Mudpies & Butterflies » welding https://lifelearnersla.com Learning Alongside Your Kids in Los Angeles Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:30:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.2 Is 5 years too young for a Career day? https://lifelearnersla.com/2011/10/is-5-too-young-for-a-career-day/ https://lifelearnersla.com/2011/10/is-5-too-young-for-a-career-day/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:44:02 +0000 https://lifelearnersla.com/index.html%3fp=8716.html One of the things I adore about homeschooling, is the absence of glass ceilings on what or where we learn. This week our gaggle of homeschoolers (ages 2-10) were intrigued, inspired and impressed on a tour of WET, the world famous fountain production & design shop that is credited with creating the dancing Fountains of [...]]]> One of the things I adore about homeschooling, is the absence of glass ceilings on what or where we learn.  This week our gaggle of homeschoolers (ages 2-10) were intrigued, inspired and impressed on a tour of WET, IMG_7954the world famous fountain production & design shop that is credited with creating the dancing bellagioFountains of Bellagio, the Mirage Volcano and the World’s Tallest Fountain in Dubai.  It is quite possibly, one of the greatest places to work – as it personifies the new business paradigm of being socially, ecologically and creatively consciousness.  And employs a wider spectrum of talents than even Pixar or Google.  These stylish employees IMG_7958 are encouraged to use the wood shop, foundry and hi-tech goodies for personal projects and hobbies.   WET Design understands that the creative idea is the greatest commodity of our future.   This falls directly in line with our homeschool intent, encouraging our kids to “uncork and run with it” – no matter what that “it” is.  After this tour, IMG_7896my 4-year old daughter asked me about how she could make money as an adult – as WET was the first place she imagined working in.

Our red carpet treatment at WET began with reserved parking and 4 tour guides handing out protective eye-gear.  Entering the first  building we learned that WET designs, develops and fabricates most of their own parts.  tourAnd when machines cut metal it is LOUD.  For many, it was amazing to see machines cutting metal forms – and almost unbelievable and apropos that it was not a blade, but high-pressured hot water mixed with a sand aggregate that cuts designs into metal.   And to follow up the splash of IMG_7903Superhero wIMG_7900IMG_7906ater, the next building we walked into, we witnessed sparks fly as a robotic arm welded fountain parts together. IMG_7914 The red plastic curtain protected our eyes from the brightness of the the sparks which are bright enough to burn your retinas.  We witnessed many designers, engineers, programmers and who knows what else,  at work as we passed through more buildings and more rooms before pausing to watch footage of their work orchestrated to moving music.  That room itself was filled Untitled-1with scale models of existing projects, this one is of a WET production room from their website.

After the machines, the movies, and the models it was now time for the MAGIC of the fountains (and air compressors).  We walked across a giant lawn landscaped with an uber-water molecule towards the entryway of a IMG_7919photowarehouse workshop.  This is where water and fire intermingle.  By hiring pyrotechnic specialists who have worked on movie sets and rock & roll tours and embracing the champagne marathon mindset (uncork and run with it), WET mingles fire, water and music to dazzle the world.   Jason thrilled our group indoors with fire and emptied gallons of water upon our willing volunteers outdoors.IMG_7932

Our warmest thanks goes out to the staff @ WET who shared their magic with us – especially our guides Saban, Emily, Devyn, Stephanie.  A shout also goes to the engineers offering us the welding show on their lunch break, and Jason for giving us the 70+ foot high show that drenched our kids (and some parents)!  And of course, a thousand hugs to our coordinator Kristen for doing all the legwork.  Thank you all!

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