Cob: Cob in Schools

[Chuck & Linda]

Hi Mudmeisters,

I provide resources to schools around the country focussing on Team
Building, challenges, Experiential Learning. I would like to get schools
working with Cob in a variety of different ways. I have posted a brainstorm
of potential cob uses. I am thinking mostly small amounts of cob at first. I
would love to have anybody's ideas that would expand on this list of ideas.
I am happy to correspond on or off the list, if the group considers this off
topic. Some of my descriptions are very brief and they relate to challenges
we provide, so some of it may not be clear to you. My site is
www.bminet.com/lei  My hopes are to get more of my business over time
focussed on Natural building, permaculture and other sustainable arenas.


Suggested activities:

1.Hand sculpt a symbol of their experiences(learnings, insights to remember
etc).
2.Create. Break the group into two teams and have each team design a
challenge for the other team with cob.
3.Bridge it- Modified to create a bridge to each other between a hanging
tarp. Also other objects could be created that need to mirror what is being
created on the other side of the tarp. Various communication barriers are
bestowed upon the teams.
4. Build the tallest, strongest most beautiful tower or building- variation
build the tallest tower possible.
5.Modeling charades. Use cob to start creating an image of an object, or
symbol or song
6.Make useful object for each student to take home, inscribe an important
phrase, or words onto the object such as mug, plate, bowl. Seal the surface
with some a safe sealant. If they have access to kiln they could be fired.
7.Build a model school and have students determine everything from design to
construction, to school rules, budget, and curriculum.
8. Build cob furniture for school grounds
9. Design and build cob and or wattle & daub bird house.
10. Students brainstorm list of useful items that could be used in the
classroom or school, the items are prioritized based on usefulness and
worked on cooperatively
11. Create a symbol from cob that reflects how the group sees you, could be
an animal. Make it the size of a pin or necklace pendant. Attach pin to back
of object before it sets up/dries.
12. Have students read up on cob ovens and then make one on the school or
facility grounds. Of course then have them bake bread, cookies, and pizzas.
13. Object sculptures; integrate various materials into a sculpture. Large
and small.
14. Bring a product to market. Have students design a product, build a
prototype and develop a simple business plan.
15. Create an object decided upon by the facilitator in a limited time with
physical handicaps assigned (blindfolded, mute, one arm).
16. Using Cob the group needs to transport a set of marbles from point a
into a receptacle of your choice without the group carrying the marbles or
standing in the space between point a and the receptacle.
17. Make a natural milk paint and decorate items listed above.

Ideas? Feedback?

Chuck