Passion Of A Maker

PAR KATHLEEN RICE, SPÉCIALISTE DE PROGRAMME PHOTOS SOUMISES

The Sculptor and Storyteller

Mr. Luc Cyr is the perfect portrait of a "maker". Since his childhood, the need to "make" has driven him to create. His interest in design and access to tools and raw materials made production possible throughout the years, and still does to this day.

In his vibrant workshop, an atmosphere of imagination and possibilities captures the attention of every person who walks through the door.

At the doorway, it is possible to pull on a handle (carved in the shape of a duck) to activate the sound of a trumpet, which is in fact an old transport truck horn. What is even more extraordinary is that the sound comes out from a sculpture of a trumpeter that stands at the top of the roof! Awesome, isn't it? And, you should see the gargoyle rain gutter downspout? Just out of this world!

Upon entering, guests' eyes are drawn to a variety of objects that can be seen and appreciated on the wall, on shelves and on the ceiling! Each little corner of the workshop displays a different creation and all the senses are challenged. Luc's grandfather's photo and tools are proudly displayed on the wall, revealing a beautiful part of history, his admiration and his great inspiration!

Sitting in his wheelchair, Luc moves from one corner of the workshop to the other to work with wood. From ideation, he develops sketches, often moving on to gluing boards that will then be used for carving and creating figurines, birds, whales, walking sticks, birdhouses, signs and more. All it takes is an idea, and the artist dives right into his passion and his creative element. On the ceiling, we also find the outline of visitors' hands!

Making with grade 3 students:

On June 6th, grade 3 students from Mrs. Pauline Clair's class from the Centre d’Apprentissage du Haut Madawaska came to the workshop to meet Mr. Luc Cyr, hear his stories and learn important woodworking skills with him. When they arrived, the children's eyes were filled with amazement. A world of imagination and creation was presented to them! In addition, Luc quickly captured their attention with his serene voice and his storytelling talent! Because, you know, Luc loves to share his stories of characters from the past and amusing anecdotes with guests of all ages.

"My grandfather was my idol," Luc Cyr shared with the children. "I started sculpting at your age, inspired by my grandfather's work in his workshop." "Every day after school I would go there."

Beginning with a demonstration of some tools and carving, Luc then invited the children to build their birdhouses. What fun it was for them to take on this challenge using a drill, screws and nails! The collaboration between the students was very important and ensured the completion of the project. It goes without saying that with Luc Cyr, there are no corners cut. Each birdhouse had to be made with patience, precision and care.

They were blue, green and red, these beautiful birdhouses! Each child proudly held his while walking out of the workshop. And, before leaving, Luc offered a beautiful sculpted whistle to each child and adult. Such a precious gift and what a great intergenerational activity, promoting the sharing of passions, knowledge, resources as well as creating friendships!

The exploration of the Meruimticook trail and the installation of birdhouses at Eko Nature Glamping:

While leaving Luc's workshop, the handle was pulled one last time, putting out a loud and now familiar sound! The children then got back on the bus to head to the Eko Nature Glamping in Lac Baker!

Upon arrival, Scott Beaulieu, owner of this nature lodging center welcomed the children and took them for a tour of the domes and a picnic on the patios with the amazing view of the lake. The children then continued with a walk on the Meruimticook Trail to chose the location for their birdhouses, accompanied by Scott and Amélie Tremblay, a passionate biologist and her team from the Société d'aménagement de la Rivière Madawaska. They also had the chance to make many discoveries and learning in nature.

If you happen to pass close to Lac Baker one day, put on your running shoes or hiking boots and go for a hike on the wonderful Meruimticook trail where you'll have the opportunity to appreciate nature and the beautiful and colorful birdhouses made by the grade 3 students from Clair.

The maker movement

The maker movement has a very important role to play in educational reform. According to the theory of "constructionism," the best way to build knowledge and understanding is to construct something that can be shared outside the student's head, (Papert & Harel, 1991), like these birdhouses made by grade 3 students from Clair. Using creative and critical thinking, students get to work collaboratively to explore materials, use tools and equipment, design, build, develop processes, and communicate the merits of their work in unique and exciting ways.

The maker movement also values human passion, capability and the ability to make things happen and solve problems anywhere, anytime. Classrooms that put forward the process of design and making, that includes overcoming challenges, produce students who start to believe they can solve any problem.

So, let’s not wait any longer to value these inspiring makers like Mr Luc Cyr and provide them with opportunities to meet and share with students.

There are no limits to what passionate and engaged people can foster, empower and help accomplish! Isn't this how we will bring positive changes to the world?

Brilliant Labs would like to thank Mr. Luc Cyr for his precious collaboration in making this initiative a success, for his patience in teaching the students as well as for the many hours he spent preparing the material! There is no price to a “maker" sharing his passion! Everything becomes possible! We would also like to thank to Mr. Ben Levasseur from Waska in Clair for the donation of cedar boards as well as Amélie Tremblay the biologist and her team from the Société d'aménagement de la Rivière Madawaska for their support.