PLAYING WITH ENGINEERING

In a keynote for the 2023 Strange Loop conference, AnnMarie shares thoughts on the intersection between engineering and play.

THE WORK OF PLAY

At Eyeo 2018, AnnMarie Thomas shares process and learnings, as well as some of the challenges of being a researcher who specializes in play.

TED TALKS: HANDS-ON SCIENCE WITH SQUISHY CIRCUITS

In a demo at TED, AnnMarie shows how two different homemade play doughs can be used to demonstrate electrical properties – by lighting up LEDs, spinning motors, and turning little kids into circuit designers.

MORE THREADS EQUAL MORE POSSIBILITIES

Asked to present at Creative Mornings MSP on the topic of “thread",” AnnMarie took an unusual (and at times, magical) approach to braiding together complex projects.

PLAYING WITH CREATIVITY AT TEDX

Creativity can be a catch-all phrase to speak to the need to see the solutions and possibilities right in front of us, but often invisible to the mind, or, like playing a tough chess game, a few moves out before hinting at its presence.

Surprise!

Where do new ideas come from?How are engineers similar to novelists? In this talk, AnnMarie demonstrates the importance of seeking out, and embracing, the element of surprise. Sometimes the best ideas are hiding in unexpected places!

PLAYING WITH, AND FOR DATA: LESSONS IN DATA ACROSS CREATIVE FIELDS

Unusual collaborations can often lead to new ways of taking, and analyzing data. This talk looks at lessons learned from working with chefs, circus performers, and preschoolers.

TEDxTC: MAKING MAKERS

AnnMarie addresses the important role that making played in the childhoods of many of today's adult innovators, educators, designers, and engineers. This is contrasted with some of the ways in which today's children are allowed to explore the world around them.

SERIOUS PLAY-DOUGH: INSPIRING YOUNG SCIENTISTS

At the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, AnnMarie and her team demonstrate that science or engineering lessons can be found in almost anything – and a sense of play can make those lessons accessible and incite young minds.

IGNITE MPLS: WHY MAKING MATTERS

AnnMarie gives her 5-minute Ignite talk, "Why Making Matters" at The Heights Theatre in Minneapolis on April 21, 2011.

WORLD MAKER FAIRE 2012: EVERY CHILD A MAKER

AnnMarie talks about the work of the Maker Education Initiative, focusing on developing the people, places and practices to allow more children the opportunity to be makers. 

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE PLAY: DR. ANNMARIE THOMAS

How many engineering professors do you know that understand both the science of circus and regularly soar through the air on a trapeze? Meet one who does. Dr. AnnMarie Thomas is an Associate Professor at the University of St. Thomas.