to also copy that person on the email you send.

Use the contact form below or email us directly at TeamImo@projectimo.org. We’re happy to help!

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