Tabletop Experiments delivers a range of workshops that have been developed in collaboration with scientists and artists. Using art as a medium of exploring science and demonstrating scientific concepts workshops are designed to encourage creativity through practical experiments, and adapt the observational skills & methods used in art as a route to increasing engagement in science and visa versa. Please contact info@tabletopexperiments.org.uk to discuss a project.


Harmonograph drawing, from workshop at Tate Liverpool 2011


Brushbot workshop for The Big Draw at Tate Liverpool 2010

Tabletop experiments at the Big Draw 2008
This was a day of performative experiments demonstrating the Mercury Beating Heart electro chemical oscillator, the Hele-shaw cell and the BZ reaction [See also Fluid and BZ reaction.]


Hele-shaw cells experiments. Images from Big Draw launch @ UCL 2008.

Making musical instruments and sensor technologies
I have done a number of workshops in electronic and acoustic musical instrument making, as a way of exploring sound and design. In a recent project with Creative Partnerships intended to demystify technology, year 9 students invented wearable technologies for interacting with computers including;Techno Tap, a sensor shoe, with an optical sensor, a speaking, USB 'Sensor Glove' for controlling music, and a head band that detects your emotional state selecting music accordingly. The completed objects will be shown as part of Manchester International festival. See also sound forms...

Images from Creative Partnerships project with FGHS 2009.

Slime workshop, putty,slime and lavalamps, all kinds of mess. Images from Creative Partnerships project in barrow-in-furness.

Amplitude modulation light as sound
In this workshop participants investigate the use of solar cells and other light sensitive opti-electronic components to generate sound from light, make amplifiers and use a lasers and LEDs to transmit sounds, use liquid droplets to create sensitive microphones and use liquids dynamic physical oscillators.See more info…

Berlin Micro research workshop xxxx.

Sonicstreams tool kit recently developed with FACT...
Sonic Streams is a creative exploration of the impact of sound on the human body.
Sound can powerfully affect the human body and the way we feel. Can sound aid the healing process and promote well being? Noisy and busy urban environments - schools, colleges, and hospitals, for instance, can also raise stress levels. Can we change the real life impact of environments through altering sound content? With the support of the Tool Kit, students will develop creative ways to scientifically research the effects of sound and to share their findings.

Download the whole tool kit we developed as a PDF here..
Visit the Sonic streams web site...
http://sonicstreams.fact.co.uk/research-as-education/sound-tool-kit/



Science Art tool kits and resource packs from top left, AV toolkit, Sound toolkit, 3D photography toolkit, and finally Sonic Laser Transmitter toolkit.

The Science Art tool kits and resource packs were also developed for FACT and Creative Partnerships in 2008.


3D "anaglyph" image from workshop

Stereo photography workshop
The history Stereo photography is closely linked with the development of moving image technologies. This workshop covers basics of visual perception and colours. Taking various optical illusions as a reference, the phenomenon of stereo vision is discussed in depth. Participants learn how to "free view" stereo images , make a stereo viewer, as well as construct digital red green "anaglyph" images using photoshop. We also make our own classic 3D viewing glasses to see these.