MISSION:
Mat Bevel Company strengthens creative and mechanical capacity by engaging people in theater, kinetic art and hands-on construction, a uniquely human ability that shapes how we build and care for our world.
Our Kinetics Approach
Kinetics guides this work. As people design and build mechanical models, they reconnect with how physical systems move, interact and respond—a form of embodied understanding increasingly absent from everyday life. When ideas take physical form, participants experience their ability to create functional, expressive and meaningful change.
Our World-Building Programs
To fulfill this mission, Mat Bevel Company delivers two immersive world-building programs that integrate theater, kinetic art and hands-on making: World of Beveldom and The Universe Within STEAM curriculum. These experiences open new ways of learning and participation, supporting creative confidence, technical skill and meaningful contribution within individuals, families and communities.
Why This Matters
Our work dispels a common myth that creative genius belongs to only a few. Research by Dr. George Land shows that while most people begin life with strong creative capacity, it often diminishes without opportunities to imagine, build and experiment. Through our programs, people rediscover their creative potential to solve problems, generate original ideas and invent things that improve lives, communities and the world.
Producing and presenting original fine art.
Bevel Butterfly
Sharka
Thought Launcher
Americana Duck
Coffee Guru
Hemo the 7 Foot Mosquito
Poetic Fool
Admirable Bevel
Teaching the next generation of youth how to invent and create.
The Universe Within is an introduction to world-building that sparks the inherent genius in kids (and adults!). Students create positive superhero characters who tackle major environmental or social issues in their imagined worlds. Throughout the course, they learn how to engineer strong structures using cardboard and attachment mechanisms as they construct functional tools and headdresses for their characters.
We currently have three units available to schools, camps, museums, libraries and families: Headgear of Heroes (geometry), The Art of Kinetics (Physics) and The Power of Electricity (electricity). A fourth unit called Making Music is underway.
There are four essential components to The Universe Within multimedia curriculum:
- Opening 3-minute videos with inspiration from Beveldom, instructions by Math Professor Dr. Bayly and demonstrations by peer mentors
- The User Guidebook with all learning objectives, success criteria, assignments, standard alignment and resources
- The Daily Doodle student notebook with all sequential worksheets
- STEAM kits
Watch One Of The Opening Videos!
Lessons open with a 3-minute video filled with inspiration and instructions by an animated character of math Professor Dr. Bayly and peer demonstrations! For more information, contact Paula Schaper: 520-604-6273 or pschaper@matbevelcompany.org.
Watch Our Progress!
Mat Bevel Company is using the museum as the set for filming a virtual tour, TV shows and blended and e-learning editions The Universe Within curriculum. To watch our progress and get videos of the museum delivered to your inbox, sign up for our monthly newsletter, The Junk Evangelist.
Mat Bevel Company Updates
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Sitting and smiling as a Mexican spotted owl snaps Eric’s photo in the Gila National Forest.AtoZec Environmental Consulting, founded by wildlife biologist and found-object artist Eric Herman, blends science, art and intuition in service of the natural world....
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Raise The Bar & Mat Bevel Company: Supporting Quality Youth STEAM Programming For Rural Communities.
The Raise the Bar Team who supports Mat Bevel Company's work and youth programming for rural communities. In 2009, Jennifer Tersigni founded her company Raise the Bar Consulting to provide support for nonprofits that are doing great work in communities. The company...
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Mat Bevel Store
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The Universe Within
Get The Universe Within STEAM world-building curriculum.
Thanks to our major supporters!
