Making Stuff

MAKING STUFF is a four-part PBS prime-time television series from the award-winning producers of NOVA, developed in partnership with the Materials Research Society. Slated to air in November 2010, MAKING STUFF will present dramatic stories about the materials that are transforming our world. From the invention of ancient bronze to today’s “smart” materials and semiconductors, Making Stuff will show how materials have changed history and are continuing to shape our future.

While reports on “smart materials” or “bionic humans” are familiar enough from TV news and magazine shows, Stuff will be the first documentary to provide the basic science behind these and many other technology breakthroughs. Each of the four one-hour public television programs – Stronger, Smaller, Smarter, and Cleaner – will embrace developments in traditional and emerging materials as well as current research in rapidly expanding fields such as nanotechnology and biomaterials. This series will also explore the human stories that helped shape important breakthroughs in the past – the visionary talent, sheer luck, and dogged determination that turned a wild idea into a useful material. (We invite you to view an article from the MRS Bulletin regarding MRS’ involvement with this project.)

Education Outreach Component

MAKING STUFF is preparing a nation-wide education outreach campaign about the materials that are transforming our world and is looking for for public institutions to join us, preferably as Community Coalitions, in an entertaining and educational exploration. Using the turnkey MAKING STUFF resources, each local or regional institution or partnership can host public events, demonstrations, workshops, and science cafes for youth, families, young adults, educators, engineers, and scientists to come together and explore materials science.  (We invite you to view a list of selected activities, materials and events.) Stay tuned to this site for the posting of the MAKING STUFF resource toolkit and other resource material information.

Also, please accept our invitation to seek out community partnerships and join us as we embark on this remarkable science & technology exploration. View this list for possible coalition partners in your community.

If you have any questions or need help making local connections to other groups in your community, contact:

• Richard Souza (MRS)
• Thea Sahr at WGBH
• Eric Marshall (MRS)  

We invite you to join us in a dynamic science & technology program designed to entice young people and families into the world of materials science.

Major funding for MAKING STUFF is provided by the National Science Foundation. Funding for NOVA is provided by PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; ExxonMobil; David H. Koch; and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute