"I listen, I forget; I see, I recall; I do, I understand"
How to focus the attention? Give a desire to participate? Encourage the creative explorating? By “catalyzing” the natural curiosity of the children (and of the grown-ups, of course).

In addition to our editorial activities, we propose and organize puzzle workshops and activities for cultural or scientific events. We are puzzle enthusiasts, along with our educational games and exhibit material we frequently travel all over Europe to attend cultural and educational events, holding workshops and sharing our knowledge and ideas with adults and children alike (training courses, exhibitions, workshops). We aim to communicate the wonder of science and mathematics to the public in exciting, involving and entertaining ways: by creating, experimenting and demonstrating hands-on puzzles. Our interactive activities and workshops are intended for an interested general public having no prior specific math or scientific knowledge (appropriate for children age 11 and up).

We offer and perform non-stop puzzle activities and workshops, and optical illusion shows and exhibitions for
• Museums, schools
• Companies, public institutions, organizations (training)
• Communication agencies
• Congresses, Meetings
• Festivals, fairs, scientific or cultural events.

Here below are two of our most requested activities & workshops:

I. MatheMagics From a recreational angle, mathematics can lead us to the discovery of weird paradoxes challenging our common sense. Each student/visitor who attends this workshop will experiment and realize his own ‘magic’ math puzzle with everyday materials and explore different branches of mathematics. Our main object is to sharpen the eyes of the young and adult participants to the unexpected surprises that even the simplest things can reveal.

II. Eyes vs Mind Under the guidance of an expert facilitator each person taking part in this workshop will be involved in particular situations where the mind deceives us. Everyone will discover original optical illusions, realize a perceptive puzzle and discover some incredible paradoxes of the mind and of our visual system... Sure, it is fun to be astonished by an illusion, but it is even more fun and instructive to imagine how it could actually be possible!

In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with orginal games invented by us, and also with everyday objects, we have entertained thousands of people at conventions and festivals... Our great asset is to know how to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary: with objects or experiments which seem at first sight 'banal', we involve you more and more!

The structure of our shows and workshops is dynamic because we concentrate on the essentials leaving ample space for creative improvisation which integrates perfectly with projects and programs linked to cultural, educational and social themes.

We also hold occasional 'creative thinking' and 'creative improvisation' workshops. During these workshops, exercices and puzzle examples will be used to spark ideas that will energize your brain and increase your ability to realize your objectives. Sometimes, creativity is simply making new things out of ordinary objects and situations!

Our objectives are to:
- improve the spread of Mathematics and Science through simple experiments and games;
- awaken the general public to scientific themes arousing curiosity and amazement;
- revalue and promote the 'manual ability' and other forms of expression or didactic means;
- supply a balanced vision of Science and to help young people to overcome the 'fear of mistakes' encouraging them to transform those mistakes or problems into occasions of improvement and creative opportunity;
- stimulate the impromptu creativity or rather the capacity to create new things out of everyday objects, ready to hand following the inspiration of the moment;
- Promote integration and cultural exchanges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much rooms do you need for your activities?
- Generally, a minimum space of 3x4 meters.

Do you need specific facilities or furniture?
- No, just a well-lit site with 2 or more tables along with 4 chairs. If possible, screens and panels to display posters and visual materials.

Do you need a particular location?
- Preferably a place with maximum visibility where people are constantly coming and going.

Are you bringing any materials?
- Yes! Posters, some risk-free ‘scientific’ devices, a lot of mechanical puzzles and hands-on materials.

How much do your activities and workshops cost?
- 500.00 Euros for minimum 2 days (5 hours a day). Workshop prices include 2 facilitators, and rental equipment.

Are there extra expenses?
- Yes, travelling + board and lodging expenses must be taken care of by the requestor/organizer (or are billed in addition to and separately from fees for activities and services). As invited lecturers/facilitators, we usually ask the requestor/organizer who schedules our workshop(s) to take all necessary steps for arranging our trip and logding enough in advance.

Samples of puzzles we realize with the visitors.
Samples of mechanical puzzles the visitors can manipulate and solve.
Photo gallery of our workshops and exhibits.
Program of our forthcoming activities (workshops & exhibits).
Complete bibliography of Gianni A. Sarcone & Marie-Jo Waeber.

		Salon des Mathématiques, Paris (F)

Workshops and activities by
Archimedes' Lab

 
ESOF 2010,
Turin (I)