Same procedure as every year... In the sandbox it's like being on the beach in Westkapelle.

And they're busy building in Archimedes' Workshop. This year, the goal is to create a maze.

For that, the available materials must first be inspected.

Mmmm, I wonder what these spirals could be used for.
Then plans are drawn up.

Then plans are made.

It soon becomes clear: the maze first needs a basic structure. For this, frames are built from wooden slats and wide strips of film are added. Hey presto – the wall is finished!

The walls are erected and connected to each other so that they can't fall over.

The tool most in demand is the electric screwdriver.

As I said ....

Now it's time to work on the details. For months, the team at the Bleiberger Fabrik has been collecting objects that nobody wants anymore. The items are carefully worked ...

... then put into the maze ...

... or onto someone's head.

A young Archimedean gets herself a wheel from the material stockpile.

And like all the other materials, the wheel is imaginatively repurposed.

All the wheels turn when you operate the pedal, which has now become a crank handle. And there was also a cute "Weel of Forchune".

A garden hose becomes a telephone speaking tube. Works perfectly.

Something noisy is being made here ...

... and something arty here.

The kids have definitely got the concept of mobility without combustion engines.

Plenty of work has been done in the Workshop. Time to hang the gloves on a nail.

And chill out.

The end result is something to be proud of. Suddenly there's a completely new view of the good old Cathedral.

And this view is somehow psychedelic.

That's because of the coloured plastic windows.

Wind chimes beneath blue skies.

This nasty plastic waste has been transformed into a wonderful flower garland.

While the young Archimedeans take a break, the kids from the sandbox check out the maze. No problem with that. After all, the concept was to create an "interactive maze" – and that means the kids can try out everything the Archimedeans have built ...

... at their own risk, of course ;-) Translation: "Sit on this at your own risk (dedly)!"

There are plenty of musical instruments to discover: the "Noise-o-Mat", for example. And there's even a "Rattle Room".

More musical features: a drum set made of old pans and a xylophone made of plastic pipes.

Something to please the hearts of young and old percussionists alike.

Time to beat the drum ...

... or hit the keys. (Weird keypad – and no screen to swipe, either.)

Some days were so hot that shade was urgently needed. And then, for a change, it rained cats and dogs. Well, Archimedes' Sandbox is an open-air event, after all! But luckily, most of the time the weather was "sandbox-compatible".

Archimedes' Sandbox – 18th July to 4th August 2019

A big "thank you" to everyone who helped make the 2019 Archimedes' Sandbox the wonderful experience it turned out to be!
And to all the visitors – big and small – who once again played their part in creating a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

We're already looking forward to next year.

Your Archimedeanser

05.08.2019