Interview with DesignSquad's Nate Ball
Nate Ball from PBS's Design Squad demonstrates his invention the Atlas ascender in the Museum's Great Hall.
Nate Ball: Discover Engineering Family Day brings together so many things about engineering that I love: brainstorming creative ideas, designing, building, testing, failing, redesigning, and ultimately succeeding. The atmosphere of the day is unbelievably exciting for kids and parents. There are hundreds of talented volunteers from some of the country’s most well known engineering societies ready to help people get engaged with hands-on projects, like Design Squad’s Paper Table, Zip Line, Watercraft, and Electric Highway activities. Also, I can never resist an invitation to bring along my invention, the Atlas ascender, and use it to climb a rope all the way to the Museum’s epic 120 foot ceiling!
NBM Online: What is your favorite part of the design process?
Nate Ball: For me, the most exciting part is when I first get all the parts of a new design together, and then get to test it out. I always learn the most during that initial assembly and test. That's when I see first-hand which of my new ideas worked and which didn't. It’s also when the most spectacular "surprises" happen.
Nate Ball uses his invention: the Atlas powered rope ascender.
Courtesy Atlas Devices.
Nate Ball: My latest project I've been working is a set of automated pole vault standards. When it's all up and running, you'll be able to type in your settings and have the standards raise the pole vault bar to exactly the right height and depth!
NBM Online: What’s new on this season of Design Squad?
Nate Ball: For Season 3 we've got smaller, more agile teams of college-aged engineering students that are attacking bigger projects than ever. My favorite episode is the finale, where the kids get dropped off on an island and have to build sailboats and then race back to shore for the finish! Other favorites of mine from Season 3 include building a dryland dog sled for mushers in Jamaica and a radio-controlled watercraft to help New Orleans Fire Department rescue crews save pets in water emergencies.
Design Squad airs in DC on WHUT Saturdays at 12:30pm. You can also catch up on Season 3 challenges at pbs.org/designsquad.
The cast of Design Squad Season 3.
Courtesy WGBH / Anthony Tieuli.
Nate Ball: Most kids don't realize it, but a lot of what they are already doing has similarities with how engineers tackle problems every day! Any time you have to think creatively to solve a problem and use some technical knowledge to do so, you're on your way to engineering. Add some in-depth engineering training with more math and science and you can keep solving bigger and more meaningful problems. A great way to get involved early is to find some friends or join a club that is already doing engineering activities. There's nothing like learning as part of a team. Failing that, think of a problem you'd like to solve, hunt around for some resources, and get to it! For educators and parents Design Squad has some great resources online to get kids thinking like engineers and kids can try out the hands-on activities by going to the “Build Projects” section of the site. For parents of older kids or teens who are thinking about a career in engineering check out http://www.engineeryourlife.org for additional resources.
