Becoming Friends with Failure

I’m currently designing some pieces for a *legally distinct enough from* Rollerball board game. I need a tiny roller skater to hold onto the back of a motorcycle with one hand and clutch a ball with the other.

It sounds simple but the design has already failed twice.

Getting to V3

My initial design used a ball-and-socket joint. I found the components in the connectors category on TinkerCAD. In in the print, the connection was too tight and it snapped when I tried to separate the pieces.

Failure.

But not wasted effort. I learned how unforgiving tiny mechanical parts can be and that my connection point needs to put a lot less stress on the print.

Version 2 connected with a peg in the skater’s hand and a hole on the back of the bike. The print was functional when we showed it to the 5th graders, but when the preschoolers played with them, not one peg survived. At this miniature scale, the pegs were too delicate. They worked, but they weren’t playable, and this print needs to survive actual hands if it’s going to be a game piece.

Another failure.

Now I’m printing Version 3.

The hands are now hoops, looping over a more robust peg on the back of the motorcycle.

It’s printing as I write this and I don’t know if it will work. But that’s okay! Whether it succeeds or fails, it moves me forward. It narrows the gap between what I imagine and what actually functions in the real world.

Making Peace with Not Knowing

We love polished outcomes but we rarely talk about the the snapped joints, the fragile pegs, the redesign that comes to you as you’re starting to fall asleep.

The truth is: innovation is mostly revision.

Failure is not the opposite of progress. It is progress.

When something breaks, you’ve learned something. When a piece is too delicate, you understand scale better. When tolerances are off, you recalibrate. Each misstep refines the next attempt.

Watch the Tutorials. Do It Badly. Improve It.

You cannot improve something that doesn’t exist.

Perfection is attractive but it can also be paralyzing. If I waited to fully understand every variable before hitting “print,” I’d still be staring at a screen instead of holding a prototype.

I watch YouTube tutorials. I pause and rewind. I try techniques I’ve never done before, and I often do them badly.

That’s part of it.

So make the imperfect version. Break it. Redesign it.

Trying is vulnerable. It means admitting you don’t know the answer yet. It means risking visible mistakes. It means iteration.

Becoming Friends with Failure

Print.
Test.
Adjust.
Repeat.

Before you know it, version one becomes version twelve. And somewhere along the way, the design clicks into place — not because it was perfect from the start, but because you didn’t stop at failure.

So if you’re building something new, a product, a lesson, a business idea, a piece of art, don’t wait for certainty.

Make something.
Let it fail.
Make it better.

Ready to meet local makers and learn about their creative processes?

Join us for the 2026 Des Moines Mini Maker Faire at the Science Center of Iowa on Saturday, April 11th!

Makers can register here to host an exhibitor booth or lead a workshop in the Innovation Lab.

Our Favorite Tools for Cardboard

Empowered Tools at SCI

The theme of this year’s Des Moines Mini Maker Faire is Empowered Tools—exploring how both high-tech and low-tech tools can amplify creativity, problem-solving, and discovery. Few materials capture that balance better than cardboard!

In our Innovation Lab, cardboard is a go-to material because it’s accessible, flexible, and endlessly adaptable. When paired with the right tools, it becomes a powerful way for learners of all ages to turn ideas into tangible creations.

Makedo Sets

Best for: Open-ended creativity, rapid prototyping, all ages

If we had to pick one all-time favorite cardboard tool, it would be Makedo.

Makedo sets are intuitive, durable, and immediately empowering for kids. The kid-safe tools and reusable screws let learners jump straight into building without tape or glue, which means structures can evolve, collapse, and rebuild without frustration.

The Makedo saw is always a hit. It’s just sharp enough to be effective, but designed with safety in mind, making it approachable for younger makers with minimal instruction.

Bonus: there are tons of free printable STL accessories available online, like hinges, wheels, and brackets, that extend what learners can do and invite tinkering with 3D printing alongside cardboard.

Why we love it at SCI:
These intuitive tools are a great way to work on STEM concepts with the whole family!

3DUX Connector Kits

Best for: Structured builds, prompts

3DUX kits work well to connect everyday cardboard box pieces at 90, 60, 120, and 180 degree angles. They’re a great way to introduce angles and basic engineering using recycled cardboard.

We often pair these with building prompts—design an insect, construct a city skyline, engineer a bridge—and let learners collaborate their way to a solution. The connectors help structures feel sturdy, which is especially encouraging for learners who might otherwise get discouraged when things fall apart.

Why we love it at SCI:
We love these for repetitive or patterned builds, like a 3D maze or parking garage for robot cars.

Fiskars Power Shears

Best for: Adult prep, clean cuts

These scissors are a quiet MVP in our spaces.

Cardboard can be tough on regular scissors, and these make cutting smooth and predictable, perfect for teachers, facilitators, or caregivers prepping materials ahead of time. They’re especially helpful when setting up activities for smaller hands.

Why we love them at SCI:
They cut cardboard so much more easily than regular scissors!

Glowforge Laser Cutters

Best for: Precision parts, advanced making

We have two Glowforge laser cutters, and while we’ll be honest, they’re expensive and take time to set up, they’re incredibly powerful once running.

We cut cardboard on the laser all the time: custom shapes, puzzle pieces, tactile components, layered diagrams, and parts that would be tedious or inconsistent by hand. Laser-cut cardboard lets us add precision without losing the warmth and accessibility of the material.

If owning one isn’t realistic, laser cutters can often be found in community maker spaces, like the Des Moines Central Library Tech Central or right here in our Innovation Lab!

Why we love them at SCI:
They unlock repeatable, high-quality components that support deeper learning experiences.

Cool Tool Low-Temp Glue Gun

Best for: Younger makers, confidence-building

Many people don’t realize that low-temperature glue guns exist—and once they do, it opens up a whole new world of making for younger learners.

There are several brands available, but the AdTech Cool Tool Kit is designed specifically with smaller hands in mind. The glue gun runs at a lower temperature than standard models, which significantly reduces the risk of burns while still providing enough hold for cardboard, paper, and lightweight materials. That makes it a fantastic option for elementary-aged makers who are ready to move beyond tape but aren’t quite ready for high-temp tools.

We use low-temp glue guns when learners need to affix parts quickly. It helps keep momentum going and supports independence, which is a big win in busy maker spaces.They work well with cardboard, but we often use them with fabric as an alternative to the sewing machines during textile crafting sessions.

Why we love it at SCI:
It introduces adhesive tools safely, builds maker confidence, and bridges the gap between simple materials and more complex construction.

Chomp Saw

Best for: Tool confidence, independence, safety-first cutting

We don’t own a Chomp Saw at SCI, but we’ve used them and understand their value. The Chomp Saw is a great way to introduce learners to independent tool use. Kids can operate it on their own with clear safety boundaries, which builds confidence and responsibility.

There are limitations, it doesn’t handle very thick cardboard well, and it’s a pricier option for a tool that can only be used by one person at a time, but for the right material, it’s a solid addition to a tool lineup.

Why we love it at SCI:
It expands the range of tools kids feel capable using on their own.

Cardboard, Empowered

The Empowered Tools theme reminds us that it’s not about choosing between high-tech or low-tech—it’s about using the right tools to amplify creativity, curiosity, and confidence. Cardboard proves this every week in our Innovation Lab. Whether learners are turning a box into an insect, a city, a costume, or a prototype, these tools help ideas take shape and invite makers to see themselves as capable creators.

We invite you to explore these tools with us—at the Science Center of Iowa, in your classroom or home, or at the Des Moines Mini Maker Faire. Try something new, mix simple materials with powerful tools, and discover how even the most ordinary cardboard can become extraordinary when creativity is empowered.

AI for Makers: Activating Ideas

AI isn’t a cheat code, it’s one of the most powerful tools in the maker’s toolkit. Using AI to fill in your knowledge and ability gaps, rather than just to cover those gaps, can help round out the skills you need to be successful as a creative. Whether you’re an artist, engineer, or small business owner, AI can help you design faster, test smarter, and share your work with the world. You might already be using AI in ways you don’t even notice.

Here are a few ways AI is reshaping what’s possible for makers and entrepreneurs:

1. Writing Product Descriptions and Marketing Copy

If you sell your creations online, AI can help you describe them clearly and creatively. Tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, or Shopify’s built-in AI writer can generate compelling product descriptions, headlines, and social media posts. That means less time staring at a blank page and more time actually making. Offloading the tasks that you find tedious can remove barriers that get in the way of your progress.

Example: Upload a photo of your original design, and AI can write descriptions that highlight its materials, inspiration, and uniqueness. Play with the output and adjust the tone to suit your brand.

2. Collaborating as a Creative Partner

AI can be a great collaborator for brainstorming ideas, refining designs, or suggesting new directions. Even the process of explaining your idea to an LLM like ChatGPT can help clarify your thoughts, and asking a chatbot to interpret your explanation can help reveal if your vision is coming across as you anticipate it will. Remember that most LLMs are designed to be highly encouraging and “tell you what you want to hear,” so make sure you’re taking its feedback with a grain of salt and remaining appropriately critical of your own work.

Example: Makers are using AI image tools to explore patterns for laser cutting, color palettes for resin art, or geometric variations for jewelry design — often finding inspiration they wouldn’t have reached on their own.

3. Running Testing Algorithms and Simulations

When scaling up a product or testing different configurations, AI can help run simulations or analyze performance data. Machine learning algorithms can reveal which designs or materials work best before you ever commit to a large production run. Again, it’s important to check the work before using AI-driven conclusions to make big decisions.

Example: Board game designers can use AI to test and compare thousands of outcomes based on different configurations of game pieces. They would also need to run playtests with humans to verify the playability and fun-factor of the game, but they can save time by using math to narrow down some design aspects.

4. Optimizing and Customizing Designs

AI design tools can help makers fine-tune projects for strength, material use, and aesthetics — or even customize designs for individual customers. It’s especially helpful for people running small-batch production or creating one-of-a-kind items.

Example: An AI-assisted CAD program can automatically adjust a lamp design to use less filament or tailor-fit a wearable device for someone’s exact measurements, speeding up prototyping and reducing waste.

5. Filling in the Gaps for Small-Scale Entrepreneurs

Every maker hits a barrier — maybe it’s branding, coding, data analysis, or product testing. AI can bridge those gaps. It can help write business plans, generate pricing comparisons, or even draft customer emails. It doesn’t replace the human behind the idea; it just removes the friction between inspiration and execution.

Example: A maker may be skilled in 3D CAD but inexperienced in graphic design. Maybe they mock up a draft graphic for social media and ask ChatGPT to critique it from the perspective of a professional graphic designer. After considering and implementing suggestions, they’ll have a better design and a better idea of how to approach future designs.

The Big Picture

For makers, AI is not a replacement for creativity, it’s an amplifier! It helps turn sketches into prototypes, prototypes into products, and products into sustainable ventures.

The maker movement has always been about access to tools, ideas, and opportunity. AI is simply the next tool on that workbench.

Try It: AI Tools for Makers

  • ChatGPT – Generate product descriptions, marketing copy, or design ideas.
  • Canva Magic Studio – Create logos, packaging mockups, and promotional materials with simple prompts.
  • Fusion 360 with AI Assist – Use generative design to optimize strength, material use, and geometry.
  • Midjourney or KREA.ai – Generate concept art, textures, or 2D design references for laser cutting or 3D modeling.
  • Teachable Machine (by Google) – Build simple AI models that respond to motion, sound, or images for interactive projects.

Want to learn more about the modern tools Makers are using to bring help their creativity take shape? Visit the 2026 Des Moines Mini Maker Faire at the Science Center of Iowa on April 11th. This year’s theme is Empowered Tools: how evolving and traditional tools help creatives bring their ideas to life!

Want to be an exhibitor at this year’s Maker Faire? Applications are open now through March 11th, 2026.