In this episode of the Tech Explorations podcast, host Peter Dalmaris sits down with Jacob Strickling, a mechanical engineer turned science educator with a passion for making science accessible and engaging for students of all ages. Jacob's journey from a curious child experimenting with candles and matches at the kitchen table to a seasoned science teacher and founder of Make Science Fun is both inspiring and enlightening.
Jacob spent 24 years teaching science in traditional classrooms, where he observed a significant gap in hands-on practical experiences for students. Determined to bridge this gap, he founded Make Science Fun, a company dedicated to providing educational science services. His innovative approach led to the creation of Tiny Science Lab, a venture that miniaturizes traditional science equipment, making it more accessible and safer for students, particularly those in homeschool and distance education settings.
Peter and Jacob delve into the origins of Tiny Science Lab, tracing its roots back to a simple Instagram post that sparked Jacob's interest in small-scale science equipment. This curiosity led to the development of a range of tiny science tools, including a miniature Bunsen burner, which has revolutionized the way practical science is taught at home and in schools. Jacob shares his experiences of testing these tools with homeschool groups and the surprising realization that even well-equipped schools prefer his compact, efficient equipment.
The conversation also explores Jacob's teaching philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on learning and scientific thinking. He believes in engaging students through practical experiments before delving into theoretical concepts, a method that fosters curiosity and a deeper understanding of scientific principles. Jacob recounts various experiments that challenge common sense and encourage students to think critically, highlighting the importance of unbiased experimentation and the scientific method.
Jacob's innovative approach extends beyond chemistry to include electricity and physics sets, all designed with simplicity and practicality in mind. He discusses the role of technology, particularly laser cutters, in streamlining the production of his educational kits, and the importance of making quick decisions and learning from mistakes in the development process.
Looking ahead, Jacob hints at exciting developments, including a major TV appearance that promises to bring wider recognition to Tiny Science Lab. He welcomes the prospect of competitors entering the market, viewing it as a positive step towards transforming practical science education globally.
For those interested in learning more about Jacob Strickling and Tiny Science Lab, visit www.tinysciencelab.com.au. Jacob's dedication to making science fun, practical, and accessible is sure to inspire educators, parents, and students alike.
Join Peter and Jacob in this engaging episode as they explore the intersection of education, innovation, and the joy of scientific discovery.
Significant Moments in the Transcript:
1. Introduction of Jacob Strickling and his Background (00:00:10)
- Peter introduces Jacob Strickling, a mechanical engineer with a passion for science education.
- Jacob spent 24 years teaching science in the classroom.
- Jacob founded Make Science Fun and Tiny Science Lab.
2. Jacob's Early Interest in Science (00:01:30)
- Jacob shares his childhood experiences with hands-on science at the kitchen table.
3. Creation of Tiny Science Lab (00:03:00)
- Jacob explains how he started Tiny Science Lab to make science equipment more accessible.
4. Online Chemistry Labs During the Pandemic (00:04:00)
- Peter mentions his children attending Jacob's online chemistry labs during the pandemic.
5. Inspiration Behind Tiny Science Lab (00:06:00)
- Jacob talks about the inspiration behind Tiny Science Lab and how he started teaching kids.
6. Discovery of Small Science Equipment (00:07:00)
- Jacob discusses finding small science equipment on eBay and starting to use it in his videos.
7. Development of Tiny Bunsen Burner (00:08:30)
- Jacob describes how he developed a tiny Bunsen burner using a soldering iron gas burner and 3D printing.
8. Impact on Homeschool Families (00:10:00)
- Jacob talks about the impact of Tiny Science Lab on homeschool families and schools.
9. Philosophy of Hands-On Learning (00:12:00)
- Jacob shares his philosophy of engaging students through hands-on learning and practical experiments.
10. Scientific Method and Critical Thinking (00:20:00)
- Jacob explains the importance of the scientific method and critical thinking in his teaching approach.
11. Example of Unexpected Experiment Results (00:25:00)
- Jacob gives an example of an experiment with balloons that defies common sense expectations.
12. Value of Online Teaching and Equipment (00:30:00)
- Jacob discusses the benefits and challenges of online teaching and the importance of having good equipment.
13. Scaling Up and Future Plans (00:35:00)
- Jacob talks about scaling up his business and preparing for increased demand due to a TV show appearance.
14. Upcoming TV Show Appearance (00:36:00)
- Jacob hints at an upcoming appearance on a popular TV show related to businesses and pitching.
15. Contact Information and Website (00:39:00)
- Jacob provides his website for more information: www.tinysciencelab.com.au.
Here is a list of resources mentioned by Jacob Strickling in the transcript:
1. Make Science Fun - Jacob's company that provides educational science services.
- Website: Make Science Fun
2. Tiny Science Lab - A project by Jacob that reduces the size of traditional science equipment to make it more accessible.
- Website: Tiny Science Lab
3. YouTube Channel - Jacob mentioned starting a YouTube channel where he shares his science experiments and projects.
- YouTube: Make Science Fun
4. Clip Circuit - A type of educational kit for learning about electricity, which Jacob has adapted for better educational use.
- Example Product: Snap Circuits
5. Laser Cutter - Jacob emphasized the importance of a laser cutter in his work for creating various components.
- Example Product: Glowforge
6. 3D Printer - Used for creating custom parts for his science kits.
- Example Product: Prusa 3D Printers
7. Channel 10 - Jacob mentioned an upcoming appearance on a popular TV show related to business pitching, which airs on Channel 10.
- Channel 10: 10 Play
Here is a list of tips and advice mentioned by Jacob Strickling in the transcript:
1. Engage Students First: Focus on engaging students through hands-on, practical experiences before delving into theoretical concepts.
2. Encourage Exploration and Play: Allow students to explore and play with scientific concepts using everyday items like candles, syringes, and balloons to spark curiosity.
3. Use Small Equipment: Smaller, more accessible science equipment can make experiments safer, quicker, and more engaging for students of all ages.
4. Incorporate the Scientific Method: Teach students to approach experiments with an unbiased mind, focusing on fair testing, controlling variables, and collecting data.
5. Hands-On Learning: Emphasize learning through doing, which helps students understand and retain scientific concepts better.
6. Use Real-Life Applications: Relate experiments to real-life scenarios to make learning more relevant and impactful.
7. Adapt and Innovate: Be open to adapting existing tools and creating new ones to improve the learning experience. For example, using a soldering iron gas burner as a mini Bunsen burner.
8. Leverage Technology: Utilize online teaching tools and platforms to reach a wider audience and provide interactive learning experiences.
9. Iterate and Improve: Continuously test and refine your teaching methods and equipment based on feedback and observations.
10. Collaborate and Scale: Work with other educators and scale your efforts by training others to use your methods and tools.
11. Embrace Mistakes: Understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process and can lead to valuable insights and improvements.
12. Use Simple Tools Effectively: Invest in versatile tools like laser cutters, which can significantly speed up production and allow for quick prototyping and customization.
13. Think Practically: Focus on practical solutions that are easy to implement and can make a significant impact on the learning experience.
14. Be Prepared for Change: Be ready to adapt to new opportunities and challenges, such as increased visibility and competition.
15. Inspire and Motivate: Aim to inspire students to want to learn and explore further on their own.
16. Provide Comprehensive Resources: Offer a combination of equipment, workbooks, and videos to create a complete learning package.
17. Seek Support: Don't try to do everything alone; seek support and collaboration to achieve your goals.
18. Make Decisions Quickly: Don't get bogged down in overthinking; make decisions and be willing to adjust as needed.
19. Focus on Safety: Ensure that all experiments and equipment are safe for students to use.
20. Promote Scientific Thinking: Encourage students to think scientifically, question assumptions, and seek evidence-based answers.
Tech Explorations Podcast with Peter
Episode: Featuring Jacob Strickling
Peter: So on this episode, I'm excited to introduce Jacob Strickling, a mechanical engineer who has a passion for science education. Jacob spent 24 years teaching science in the classroom. That's a lot of years, Jacob. And during that time, he noticed that many students lacked access to hands-on practical experiences. Determined to change that, Jacob founded Make Science Fun, a company that provides educational science services. He also created Tiny Science Lab, which reduces the size of traditional science equipment, making it more accessible to students of all ages. I met Jacob a couple of years ago when my children attended one of his online chemistry labs during the pandemic. It definitely made chemistry and science fun and inspirational for the next generation of scientists. So Jacob, thank you for joining me in this episode of the Tech Explorations podcast. How are you today?
Jacob: Very well. Thank you for having me along, Peter and listeners.
Peter: Perfect. So without taking any more time from our discussion, I'd like to invite you to start by telling us a little bit about your story. I call it the elevator pitch style introduction. So who are you, Jacob?
Jacob: Born in Sydney, I have fond memories of doing science at the kitchen table when I was five years old while my mum cooked dinner. I had a set of candles and matches and cans, and my parents encouraged me to do hands-on science. I was always that kid who pulled things apart—broken TVs and stereos—to see how they worked. I could never put them back together, but I was always intrigued. I was naturally good at science as a student and wanted to become an inventor. So I did mechanical engineering and discovered I had a knack for teaching and explaining things. I went into teaching, where I was the guy always doing hands-on shows and practical experiments. Eventually, I started a YouTube channel for my fun explosions and projects at home. This led to producing Tiny Science Lab, bringing practical experiences to homeschool families and distance ed families. Surprisingly, schools now prefer the small equipment to the regular equipment.
Peter: I liked what you said about being young and pulling things apart. I remember those days. I used to do the exact same thing. With Tiny Labs, that's how we met because we homeschool our kids. It was a great opportunity to get them introduced to science where we, the parents, are not the teachers or a book. So, could we take a few minutes to focus on Tiny Labs and how you started teaching kids? What inspired you, and how did kids and families accept you?
Jacob: I remember how it started. I was doing my Make Science Fun videos with normal experiments and equipment. One day, I saw an Instagram post of someone holding a small conical flask. I thought it was cute and bought some tiny beakers on eBay. I started doing small experiments in videos just because I thought it was cute. Kids at school suggested I do ASMR videos with the small equipment, but I didn't like that. Then I thought, I should find a small Bunsen burner. There wasn't one available, but I adapted a soldering iron gas burner with a 3D-printed part. This allowed me to create a proper Bunsen burner at home. Shrinking the equipment made it more accessible, safer, quicker, and used fewer chemicals. Homeschool families could now do the same experiments as kids at school. I wrote worksheets and produced videos, offering the golden trifecta: equipment, workbooks, and videos. Schools now prefer this small equipment because it allows every student to participate, unlike traditional setups where only one or two students do the work.
Peter: That's so interesting. I guess we're not talking about decades, right? Maybe three years?
Jacob: Yes, very fast production. It's quick. My philosophy has always been to engage students first. I don't like the name Make Science Fun; I prefer Make Science Practical or Hands-On. Students should learn through exploring and playing. For example, squeezing a shampoo bottle in the bathtub or burning candles. In school, I gave brief descriptions of experiments and let students explore. Afterward, we discussed the concepts. This approach engages students and inspires them to study further. I've had students do very well because they were inspired to learn, not because I was a great teacher. Hands-on learning is crucial.
Peter: I guess the maker philosophy is about engaging with whatever you're learning. It's not just academic; it's a whole-body activity. This approach where every kid has their own kit and does experiments takes time but has a far greater impact. After the experiment, you can discuss the science behind it.
Jacob: Correct. For example, heating water in a beaker can relate to fish kills in warm lakes. Putting carbon dioxide in a bottle and measuring temperature introduces global warming. I'm big on scientific thinking, collecting data, graphing, and looking at relationships. I love experiments.
Peter: Can you speak more about the scientific method? How do we train the next generations to sort out everyday life chaos?
Jacob: The classic scientific method involves coming up with a question, developing a fair experiment, and testing it. For example, does temperature change the viscosity of honey? You change the temperature (independent variable) and measure viscosity (dependent variable). It's important to approach experiments with an unbiased mind. For instance, we were taught that the tongue had four zones for different tastes, but that was disproven. A fair experiment would have involved blindfolds and controlled variables. You have to come to experiments with an unbiased mind and approach them fairly.
Peter: Can you give an example where the experiment's result surprised the students?
Jacob: Sure. If I blow up one balloon big and another small, and connect them with a tube, students predict the air will equalize. But when I open the valve, the small balloon gets smaller, and the big one gets bigger. This surprises them and leads to discussions about elasticity, pressure, and material science. Simple experiments can open up a world of scientific principles.
Peter: That's fascinating. It shows that not everything is common sense. Science teaches us to think critically. What other Tiny Labs are there?
Jacob: Our flagship is the chemistry set. We also have an electricity set based on clip circuits but designed for science education. It includes three light globes, alligator clips, an ammeter, and a voltmeter. Teachers find it easier to use than traditional setups. We also have a solar-powered car set and a physics set. We use a laser cutter for many components, which has significantly increased our productivity. We also do some 3D printing for specific parts.
Peter: That's impressive. You've built a business while fixing a problem in education. Congratulations. What's next for you in the next three or four years?
Jacob: I've just filmed for a major TV show, which will air in August. This will bring more visibility and competitors, which I welcome. Practical science in schools will change as more people adopt the idea of shrinking equipment. Our company will be part of that change.
Peter: That's amazing. Can you tell us which channel to look out for?
Jacob: It's on Channel 10, a very popular show related to businesses and pitching. I can't say more, but everyone knows this show.
Peter: I'm sure it will go great. Where can people find more information about you and your products?
Jacob: You can find us at www.tinysciencelab.com.au. You can see our products and my overall philosophy there.
Peter: Thank you, Jacob. It was a real pleasure talking to you today. Thank you for listening, everybody. Bye for now and talk soon.
Jacob: Bye-bye, everybody.