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Fun with nature's building blocks

Bend architect invents a toy based on a scientific riddle

By Anna Sowa / The Bulletin

Published: December 04. 2007 4:00AM PST

Mark Burginger expects most children’s eyes to glaze over when they hear terms like “nanotechnology” and “quantum mechanics.” A toy he invented aims to change that.

Burginger, a self-employed architect in Bend, invented Qubits, an educational toy meant to teach children about myriad science and math concepts, including tetrahedrons, which are among the main building blocks of nature. The toy is a modular element based on a triangle, Burginger said, which means it is something that can easily be reproduced and used to make much larger structures.

Qubits stands for quantum bits, Burginger says, which are a unit of measurement in the realm of science that includes the development of semiconductors used to make the technology of cell phones or computers.

“(Qubits) are based on the geometry of the snowflake,” Burginger said, seated next to what will become a 5-foot-wide snowflake made of gray Qubits. “That has been a riddle to scientists for hundreds of years.”

Just as coal can become diamonds when its atoms are rearranged, Burginger says Qubits helps children understand the possibilities in rearranging nature’s building blocks.

“I always want to associate Qubits with science,” he said. “That’s what makes my toy different from everybody else’s.”

The soft, plastic pieces can be used like Legos or Lincoln Logs to build bridges, snowflakes, globes and other geometrical structures. They come in four colors, soon to be six, in 150-piece packs that retail for $39.95.

Burginger patented his invention in 2006, he said, moving to Bend from Poway, Calif., roughly six months ago for Central Oregon’s oft-mentioned quality of life. From his home, Burginger heads all the operations of his small entrepreneurial business, from product development to sales. He began distributing the toys a few weeks ago and already says he’s nearly sold out the 100 kits with which he started. He distributes primarily on his Web site, www.qubits.com.

Qubits are made in China, Burginger said, out of everyday plastic, no lead. He recommends the toy for ages 7 and above.

Q: How did you come up with the idea and design for Qubits?

A: The geometric shapes I invented when I was 18. I patented the idea in 2006 and designed a children’s toy out of it. I think this is the best way to get new ideas out there for children to pursue in their career — this maybe can introduce them to something they can do later in life like engineering, chemistry or architecture.

My training as an architect allowed me to do a lot of things with this. I was able to design a 3-D Qubit piece on the computer, soon devising prototypes and then working with a plastics company in San Diego that injected the prototype molds with plastic.

Q: What makes you think a toy will teach children these complex subjects?

A: I think math and science can be intimidating mentally, but if you can put something in the hands of a child, they will be able to comprehend things better and have more fun.

Q: How are you involved with promoting the toy?

A: I submitted the Qubits in a competition called the Buckminster Fuller Challenge (a yearly competition for an invention that has “significant potential to solve humanity’s most pressing problems in the shortest possible time while enhancing the Earth’s ecological integrity,” according to the competition’s Web site).

The competition is being judged right now. If I win, I’ll take the prize money of $100,000 and give 3,500 Qubits construction kits to teachers at various public and private schools throughout the country.

My daughter, Hayley, goes to Cascade Middle School, and (today) I will go in to Greg Kettner’s sixth grade science class to do a basic introduction to geometry in science with the children building hands-on structures using Qubits.

I’m also attending toy shows — I’m going to one in Pomona (Calif.) in March. Those are where retailers see your wares and then can order them.

Other than that, I just market through my Web site.

Q: Where do you see this toy’s development leading?

A: I have lots of ideas like (robotics) that can be applied to the Qubits, even hinged connectors.

For now, I’m just concentrating on promoting the toy in any way I can afford to and see where it leads.

Q: What’s it like to see your science hobby turn into a marketable invention?

A: It feels great. For me, it was Lincoln Logs — that’s what inspired me to go into architecture. Hopefully these will inspire kids, too.

Anna Sowa can be reached at 383-0304 or asowa@bendbulletin.com.

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