Possible TV show filmed at Wellington Middle School

October 14, 2009

By Brenda Rader Mross

The Wellington

 

Who wouldn’t appreciate a television show celebrating those who build things for the good of others? Who knows if that nutty next door neighbor with his crazy contraption could indeed be the next Einstein or Edison?

Students at Wellington (Colorado) Middle School participating in the “Eagle After Hours” after-school program Sept. 22 know who Wellington’s groundbreaking, goodhearted inventor is. And they are excited they may be featured on national television with local resident Gary Turell on a proposed program called “Backyard Genius.”

Turell has a “real” job: he is an automation engineer who consults with manufacturing companies to help things run “better, faster and cheaper.” Turell also has a bona fide passion: demonstrating to children how to take apart everyday electronic gizmos to make new and unique creations, like robotic “junkbots.”

“I stopped getting toys as Christmas presents when I was a kid, and started getting socks instead,” the 40-year-old said with a laugh. “I would have a toy for five minutes before I would have it taken apart to find out how it works.”

Turell turned his unquenchable curiosity into a decade-long series of workshops at the Discovery Center in Fort Collins that ran until May. Programming changes forced an end to “Take Apart Day” until the producers of “Backyard Genius” discovered Turell via a tip from a former colleague there.

“There are so many incredible people doing amazing things, and Gary’s one of them,” said Kate Kosakowski, whose daughter serendipitously met Ryan Parker last March.

Parker is the brains behind “Backyard Genius.” His father, Rob Parker, is the inspiration for what now exists only as “webisodes.” However, if Parker and co-host Bill LeVasseur have their way — and they have a way of not giving up — “Backyard Genius” may soon be coming to broadcast television.

“We are not going away,” the younger Parker stated. “We’ve been talking to the Discovery Channel founder (John Hendricks). It could be ABC, NBC.”

Parker and LeVasseur already have several shows “in the can,” professionally produced, awaiting airdates.

A visit to www.BackyardGenius.com turned up 13 titles of episodes, from “Mosquito Busters” in which a 71-year-old disabled American rancher devises scrap metal bird condos for mosquito-eating Blue Martins to help stop the spread of West Nile Virus, to “Techno Rabbit” wherein Japanese mechanical rodents give new meaning to spreading love.

WMS has been promised a DVD of Turell’s “Take Apart Day,” which was filmed entirely on-site, as well as a personal screening “around the first of the year.”

LeVasseur encouraged students to keep checking the web site, which is currently announcing new episodes coming Nov. 1. It invites users to “follow our hosts as they discover amazing inventors from all walks of life who actively solve problems in the world through passion and innovation.”

Parker describes “Backyard Genius” this way: “It’s like ‘Extreme Makeover’ with a ‘Dirty Jobs’ kind of feel.”

“Really, ‘Backyard Genius’ is a culmination of growing up on a ranch (near Golden),” he said. “Mom and Dad didn’t have the resources to buy new, so they would build it or fix it.”

Rob “Padre” Parker was a welder with Coors Brewing Co. He now has 30 inventions to his credit — the most well-known of which is a hoist that elevates injured horses off the ground. Padre Parker often accompanies his son on location, including last month’s Wellington shoot.

“What we did back on the ranch was pretty much makeshift,” explained the elder Parker. “I had Ryan totally rebuild a car and then surprised him with a truck for his 16th birthday. I wanted him to know firsthand what it took.”

While Ryan Parker was at Regis University, he decided to apply his love for volunteerism to everyday life, which led to a career in marketing and public relations.

“Farm Boy” Parker, 33, met “Model” LeVasseur, 37, at a “meet and greet schmoozer,” and realized they had great chemistry.

Shortly thereafter “Backyard Genius” was born as what Parker termed “a values-based show targeted toward a multi-generational audience.” According to the web site, “Backyard Genius” seeks to help viewers in “understanding similarities in other cultures around globe, as Ryan and Bill go to new places, experience local traditions, and see how life can be improved and enjoyed with some action and a little creativity.”

“Our mission is to find people unheard of and recognize their talents,” Parker said of their two-year quest. “We seek to inspire the younger generation to think outside the box. Anybody can be a backyard genius.”

Turell hesitates at being associated with the word genius.

“Being interviewed and hearing flattering things is nice,” he said, “but I’m really more excited about talking to Michael Martin (WMS assistant principal) about being part of the after-school program.”

Turell brought in boxes of devices — computers, flat screens, VCRs, fax machines, blenders and coffeemakers donated to Eco-Thrift in Fort Collins — for kids to deconstruct.

“This is the fun part,” noted the CSU graduate, adding that their efforts help break down items for recycling. “Kids hear discouraging words: ‘Don’t touch it; don’t break it.’ They can’t understand how it works. But please don’t take apart your parents’ stuff. They’ll be calling me!”

About an hour later, Turell wired pieces and parts into a series circuit that went from a battery into a light into a fan into a speaker.

“We have no idea when the show will be on,” he told his participatory audience under the tutelage of teachers Vicky Jordan and Lindsay Hacker. “It could be channel one or 800 — or any in between.”

Brainiacs who suspect they may be “Backyard Genius” material may send a five-minute DVD to Ryan J. Parker, Backyard Genius Show, 1244 Berganot Trail, Castle Rock CO 80108.