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From Creative Kid to World-Class Inventor

Posted on April 3, 2017

Inventor David Yakos on why creativity is so importantIn honor of April being National Inventor’s Month, we’ve put together a series of amazing stories and posts on everyday and legendary inventors that are or have made an impact on our lives. This story of a creative kid that grew up to become an even more creative adult, originally appeared on Raising Nerd in November 2016 and it serves as a perfect example of how a little inspiration at a very young age can have a lifetime of influence.

Nerd on!

From Creative Kid to World-Class Inventor

At the age of five, David Yakos’ mom had an instinct about … READ MORE

Creativity

For Creativity: Instructions Need Not Apply – Updated

Posted on March 8, 2017

GirlTastic's - Luv Me S'More Cupcakes

This article on creativity originally appeared on Raising Nerd and has been updated.

My 11-year-old daughter, GirlTastic, has always been creative and continually seeks out new sources of inspiration. She spends hours watching videos on how to craft, paint and bake. She loves baking.

Having a sweet tooth of my own, I love her baking (most of the time).

But GirlTastic isn’t the type to scour a recipe for every little detail. That’s more like this Clueless Dad’s style. Instead, she heads into the pantry and refrigerator to pull out whatever she can find. Then she just wings … READ MORE

Creativity Product & Book Reviews

Nerd Book Review: I Am Jim Henson by Brad Meltzer

Posted on January 17, 2017

Henson2Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets made their debut with Sesame Street on November 10, 1969, just six months after I made my own debut into the world. Like millions of other parents, who are about my age now, I grew up with Jim Henson, Kermit, Grover and Big Bird.

By the time I’d outgrown Sesame Street, Henson’s creatures had moved into prime-time, network TV with The Muppet Show, and helped usher me, laughing and dreaming, through adolescence to adulthood.

The worlds Henson created are ones we’ve all, at one time or another in our lives, wished we could inhabit. … READ MORE

Creativity Men In The Arts Nerds In Real Life

Raising Nerd Profile: The Storyteller

Posted on January 11, 2017

What does it take to write a bestselling thriller? For Brad Meltzer, it takes a passion for storytelling and a whole lot of paranoia.

Meltzer is, of course, the author of #1 New York Times bestselling books The Inner Circle, The Book of Fate, and nine other thrillers. His latest is The House of Secrets, which explores a historical mystery surrounding George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Meltzer’s novels are the perfect combination of history, law, and mystery he loves so much.

But what you might not know is that Meltzer’s writing career goes far beyond just fiction. … READ MORE

Creativity Nerds In Real Life

From Creative Kid to World-Class Inventor

Posted on November 7, 2016

At the age of five, David Yakos’ mom had an instinct about her son’s love for inventing and design. Because of his love for tinkering, she knew he needed space. So, she took an old dryer box, shoved it in the corner and filled it with empty soda bottles, popsicle sticks, and other recycled items and called it “David’s Creative Corner.”

And just like that, a future inventor was inspired.

Today, David Yakos is the Co-Owner, Director of Creativity, Mad-Scientist, and Inventor Extraordinaire of Salient Technologies, a Montana-based product development firm that has invented everything from rocket fuel valves … READ MORE

Creativity

Get Your Kids Hooked on STEM this Halloween with Magical Movie FX

Posted on October 27, 2016

Get Your Kids Hooked on STEM this Halloween with Magical Movie FXRocketteGirl giggled as she watched the gigantic blue and yellow egg hatch. The glowing blue larva emerged, coaxed by two miniature, telepathic fairies in distress and surrounded by the hundreds of worshipping natives on Infant Island.

My almost-9-year-old’s eyes widened.

The kaiju sci-fi classic Mothra flickering on the big screen was about to get interesting.

“Is this real?” she asked, giggling some more.

Moments later, like a bloated torpedo, the animatronic caterpillar was speeding its way across the South Pacific towards mainland Japan to save the captured fairies. I was in hysterics, and it was nice to see that … READ MORE