Welcome to the Tinkerstruct Insider!

300 NAND Boards at Bristol University

Boolean algebra is an important concept in computer architecture, and is first introduced in the form of logic gates and logic diagrams in GCSEs. By A-Level and at university, it is often taught in the form of pen and paper, maths-based exercises. This is far removed from its practical application in microprocessor design. 300 Tinkerstruct NANDBoards are being used at Bristol University in their Computer Architecture course by helping students intuitively use Boolean algebra concepts, acting almost like a “Boolean algebra calculator” for connecting different types of logic gates.

The link below shows a mini-tutorial from Bristol University of the previous generation NANDBoard:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJDXp7yXp-w&t=80s

Moving Away from AI with Meep and Bleep

I first became acquainted with AI during my PhD while developing solvers for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). My goal was to create faster and more accurate simulations for modeling the combustion of alternative fuels. To me, AI and data science were simply collections of Python libraries that could enhance my CFD simulations—using a neural network to replace gigabytes of pre-calculated combustion equation source terms. At the time, AI had already existed in commercial CFD software for many years, for example the in the series of chemical reactor network generation and solver speed up methods in ANSYS Packages and STAR-CCM++.

Even back then, the performance was good for most general cases but multiple correction factors had to be applied to adjust edge cases and there were certain fuels and conditions were not well reproduced. Compared to how I had seen AI perform in CFD solvers, the rapid emergence of ChatGPT and other commercial neural network-based software felt astonishing and almost too good to be true. Nevertheless, when I was building Tinkerstruct, I was eager to explore the numerous generative AI tools available for creating illustrations for Tinkerstruct workbooks. Illustrated workbooks for explaining concepts were reminiscent of my childhood memories of reading the Horrible History and Horrible Science series, and I wanted to see if this was a feeling that could be recreated in the Tinkerstruct kits.

For illustration, one of the most recommended tools among digital artists is Stable Diffusion. Its main advantage lies in the abundance of resources available, including pre-trained endpoints specific to certain character types in CivitAI, LORA for styling, and various tools and support for correction such as face restoration and inpainting.

Despite AWS training seminars advertising that how anatomically accurate Stability Diffusion illustrations have become, even directly copying prompts and settings directly from Citival AI results in an incorrect image that, though eerily similar to the original, needs significant retouching and anatomical correction.

Canva is another popular tool, especially for its coupling between mockups for printing and its AI images. Online tutorials have shown that placing “seed number xxxx” at the start of prompts with a specific character description can help you retain the same character throughout. Testing this has shown that this is partially possible for generic characters - “Sophie, an office worker in a white blouse and pencil skirt, giving a powerpoint presentation” can sometimes, by sheer luck and the power of the “show more like this” become a repatable prompt, however, consistency across multiple prompts for unique character designs is almost impossible without model training.

At some point three hours into my prompt generation, having tried all possible combinations of: “negative: hands, deformed, extra limbs” it became aparent that its more time consuming and harder to use AI than companies would have us believe. Of course, the AI productions were cleaner, more professional and yet it was obvious that they were created by a computer. Inconsistency across prompts in colour schemes, art style, anatomical inaccuracy, with eerie yet unremarkable faces and character designs meant much of the beauty of the illustration had been lost in the algorithm.

Looking ahead, I envision that digital art will become akin to calligraphy or handmade jewelry—rare and appreciated for its imperfections—while AI-generated art becomes the standard. Although part of me wonders if my issues with AI are more of a skill issue, but for now, I’ve dusted off my graphics tablet and reinstalled digital art software. The product of not drawing for the last 15 years has not been ideal, it was an absolute treat to hand-illustrate the Tinkerstruct workbooks.

Special Feature: Incredible Achievements from the Team this Quarter

Rhys → Bravely rescued a delivery from under a car in the back of the company garage. Rhys swears that he does not know how the delivery ended up there, but we know that this is the second delivery what has gone missing this quarter. We’re not saying that he’s taken it, but who knows what one man and 1 kilogram of Amazon packaged, biodegradable white packaging paper are capable of?

Alex → A recordholder, having already broken 5 Arduino and Raspberry Pi boards with nothing but his bare hands and the power of UK polypropylene carpet static. This quarter, our superhero has been tasked with making our board tutorial videos, but unfortunately no Tinkerstruct circuit board has ever been able to last an entire way through one of his tutorial videos without blowing out. Though we think he’s a great choice as an electronics tutorial content creator, Marvel has been asking for their Electro stunt double back.

Grants for Schools and Universities

The list below is funding available for schools and universities, we’ve co-compiled from various sources, though please note that not all grants may be revelant or open for applications at this time. In the case of STEM grants, if you’d like to submit an application with Tinkerstruct, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Roman Society offers funding to schools to promote the teaching of Latin and Roman studies. Grants are mainly for purchasing textbooks and resources, but they can also be used for study days – especially if they benefit large numbers of children throughout the year and can be repeated in successive years.

The Radcliffe Trust offers grants principally in 2 sectors: music, and heritage and crafts.

The Football Foundation offers grants for a range of improvements and equipment for football pitches.

The Wolfson Foundation awards grants to state-funded secondary schools and sixth-form colleges to improve the teaching of GCSEs and A-levels in science, computer science, design and technology, art, languages, music and performing arts.

The Garfield Weston Foundation awards grants to educational projects. The foundation also supports arts, community, welfare, youth and environmental projects.

The Royal Society offers grants to schools to carry out climate and biodiversity research projects in partnership with STEM professionals from academia or industry. 

The DfE offers premium payments for chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics teachers in state-funded secondary schools.

The Royal Geographical Society offers funding for geography teachers at secondary level to develop imaginative and creative educational resources with the help of a university collaborator.

The Jerusalem Trust supports the teaching of Christianity within RE by awarding grants to state-funded primary, middle and secondary schools for the purchase of resources

The Classical Association offers grants to schools to support the study of classical topics. It also provides CPD events for school teachers of classical subjects. 

Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies usually offers grants to cover the costs of the development of new courses in Greek, teaching materials, Greek plays and Classics days or conferences.

Youth Music Network offers a wide variety of grants that fund music programmes for children. Take a look at the site to find out which grants you're eligible for and when you'll need to apply. 

The National Lottery Community Fund offers funding to support community projects. Schools must show that their project will involve, and have a positive impact on, the wider community.

Blue Spark Foundation offers grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects that aim to improve the education and development of children.

Benefact Trust awards grants to Christian organisations, including schools, supporting projects that make a positive difference to people and communities.

The Foyle Foundation offers grants to state-funded schools to buy books and equipment for libraries. It may also contribute towards the cost of library software, IT equipment and furniture.

Tesco Community Grants offers funding for projects that focus on food security, children and young people (e.g. breakfast clubs, food banks, library books, etc.).

The UK Community Foundations website has details and links to the 47 accredited community foundations in the UK, each of which has funding streams available that target particular issues in their geographical area.

The Metropolitan Public Gardens Association gives funding and practical assistance to community gardens and green sites across London.

The Nineveh Charitable Trust offers grants to schools and other organisations for UK-based projects that benefit the general public. Education, access and preservation of the countryside are common themes.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual Charitable Trust provides grants for projects that impact rural communities. The trustees meet twice a year to consider applications (normally June and November).

The Tree Council's 'Branching Out' fund is for projects involving young people planting trees, hedges and orchards.

The Primary Awards for Green Education in Schools gives prizes to primary schools for work that promotes environmental education for children aged 5 to 11.

UK-German Connection gives funding to UK schools that have a partnership with a German school. Funding streams usually centre on work-focused programmes, project-based programmes and visits. 

The Daiwa Foundation offers grants to promote and support interaction between the UK and Japan.

The Henry Smith Charity runs a holiday grants programme that aims to provide access to recreational trips or holidays for groups of children aged 13 or under who experience disadvantage or who have disabilities.

The YHA's Educational Breaks Programme can provide support to schools struggling to meet the costs of residential trips. To be eligible, your school must have 20% or more of pupils registered for free school meals or the pupil premium. It also offers similar support to special schools and alternative provision settings.

Music for All offers both individual and community project funding to provide access to musical instruments and lessons.

Happy Days Children's Charity has funding available for day trips and group activity holidays aimed at children and young people with additional needs.

BBC Children in Need – emergency essentials programme is for children and young people who are facing exceptionally difficult circumstances. It funds critical items such as clothing and bedding.

Special schools and colleges can apply to The Wolfson Foundation for capital funding for building refurbishments, new buildings and equipment.

The Clothworkers’ Foundation offers funding towards capital projects. Grants can be used for building renovations, or to purchase fixtures, fittings, equipment or vehicles.

Variety, the children's charity, offers grants for specialist equipment that will directly benefit or support children with disabilities.

The Waterloo Foundation supports schools in Wales to increase STEM skills.