"Even so, a casual observer who dropped in at the beginning of the show and then again at the end would find it hard to believe that simple tools and materials such as saws and wood could, in such a short time, produce miniature working cranes - and smiling and delighted children. Unless there was some kind of magic at work.
And in a way there is the magic, sparked by creativity and good humour, which puts new skills in the hands and memories in the minds of a classful of children."Douglas Blane - TES Scotland

Closing paragraphs of an article prompted by a visit to a Rude Mechanicals workshop. The class concerned was P3/4 of Fallin Primary School, Stirlingshire.
The workshop was part of the outreach of the Edinburgh International Science Festival

Excellent practical course - please can we have more of these courses!
The course was great fun, informative and very well presented.
Super course - could have spent longer.
Informative and entertaining.
Plenty of ideas to use on current ES topic (toys), and useful tips to carry out practical work. Thank You!
From evaluation returns - Early Years Course - Edinburgh - May 2001

Thanks for a fab day yesterday. Colleagues inspired by what they have seen & heard from me.
From Barbara - Email after an INSET day/

Most refreshing to have people aware of the realities of the classroom and the sometimes unreal expectations of the Guidelines
Entertaning and also very informative. Really felt as if I could go and do this tomorrow.
I made a musical instrument, and I have no aptitude at all!

Following a twilight course where we made a one-string fiddle.

After a In-service training course for teachers that we ran last year for a Scottish Education Authority we were sent the following list of comments assembled from the participants' evaluations of the day.

A simple straightforward introduction to the subject
Comment on the whole day - GREAT
Very useful ideas that we CAN use in the classroom!
It was an excellent day, full of useful practical advice, with relevant material to jog the memory.
Excellent presentation, which while being light-hearted in style helped enormously.
Found it very friendly and of great use in the classroom.
Enjoyable and informative.
Well presented.
Very practical, clear and helpful. Talked about realistic aspirations then showed how to achieve them. Interesting and amusing.
Rates with Peter Patilla as an in-service.
Absolutely brilliant from start to finish.
Very realistic. All worthwhile.
This was lots of fun. Made technology teaching much less scary.
Sensible, down to earth comments, obviously made by people who know exactly how children think, and how teachers try to implement technology.
Inspiring! Really useful ideas that would appear to really stand a chance of working. I'm looking forward to getting back in the classroom to give it a go.
I've never been late for my lunch at an in-service before - at least voluntarily!
Practical, sensible and idiot proof.
Excellent! Very practical, simple and satisfying in the results!
Spot on, ideas that work.
Refreshingly presented, interesting and very relevant.
Something that will be used in school. Presenters were realistic and professional.
Great - realistic - practical - interesting - FUN.
Very easy to understand and motivational.
Inspiring - really useful ideas.
Can we have follow-ups on the same?
All worthwhile - when will the follow up session be? Best in-service I've attended.
These guys are worth their money! Thank you. Most enjoyable, excellent presentation. Thank you.

- They must have caught us on a good day!!