Construction Product a Learning Tool for Kids
By Loran Lewis
Published: April 6, 2016
Construction is under way at the Willits Kids Club.
On March 30, Richard Jergenson with Grid Beam in Willits unloaded 600 feet of construction materials at the Kids Club that follows on the concepts of an Erector Set, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs and Legos, but with more grown-up applications.
“It’s great for helping kids learn construction, even creativity,” said Tristan Cockrall, a teacher’s aide at Kids Club who also dabbles in construction himself. “If you mess something up, you can always start again.”
“Science, technology and math, it’s all in there,” Richard Jergenson said.
The construction material is a trademarked product called Grid Beams that Jergenson and his brother, Phil, developed. The Grid Beam sticks are 1.5 inches square with rounded corners and ends cut into a variety of modular lengths and drilled with a repeating and intersecting hole pattern every 1.5 inches on all sides.
The only tool needed is a 4 millimeter ball-end hex wrench for quick assembly.
The brothers developed the product and use 100 percent recycled Douglas fir for construction. It is also open source with no patents, meaning others can create their own knock-offs.
“We knew it would get imitated, so in the spirit of sharing, we show other people how to make their own,” says Richard. The brothers have written two books that provide ideas on how to use the material or instructions for specific projects.
Although the kids at the Willits Kids Club will be using the material for play building, creativity and learning, the product itself has more grown-up applications, including custom furniture, storage racks, shelves, chairs, desks, work stations and play houses.
It can even be used to create prototypes that can be made more permanent with the company’s aluminum version.
Richard Jergenson stresses the Grid Beam’s ecological emphasis. He said the shop in Willits is completely solar-powered and off the grid. “All the wood was cut by the sun.”
Grid Beam is preparing to show at the Maker Fair in San Mateo in May. The fair brings together tech enthusiasts, crafters, engineers, science clubs, commercial exhibitors and others for a two-day event. Grid Beam has previously won a Best of Class distinction from among 1,100 exhibitors at the fair.