A Month of Making
Welcome to A Month of Making - a month dedicated to sustainability, creativity and handmade Christmas gifts. From 15 November to 19 December 2021, we will be releasing a series of instructional DIY gift-making videos, created by makers from the world of STEM, featuring a variety of handmade models, machines, games and toys to help inspire your creativity this Christmas.
Prize draw
We have ten copies of the book "Mr Shaha’s Marvellous Machines" by Alom Shaha to give away to ten lucky makers! To enter the prize draw, create a handmade Christmas gift, take a photo or video of the finished product and post it on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #AMonthOfMaking between 15 November and 19 December 2021. Ten winners will be picked at random to receive a copy of the book.
QEPrize Ambassador Dave Adkins demonstrates how to make a rubber band slingshot, with a Christmas tree target.
Materials expert Mark Miodownik demonstrates how to use molten pewter to cast small objects that would make great Christmas gifts.
Make your very own animation machine, called a zoetrope, with watchmaking duo Craig and Rebecca Struthers.
QEPrize Ambassador Beth Fitzpatrick demonstrates how to make homemade candy canes, with a sprinkling of systems engineering.
Join Sarah Kuklewicz from the Brunel Museum to make a pompom snowman using some cardboard and yarn.
Suze Kundu shows us how to make a delicious chocolatey treat that your friends and family will love.
QEPrize Ambassador Stephanie Houser demonstrates how to make a pulley snack delivery system using simple materials.
Master a new craft and learn to make this crochet coaster! Follow along with Marisa Giannasi as she breaks down the steps.
Create a catapult with special effects technician Hannah, using lolly sticks and string!
Make a tiny automaton with Sai Pathmanathan - a miniature machine that fits in a handy gift box!
Create your own Christmas decorations using salt dough! Simple to make and fun to decorate - Ruth Amos shows us how it's done.
Mathematician Katie Steckles shows how to create a braid, which you could make into a bracelet, keyring or even a bow for Christmas wrapping.
Science magician Dr Matt Pritchard demonstrates how to make a photo illusion card using a concertina folding method.
Make a Christmas wobbler with Duncan Yellowlees! This make uses a simple pendulum made out of a paper cup and a straw.
Paul Hocker from London Play explains how to make some simple musical instruments using things you will find around your home.
Impress your loved ones with this fun fizzing Christmas tree, as demonstrated by explosions expert Renée Watson.
Follow along with Millie Heather to create an infinity photo cube - a great personalised gift for loved ones.
Hana Ayoob demonstrates how to make a decorative mobile using a stick, some cardboard and some string.
Engineering presenter and pyrotechnician Fran Scott explains how to mix up a pot of festive snot slime - the perfect gruesome gift!
Physics teacher and author Alom Shaha demonstrates how to make a fun and educational game called Sinkeroo.