By nature, the arts are aesthetic and designed to connect with our emotions. By contrast, we approach STEM pragmatically. Each discipline represents a skill set that, when combined, can build a bridge or solve a medical dilemma. Indeed, as we cross a bridge, we can marvel at the simplicity and elegance of its design. However, beautiful or not, the purpose of a bridge is to span rivers and valleys, and this practical, pragmatic mindset led me to create Dr. Mark’s STEMusic.

Dr. Mark’s STEMusic is a low-tech, hands-on way of studying the principles that help humans produce sounds and music. While technology is important it cannot replace the kinesthetic experiences that our minds require to understand the laws and principles that govern our physical world. Therefore, these experiences feature practical mechanical design principles using simple machines and have the scientific method embedded into every experience. But the best thing is that they allow for learning outside!

Dr. Mark’s STEMusic begins with sound and not music. Music is the byproduct of combining sounds into rhythmic and melodic patterns. The unsung heroes of the music we passionately listen to are the hands and minds of the craftsman who built the flute we play or the minds that understand airflow and resistance to create a magnificent pipe organ – a remarkable feat of engineering and design. Our mission is to draw attention to the art, design, and craftsmanship required to build musical instruments and, hopefully, inspire the next generation of instrument makers to stand on the shoulders of Martin, Stradivarius, and Steinway.

~Dr. Mark