To encourage the hands-on learning of current and future engineering students, and to inspire more enthusiasm for the actual work of engineering, the Berkeley chapters of SWE (Society of Women Engineers) and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). have instigated an event called Tinker Day which will be
happening every Friday at 2pm at UCB, Hesse Hall, and is open to high school, community college, and Cal students. It is intended to be a minimally structured environment for students to interact and explore their own ideas, or to learn something new from other students by working on predesigned projects.

The first Tinker Day on April 18 was a big success! The attendees had all ranges of experience. Projects included a theramin (electronic musical instrument), a wireless internet antenna made
from a tin can, free-form circuit from junked parts to actuate a solenoid. And a number of people who had never soldered before built complete working circuits to actuate a Nitinol (electroactive alloy) actuator.

The following Friday focused on bicycles.

All current and future engineering students are invited to attend furture Friday meetings. Please RSVP romy@berkeley.edu