tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41347260097436275582024-02-19T17:44:07.637-08:00make create innovateSee complete documentation at https://makecreateinnovate.blogspot.com/
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-60347802327564786032014-04-12T03:17:00.002-07:002014-04-12T03:17:55.156-07:00Final Project - A Maker Name Badge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpYaI_KSSF2Qvgo4sOhUWrXqVw4WI-KCrHvSdunfonukjouQ7ncx3ESDOVXYO08guVYwXe6hAd7a5KZYice8066OC4CqLv7uzSyb4B0ddnKNTpAgiGeE2ldFgFjtoHHITfq08nUpEb38/s1600/IMG_20140404_202502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpYaI_KSSF2Qvgo4sOhUWrXqVw4WI-KCrHvSdunfonukjouQ7ncx3ESDOVXYO08guVYwXe6hAd7a5KZYice8066OC4CqLv7uzSyb4B0ddnKNTpAgiGeE2ldFgFjtoHHITfq08nUpEb38/s1600/IMG_20140404_202502.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a>In the early planning stages of my final project, I wanted something that was "a walking" billboard promoting the maker spirit. My original thoughts was that it would be some type of e-textile project that would become part of my book bag which I have with me most places. I spent a lot of time playing with this idea as I picked up supplies at Michael's and Walmart. When my Lilypad e-textiles components that I ordered from Sparkfun arrived, I was able to easily get my computer sending schemes to the Lilypad components and start creating circuits using craft materials, conductive thread and various Lilypad components.<br />
The Sparkfun website is filled with tutorials that might be helpful. For getting started with LilyPad e-textiles, I would suggest <a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/introducing-the-lilypad-design-kit" target="_blank">the following series</a>.<br />
<br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Serif', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 11px 25px; padding: 0px;">
<li><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ldk-experiment-1-lighting-up-a-basic-circuit" style="color: #e6321e; text-decoration: none;">LDK Experiment 1: Lighting Up a Basic Circuit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ldk-experiment-2-multiple-led-circuits" style="color: #e6321e; text-decoration: none;">LDK Experiment 2: Multiple LED Circuits</a></li>
<li><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ldk-experiment-3-buttons-and-switches" style="color: #e6321e; text-decoration: none;">LDK Experiment 3: Buttons and Switches</a></li>
<li><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ldk-experiment-3-buttons-and-switches" style="color: #e6321e; text-decoration: none;">LDK Experiment 4: Make your own Button</a></li>
<li><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ldk-experiment-5-make-your-own-switch" style="color: #e6321e; text-decoration: none;">LDK Experiment 5: Make your own Switch</a></li>
<li><a href="https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ldk-experiment-6-microcontroller-circuits" style="color: #e6321e; text-decoration: none;">LDK Experiment 6: Microcontroller Circuits</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
Eventually I decided I wanted to integrate 3D printing with the e-textile components in a way that would start conversations about making. Although the book bag idea seemed fun, the design wasn't jumping out at me. -Then while cleaning out the bus one day, I found some name badges from recent conferences, and it occurred to me that conference name badges are meant to provide just enough information about you to start a conversation - so why not find a way to add some maker elements to a badge holder. Although I had lots of different components, most of which were overkill for this project, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdn.sparkfun.com//assets/parts/7/0/9/0/11364-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://cdn.sparkfun.com//assets/parts/7/0/9/0/11364-01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I settled on augmenting the battery powered basic circuit with a <a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/390" target="_blank">LilyPad Twinkle board</a>. This <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> board actually has an ATtiny microcontroller which is programmed to make LED's you attach blink like fireflys. Although there was no need for programming for this project, I did find <a href="http://hlt.media.mit.edu/?p=1695" target="_blank">lots of advanced user tips</a> for those who wanted to tackle programming the board. The built in firefly effect was going to work just fine for my project (attention getting in a subtle way).</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNKpK7s8pJTAwA4a1W6jXTCitGyR1vx5nmYUyxG9JlGWl-fuAy_rRtXbZmzn0kVxuy9oLc8SK3RGVlScF5C87HWi1xCEG_ogZrvedXBPIbUvmNrF2FBJYBOXroMHa5FIHry4fStJCkjM/s1600/Lilypad+Project+Tinkercad.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNKpK7s8pJTAwA4a1W6jXTCitGyR1vx5nmYUyxG9JlGWl-fuAy_rRtXbZmzn0kVxuy9oLc8SK3RGVlScF5C87HWi1xCEG_ogZrvedXBPIbUvmNrF2FBJYBOXroMHa5FIHry4fStJCkjM/s1600/Lilypad+Project+Tinkercad.png" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">What seemed like a quick and easy project ended up taking much more time than expected due to my lack of modeling ability and unexpected challenges of working with fine wire. I found <a href="http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:84787/#files" target="_blank">a model on Thingverse</a> that would work if I could create a cutout in the middle for the LED. After struggling to get the extrusion working with <a href="http://www.123dapp.com/design" target="_blank">123Design</a>, I resorted back to <a href="https://tinkercad.com/" target="_blank">TinkerCad</a> and was able to get the right size hole after only 2 prints. (The digital callipers came in very handy and I was tickled to use my newly assembled printer.)</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Wire management endedup being my biggest obstacles. The fine wire I used was conductive enough but had to be pulled tight to complete the circuit and become much more tangled and harder to manage than I had expected. But after multiple takes and some reinforcement with the glue gun, I now have a fairly solid name badge holder than can start conversations about 3D printing, circuits, and maker empowerment. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTZ6zKnWv6g?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-10506530392691959822014-04-08T13:38:00.002-07:002014-04-08T14:01:34.626-07:00From Build to Print<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mA2u4-VFmG-lZSKZNvTnzrSlX2n7koSEGQwrEQMhi81iXyQ9nZaOJYG3vpwyVH7JpZHpAYXoFYDgBH3gQQLdEIlwBnZKzvuwca-Hh7Bln7Eshy4u3e75jwcIE8MWtb_clI68x78Vq1M/s1600/IMG_20140406_214358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mA2u4-VFmG-lZSKZNvTnzrSlX2n7koSEGQwrEQMhi81iXyQ9nZaOJYG3vpwyVH7JpZHpAYXoFYDgBH3gQQLdEIlwBnZKzvuwca-Hh7Bln7Eshy4u3e75jwcIE8MWtb_clI68x78Vq1M/s1600/IMG_20140406_214358.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
Totally excited from<a href="http://makecreateinnovate.blogspot.com/2014/04/assembling-my-own-3d-printer.html" target="_blank"> completing the last step of my Printrbt 3D printer build, </a> I was eager to move to to actually printing something. <br />
<br />
My experience so far was sending designs off for others to to print at places like <a href="http://www.shapeways.com/" target="_blank">Shapeways</a> or <a href="http://www.sculpteo.com/en/" target="_blank">Sculpteo </a>or finding someone else who has a printer for hire through <a href="http://www.makexyz.com/" target="_blank">xyzmake</a>. I have seen plenty of 3D printers at conferences and even had the privilege of being at Swanton Elementary School when the day they unpacked and tested their first 3D printer. My research lead me to understand that there was a lot of "adjusting" and "tweaking" necessary to end up with quality prints. So I was a bit nervous about the next steps.<br />
<br />
Step 67 ended rather humorously and then sent me to a the next <a href="http://printrbot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Getting-Started-Guide-Simple-10.11.13.pdf" target="_blank">Getting Started Guide</a> which suggested I download <a href="http://www.repetier.com/" target="_blank">Repetier software</a> and proceeded to offer screenshots of how to configure the software for your first print. Replicating each setting in the 5 pages of screenshots gave me a tour of the software, but also made me very aware of how much more there was to learn. A slight thrill came over me as the x, y, and z axis all moved when performing the initial test as directed in the guide. The temperature graph showed that the extruder was heating up on command. (smiling)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGO0EN7AqPQsBtiMPO-zeV8oALLLvpAfCNjJfATrjLoVT9JNhlv52gmY8JGi1UejvbVgfRQr-YQ9w4BQwc8x0N9e4Ogh410XR0B-xTK6cxzBKSXxQE_SR4jufq4YLtPx6WAjGi6RyDKY/s1600/slicer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGO0EN7AqPQsBtiMPO-zeV8oALLLvpAfCNjJfATrjLoVT9JNhlv52gmY8JGi1UejvbVgfRQr-YQ9w4BQwc8x0N9e4Ogh410XR0B-xTK6cxzBKSXxQE_SR4jufq4YLtPx6WAjGi6RyDKY/s1600/slicer.png" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
I fed through some black filament (included in the kit) and then pressed the SLICE button as directed. With all the talk about "slicing" that I've heard, it seemed a little anti-climatic that it took literally 2 seconds. The CONNECT button responded positively which mean I could talk to the printer. I hit the SET Temperature and watched the temperature curve quickly reach 195 degrees. Next step "RUN" to start your PRINT!<br />
<br />
THIS DID NOT SEEM RIGHT! Seemed there had to be more than this. What about the print head? Where should it start? Surely there must be some directions about calibration somewhere. I reread the guide and found none. A sense of anxiety came over me. What was I thinking "trying such a project" in a 'bus' parked out in the middle of Texas. It's not like I could drag it into the local "genius" bar and ask for help. It was getting late and I didn't want to go to bed feeling anxious, so I decided to "go for it" and hit RUN as instructed. Yeah- filament started to squirt out! Boo - none of it stuck to the print bed and instead globbed up around the tip of the extruder. What to do? There were no instructions on what to do if that happened.. but looking around the software I found a "KILL JOB" button! Phew! The printer stopped! Exhausted by the long day of building filled with 'creative tension' of so much new learning, I decided that I could head to bed knowing that the day had been a success! The printer worked! And filament was coming out! And my hunch that their was a missing piece to these instructions was spot on! Tomorrow I would tackle that step!<br />
<br />
...... next day<br />
<br />
The first step was getting the blog of filament off the print head. Thankfully it came off easy enough. I did lots of poking around the Internet looking for answers. Armed with just enough knowledge to enter some key words into Google Search, I skimmed resource after resource picking up new terminology each time. RichRap's blog post on slicer offered lots of pointers, but felt a little over my head for this stage in the game. But I saved them for a later time when I have more experience and am ready to tackle the granular advice offered by Rich.<br />
<ul class="posts" style="background-color: #fdfdf9; border-width: 0px; color: #636363; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16.799999237060547px; list-style: none none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -15px;">
<li style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-top-style: none; border-width: 0px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 15px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="http://richrap.blogspot.com/2012/01/slic3r-is-nicer-part-3-how-low-can-you.html" style="color: #753116; text-decoration: none;">Slic3r is Nicer - Part 3 - How low can you go?</a></li>
<li style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(119, 173, 34); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 0px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 15px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="http://richrap.blogspot.com/2012/01/slic3r-is-nicer-part-2-filament-and.html" style="color: #753116; text-decoration: none;">Slic3r is Nicer - Part 2 - filament and printing</a></li>
<li style="background-image: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-top-color: rgb(119, 173, 34); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 0px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0.25em 0px; padding: 0.25em 15px 0.25em 1.3em;"><a href="http://richrap.blogspot.com/2012/01/slic3r-is-nicer-part-1-settings-and.html" style="color: #753116; text-decoration: none;">Slic3r is Nicer - Part 1 - Settings and Extruder C...</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
Just as the "I'm not smart enough for this" anxiety started to rise I discovered <a href="https://plus.google.com/+JoshuaMarinacci/posts" target="_blank">JOSH! </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD4QwaryRIto6Imb0EdcNZd1j542FOgs24WFpOreMl8LgcHkp3lFL-YgH0Urz23tGBnLxWIMaPnmJZ4NXiukeRut0ErDvBGYkuov6Ly0VQpbyQ4x5VR-ad2FYwTG-E9HUWIzjj3_8Rgc/s1600/Josh.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD4QwaryRIto6Imb0EdcNZd1j542FOgs24WFpOreMl8LgcHkp3lFL-YgH0Urz23tGBnLxWIMaPnmJZ4NXiukeRut0ErDvBGYkuov6Ly0VQpbyQ4x5VR-ad2FYwTG-E9HUWIzjj3_8Rgc/s1600/Josh.png" height="135" width="400" /></a></div>
OMG! Josh Marinacci not only had <a href="http://joshondesign.com/2013/12/23/slug" target="_blank">the same 3D printer and model that I had,</a> but he knew how to <a href="http://joshondesign.com/p/books/simpleguide/text.html" target="_blank">write great documentation</a> that helped me regain confidence that I could do this and my brain stopped sending me "I'm not smart enough messages" and started to send more rational messages like "I have an experience gap that makes it hard for me to do this" and Josh is about to help me bridge that gap! And the fact that his blog started with tales of his recent adventures at SxSw made me trust him immediately. For all I know, we might have been sitting in the same sessions at SxSw. The fact that he added pictures of at least 5 "less than perfect" prints before getting a successful print also helped manage my expectation and prepare me for the fact that I might still get a globby mess.<br />
<br />
<br />
I followed his advice step by step, starting with adding blue painters tape to the print bed. When there were discrepancies in the Prntrbot documentation and his directions (i.e. 4800 for feedrate vs 500) I chose to follow his specs. Moved the extruder so the X and Y axis appeared to be front and left, and brought the z axis motor so that a sheet of paper slid through with a little friction. Then we calibrated the extruder feed rate by marking off some filament and sending 10 mm at a time through the printer. The extruder feed didn't even need adjusting, but it was good to see that Josh offered all the "math" necessary to make the adjustment should we need them. (I'm keeping those formulas handy).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvunUBXPRpD60OBUjT2Pdm6WpzM6uV-v_XTeGEtyzX_TvQ9hckiwWZh_J15kCK_BPs2IqdJxi3w1ijBrhW08RLNHv_iBXYasv8lkFw4z90I5jOolbUzO5Hn7eaXk_I_ZdP-6aK25FBX-s/s1600/1396875776728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvunUBXPRpD60OBUjT2Pdm6WpzM6uV-v_XTeGEtyzX_TvQ9hckiwWZh_J15kCK_BPs2IqdJxi3w1ijBrhW08RLNHv_iBXYasv8lkFw4z90I5jOolbUzO5Hn7eaXk_I_ZdP-6aK25FBX-s/s1600/1396875776728.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Took a deep breath, hit the software HOME button on x, y, and z - crossed my fingers and HIT RUN! First relief and soon glee came over me as layer after layer stuck to the bed and built up a 5mm calibration cube! And best of all - it didn't look like a glob - it actually looked like a pretty decent print. I was high as a kite for the rest of the day! I was able to happily tuck the printer away as it was time to move bus again and we had 3 days of driving head as we left from Texas to Oklahoma City and then to St. Louis. <br />
<br />
<br />
Here is the short video peak at my first print.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uGzLPB3TvLQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
More maker adventures to come! </div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-53060085564689799242014-04-06T13:48:00.001-07:002014-04-07T11:10:57.019-07:00Assembling my own 3D printer<br />
In search for the right 3D printer for my needs and for schools I might work with has been an eye opening journey. At first all eyes pointed to the <a href="http://store.makerbot.com/replicator2" target="_blank">Makerbot Replicator 2</a>, but as I have been meeting more 'makers' I'm finding lots of different possibilities including the <a href="https://www.lulzbot.com/" target="_blank">Lulzbot</a>, the <a href="http://cubify.com/" target="_blank">3D Cube</a> and new models from <a href="http://printrbot.com/" target="_blank">Printrbot</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://makezineblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/sip06-printrbotsimple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://makezineblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/sip06-printrbotsimple.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Although the 'extreme' maker would MAKE their own 3D printer, program their own arduino board to operate motors and extruders and laser cut or 3D print the parts, I wasn't quite ready for that journey. However I felt confident enough to order a KIT and do my own assembly. Although I didn't feel the Printrbot Simple would be the right kit for a classroom environment, the company's reputation was sound enough for me to give the build of their low cost model a try.<br />
<br />
The package arrived the other day and I could not wait to dive in. It was a great feeling to open the box of parts and find that a degree of comfort with the parts included. I could envision the machine that had laser cut the wooden pieces; I immediately recognized the arduino board, and was not afraid of the colored wires and end stops, motors, and wire tires. The combined documentation (in the box and online supplement) was very thorough. I especially liked the way that <a href="http://help.printrbot.com/Guide/Installing+Printrbot+Simple+with+Fan+Shroud/88" target="_blank">the online documentation</a> broke down the steps by steps with 3 visuals for each of the 67 steps. Also helpful was the way each step linked to user comments as they completed the steps. (I always read those, figuring I could benefit from other's questions and feedback). I used my Nexus 7 to document my own work. Here are the first 2 days of the build.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/xfdY_nVJ9Bo/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/xfdY_nVJ9Bo?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/xfdY_nVJ9Bo?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
My amazing partner/coach/friend/husband was great support and lent me his tools and showed me all these little tricks (i.e. working with zip ties and hex nuts, cable management, etc) while demonstrating extreme self-discipline by letting me fumble through some awkward moments with tools I've never used before. (And yes, I did let him play with a few of the steps, but only after I experienced it myself first). The build did require a trip to Home Depot to pick up a few tools we were lacking including a micro cutter, more exacto blades, tinier Allen Wrench, and thread blue). As the assembly started to take shape, my motivation to make it to the end increased and we spent a LONG day at it on Saturday and finished the build! Yeah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/tZ5A8xFGhfc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i1.ytimg.com/vi/p_TzBp4aSF8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/p_TzBp4aSF8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/p_TzBp4aSF8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/r7y7EbuQm7I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
I had to laugh at the last step when I read the following<br />
"<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; padding: 0px 2px 0px 22px;">
<span class="stepValue">Step 67</span><br />
<div class="bullet bullet_black" style="background-image: url(http://d1luk0418egahw.cloudfront.net/static/images/guide/bullets.gif); background-position: -1px -1px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 10px; left: 3px; position: absolute; top: 4px; width: 10px;">
</div>
Simple build finished. Great job! You're not quite done though. There are a couple more steps on your journey to 3D printing glory. ...<b>I know, it is sort of like beating a level in Mario Bros, when the bad guy runs off with the Princess again</b>.<br />
<div class="bullet bullet_black" style="background-image: url(http://d1luk0418egahw.cloudfront.net/static/images/guide/bullets.gif); background-position: -1px -1px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; height: 10px; left: 3px; position: absolute; top: 4px; width: 10px;">
</div>
See the <a href="http://printrbot.com/support/instructions-and-guides/" style="color: #2aa3d8; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Getting Started Guide</a> for info on software settings and other tips.</blockquote>
<h3 class="stepTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.21em; margin: 0px 0px 7px 2px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; text-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314) 0px 0px 1px;">
<a class="anchor" href="http://help.printrbot.com/Guide/Installing+Printrbot+Simple+with+Fan+Shroud/88#s1525" style="color: #333333; cursor: pointer; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; visibility: hidden;" title="Link to this step"></a></h3>
<ul class="stepLines" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; position: relative; width: 315.99432373046875px;"><div class="clearer" style="clear: both; font-size: 0px; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Because that was exactly what I felt as I discovered that I had NEW software to learn and didn't have a clue how to calibrate the x, y, z, motors and extruder -- all steps which ARE NOT in the Getting Started Guide! Ask me how I know! --- (perhaps by the glob of filament stuck on the extruder, instead of stuck to the print bed, where it should be.... KILL Print Job... Stay tuned for more learning)<br />
<br />
But boy am I EXCITED that we have a working 3D printer in our bus - and I assembled it - with a little help from my friend, coach, partner, travel companion, husband - Thanks, Craig. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-38842264306308498532014-04-04T19:44:00.001-07:002014-04-05T09:32:05.420-07:00Exploring Circuits<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTHJMaJlnWcDg3wbmGA8S-bpBGLuxI6FPdlYjlxZyFKbsgLQst5j1IETyNRP-lpmejC0Ay_GlOKq6nxwS_ABBWXQLjK2n994m_d7U1My49SZ9VSHhiUdizaIHdjC4QSrzf2rHSihV_X0/s3200/IMG_20140404_202644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Zf44Fl2NoN2yAzc2RChgP_Y6sP591zkMtxGANYY3v0lW-sb_Qr-MyISafXSWNlGrKk56irRTAD-i4D5mU41qfNe-Md3OZf6yN1r0nWpm0xeA4KA_Kp5TxzHOnIbFN682MbADtbImUM/s3200/IMG_20140404_202937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<br />
Completing the 15 circuits in the Arduino Inventor kit earlier this semester was the perfect entry point for me to learn more about programmable circuits. There was just enough documentation to support my progress through each of these circuit exercises, but not so much that I felt like I was just walking through the steps. I had just enough background in programming (which is not much) to start to tweak the code and remix and mashup some of the circuit examples. However, I kept thinking that this would not be the correct entry point for someone who has had NO background in programming. So even though the Arduino provides a HIGH CEILING environment for creating, I don't feel it was low threshold enough for most learners to easy start creating. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
My past experience with Pico Crickets has allowed me to see the type of learning that happens when you have LOTS of arts and craft materials, Legos, Sensors, and a low threshold programming environment. Since PicoCrickets have been retired, I embarked on a mission to find many different "on ramps" to the world of programmable circuits for different types of learners. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJVrjAvUg80FSdDkNbP6Vuu_c3IwTOFk_-LZESk_zSyZQ41khyphenhyphenGGJ-VRg3aTuoinpaG-9f-so4kFLveiAgKo6UzS65NbsF2gV43E_mZEQxGZtElOSoYyBAqtxZBMUANI2vuE8lkyNTik/s3200/IMG_20140404_202244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJVrjAvUg80FSdDkNbP6Vuu_c3IwTOFk_-LZESk_zSyZQ41khyphenhyphenGGJ-VRg3aTuoinpaG-9f-so4kFLveiAgKo6UzS65NbsF2gV43E_mZEQxGZtElOSoYyBAqtxZBMUANI2vuE8lkyNTik/s3200/IMG_20140404_202244.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a>After seeing some of the products showcased at the Sparkfun table at SxSw I placed an order for a Makey Makey and lots of LillyPad (eTextile) components. It was hard to know which components would be the easiest to start with, so I ordered a variety of different pieces. My 'mentor' (also my husband) suggested that I figured out what I wanted to create so I could select the 'right' pieces, but it's hard to know what you CAN make until you have had a chance at some open play with the tools to see what's possible. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Several hundred dollars later, a package from Sparkfun arrived that contained Lilypad circuits, LED's, and all types of conductive materials (thread, paint, fabric, tape, etc) </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuWAk2Uoy4R9pb9l6-dRhLbh_Dpyq1q3gzjGyyM0b6XN3pU715EKX3s87QRyilMIed_OyMshfbgvxoJjjSDJfo-7x-n6HHjt8AYRs7ZARjPwM-bugw-hXektL6_OSr1vZ8J5xsIrXViY/s3200/IMG_20140404_202227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuWAk2Uoy4R9pb9l6-dRhLbh_Dpyq1q3gzjGyyM0b6XN3pU715EKX3s87QRyilMIed_OyMshfbgvxoJjjSDJfo-7x-n6HHjt8AYRs7ZARjPwM-bugw-hXektL6_OSr1vZ8J5xsIrXViY/s3200/IMG_20140404_202227.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqV2EjqTAxU4a8bVWpI9VBMcmdTg0hPdnKb96badijoIGkPCdFCCLP18pQ3UE6lIabJpzJIkD56-JhfdqNRjDNcnqt3ln5SFHczyKNegN5MdaaGqUk9HUMryOaBFx4sVZXXeApvpMiD8/s3200/IMG_20140404_202332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqV2EjqTAxU4a8bVWpI9VBMcmdTg0hPdnKb96badijoIGkPCdFCCLP18pQ3UE6lIabJpzJIkD56-JhfdqNRjDNcnqt3ln5SFHczyKNegN5MdaaGqUk9HUMryOaBFx4sVZXXeApvpMiD8/s3200/IMG_20140404_202332.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmM0BXGwr6on8Jitok6iwYoF3Qz-0D3XUwGEYgnsUKne6OcWBvNLPxFoeL-uwRdVjhhC5IVCMFwvbjWhdFp1FSNEvTpo5SJ6pXQSGmbytMeCmymuAYM6_ZGDKgEygwsNNpoDp5aWGDDE/s3200/IMG_20140404_202355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmM0BXGwr6on8Jitok6iwYoF3Qz-0D3XUwGEYgnsUKne6OcWBvNLPxFoeL-uwRdVjhhC5IVCMFwvbjWhdFp1FSNEvTpo5SJ6pXQSGmbytMeCmymuAYM6_ZGDKgEygwsNNpoDp5aWGDDE/s3200/IMG_20140404_202355.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn6PDWQXni52VBZfN8ujPDmBrMlZtU79iAlxwpOmk2oDngXgThpCFGFrF8AaCjk7l8esb4zGhhyphenhyphenp7bHfmM9FsH5w3Z7p8GHsn6kdWphtEZ-0tdkPqkGjctsu71fr2or5Hgexg8FEefLY/s3200/IMG_20140404_202345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOn6PDWQXni52VBZfN8ujPDmBrMlZtU79iAlxwpOmk2oDngXgThpCFGFrF8AaCjk7l8esb4zGhhyphenhyphenp7bHfmM9FsH5w3Z7p8GHsn6kdWphtEZ-0tdkPqkGjctsu71fr2or5Hgexg8FEefLY/s3200/IMG_20140404_202345.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrByyHtuhY8kC4VRZ_9uMK2-wCeCuoKyQdDQAoRwiXyHvuUEiRgLohfFVQnoxdS2D_WjPnsMgwE0A2Bw30KY83JqZA9elnWNhzbprR-58wHUdqrT0BtW99hEAvQ2fon5meRnhRlPt-vo/s3200/IMG_20140404_202455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrByyHtuhY8kC4VRZ_9uMK2-wCeCuoKyQdDQAoRwiXyHvuUEiRgLohfFVQnoxdS2D_WjPnsMgwE0A2Bw30KY83JqZA9elnWNhzbprR-58wHUdqrT0BtW99hEAvQ2fon5meRnhRlPt-vo/s3200/IMG_20140404_202455.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbl_qlPXt5tSLBwaV6KYxBEq3us2eDqm1J0Zv53oG6nmne7Ux3mF-8tfgpvrf0iDJKdhS3oIA5SNbZ-iYyCdLhw7a6No5pDvIPcAVKkzFXk0qw9ZjieQLYzodNV4yfCZsyLiLy4n4L64/s3200/IMG_20140404_202608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbl_qlPXt5tSLBwaV6KYxBEq3us2eDqm1J0Zv53oG6nmne7Ux3mF-8tfgpvrf0iDJKdhS3oIA5SNbZ-iYyCdLhw7a6No5pDvIPcAVKkzFXk0qw9ZjieQLYzodNV4yfCZsyLiLy4n4L64/s3200/IMG_20140404_202608.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTHJMaJlnWcDg3wbmGA8S-bpBGLuxI6FPdlYjlxZyFKbsgLQst5j1IETyNRP-lpmejC0Ay_GlOKq6nxwS_ABBWXQLjK2n994m_d7U1My49SZ9VSHhiUdizaIHdjC4QSrzf2rHSihV_X0/s3200/IMG_20140404_202644.jpg" height="320" style="text-align: center;" width="236" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Zf44Fl2NoN2yAzc2RChgP_Y6sP591zkMtxGANYY3v0lW-sb_Qr-MyISafXSWNlGrKk56irRTAD-i4D5mU41qfNe-Md3OZf6yN1r0nWpm0xeA4KA_Kp5TxzHOnIbFN682MbADtbImUM/s3200/IMG_20140404_202937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5Zf44Fl2NoN2yAzc2RChgP_Y6sP591zkMtxGANYY3v0lW-sb_Qr-MyISafXSWNlGrKk56irRTAD-i4D5mU41qfNe-Md3OZf6yN1r0nWpm0xeA4KA_Kp5TxzHOnIbFN682MbADtbImUM/s3200/IMG_20140404_202937.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My mind started to imagine all types of possibilities with the components I had ordered. I wandered through the craft section at Walmart and the Michael's store with a very different lens. After picking up a few hundred dollars worth of materials and/or inspiration, I was eager to start playing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganYKp7LIVT02pZ6sNlA0Ve467M5cCq3cpNdy5ogKK2jmqu9YV4GFfskI-zoUdC2g52xbVKuqyDNIYKi37TarH-pr9JAPDInxBfOYl-uBzmTaoi0X6kLN_FwP7k6FcPB31ZO4WdGJ9Ve0/s3200/IMG_20140404_202926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganYKp7LIVT02pZ6sNlA0Ve467M5cCq3cpNdy5ogKK2jmqu9YV4GFfskI-zoUdC2g52xbVKuqyDNIYKi37TarH-pr9JAPDInxBfOYl-uBzmTaoi0X6kLN_FwP7k6FcPB31ZO4WdGJ9Ve0/s3200/IMG_20140404_202926.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brief visit to Michael's </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-svDX3tLfHGdXjstcMn4QS07GkdcjYP1wo8bINiy9_t7Xp6rd7PnxneJgXMkFYFh6pjesA83hB0Yl4mm6HlE-jsBDisSWGykBoCfcNNrGn_NNWNYdfIuDMY0y5sKdnkj41vyZAe7uT04/s3200/Walmart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-svDX3tLfHGdXjstcMn4QS07GkdcjYP1wo8bINiy9_t7Xp6rd7PnxneJgXMkFYFh6pjesA83hB0Yl4mm6HlE-jsBDisSWGykBoCfcNNrGn_NNWNYdfIuDMY0y5sKdnkj41vyZAe7uT04/s3200/Walmart.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration from Walmart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
While I was drawing ideas for what might become an adhesive walking advertisement for Creating and Making - somehow adhered temporarily or permanently on my book bag, FED EX delivered another package I had ordered from Little Bits. In the box were two Little Bit kits to explore circuits that seemed to have the potential to introduce our youngest learner to the Internet of Things. Very much inspired by Little Bit creator, Ayah Bdeir, whose workshop I attended at SxSw, I ordered the Premium Kit and the Korg Synth Kit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNZX1Av4jy4HZKMAx3lpQvG4_eh7yae84yA66Zp5NojtesWEMwSub4z_9oWpkj8is2534UxVoezWGN6D5GBQVxcOEiNSDG5OL7Q4SLMGE-EakRGZIqPqGZllQlTq8SSddFLamD8_pqVc/s3200/IMG_20140404_203153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNZX1Av4jy4HZKMAx3lpQvG4_eh7yae84yA66Zp5NojtesWEMwSub4z_9oWpkj8is2534UxVoezWGN6D5GBQVxcOEiNSDG5OL7Q4SLMGE-EakRGZIqPqGZllQlTq8SSddFLamD8_pqVc/s3200/IMG_20140404_203153.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyDuouZjZaTeNSslWYTuizi94GQ-IVc0cRxrOP4wlwAU360w97QxYc2OiYUQdLPcmG8qND5uzoNhtwbSQXQ5IKMa6WtI-iWv2kf0C7lqb9QvFGp2Gi6uv3eoXNngD-yH-LHliVdIVRVQ/s3200/IMG_20140404_203125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyDuouZjZaTeNSslWYTuizi94GQ-IVc0cRxrOP4wlwAU360w97QxYc2OiYUQdLPcmG8qND5uzoNhtwbSQXQ5IKMa6WtI-iWv2kf0C7lqb9QvFGp2Gi6uv3eoXNngD-yH-LHliVdIVRVQ/s3200/IMG_20140404_203125.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BdLntkx-2QGLMafMWW5wtgU9Lwpo0Nxv2CTlOcVY9PcQOPv_-_QrfOW5efcfhm_h8mWB5Irpb1eOYwFAUxF_OQJ50FUMEMCA6QEzR_Sbi13_5-BUHOROpPn68SnrxDI5C885KOBHHtk/s3200/IMG_20140404_203111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BdLntkx-2QGLMafMWW5wtgU9Lwpo0Nxv2CTlOcVY9PcQOPv_-_QrfOW5efcfhm_h8mWB5Irpb1eOYwFAUxF_OQJ50FUMEMCA6QEzR_Sbi13_5-BUHOROpPn68SnrxDI5C885KOBHHtk/s3200/IMG_20140404_203111.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are not familiar with Little Bits, the best way to learn about Little Bits is from the creator -Ayah Bdier, herself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YguB-keZ4Tk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Since I was flying back to Vermont this week for 3 professional development events and to spend time with grandchildren, I had all these packages delivered at my grandson's home. Watching what happens when packages like these show up at the home of an 8 year old and 2 year old brought lots of new insights (which I will share in another blog post). But needless to say - my "planning week" for my Final Project was spent exploring lots of possibilities, and using the eraser end of my pencil as I tried out different ideas on paper and in my head.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-60532496524432549172014-03-18T02:59:00.000-07:002014-04-12T03:01:26.576-07:00Adding Physical Computing to Scratch with PicoBoardWell I started with a plan to use the makey with Scratch and even had a plan to procure one. The folks at Sparkfun at SxSwEDU offered up there Makey Makey to me on the last day of the exhibit, so I didn't order one. I showed up at their exhibit on the last hour of the last day and almost walked away with one. But unfortunately got engaged in a great discussion with Jeff one of their reps that is very connected with the Vermont Maker movement and we started to make plans about future collaborations and I walked away forgetting to grab the makey makey. It wasn't sure that we were going to be stationary long enough for me to order one now, but alas, I remembered that I did have a PicoBoard with me and that this could possibly serve a similar function in that it also works with Scratch. Working with the constraints of using materials I had with me in the bus - I came up with the idea of making a "portable drumset" for people who "live in a bus" and reached for some picnic supplies to help solve this "problem" <<grin>><br /><br /><br />I apologize ahead of time for quality of the video, I was focusing on making and realized AFTER the fact that I should have gotten out the tripod. (sorry)<div style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="mediaplugin mediaplugin_youtube" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="1" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_K6X-gRFQvw?rel=0&wmode=transparent" title="YouTube" width="400"></iframe></span></div>
<br /><br />I started by using the resistance sensors on the Picoboard to make a physical drumset play a virtual drumset created in Scratch. Once I got that working, I decided to add new features that would use each of the sensors found on the Pico board. <br />the slider sensor adjust the volume of the drums <br />the push button changes the Lighting (stage background color) <br />the light sensor was used to make colored laser lights appear when its dark <br />the sound sensor turns the stage to dark with an Thank You message when you applaud loudly (now that I think about it I should have applaud loudly result in an encore performance) <br /><br /><br />I need to give credit to the <a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/3069878/#editor">user cwb2001</a> on the Scratch community whose "sprites" I found that would serve my purpose. I learned that if you try to download the sprites from the online community, they did not work in my local version of Scratch, but if you click on the individual costumes, you can export the png locally (very useful tip for remixing for those of us who are NOT artist). I also want to acknowledge <a href="http://nebomusic.net/picoboardlessons/">Mr. Michad from Nebo Elementary School </a>who has some great lesson ideas for music, technology, and more for the idea of creating a drumset.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-63694172254144644912014-03-08T02:55:00.000-08:002014-04-12T03:01:50.234-07:00SxSW Synergy with CNC<br />
<br />
My First Cut is a story of Synergy and one more fun story I will be able to tell about Living and Learning Mobile. I can't wait to have some time to add it to my blog. When the CNC topic was introduced in our Physical Computing class, I had NO clue what CNC was and started to read about it and learning about gCode and all the converters and the multi steps from the design stage to the CAM stage. Seems like it was accessible with enough scaffolding but also offered many points of failure. (the first of which was having a Mac).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I kept looking for opportunity to complete this assignment and am happy to say that thanks to events like SxSwCreate (which was open to the public and did NOT require a SwSx badge), and maker groups who are active on Twitter, I was able to complete my first CNC project, and use the s<a href="http://makezine.com/2014/03/07/easel-inventables-cnc-mill-new-app/" target="_blank">oon to be released EASEL app </a>along with the <a href="https://www.inventables.com/technologies/desktop-cnc-mill-kit-shapeoko-2" target="_blank">Shapeoko 2 at the Inventables</a> station. I believe that the affordability and accessibility of these two tools will mean that school Maker Labs will end up with both a 3D printer and a CNC mill. Easel took the complexity and extra steps out of the equation. It currently only does 2D, but is on the way to be able to work with 3D. I encourage you to sign up for the release which is happening over the next 2 months<br />
<br />
Here's my Synergy story<br />
<div style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="mediaplugin mediaplugin_youtube" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="1" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6M1o-pY0S4I?rel=0&wmode=transparent" title=" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M1o-pY0S4I" width="400"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-86778957451393370512014-03-01T02:44:00.000-08:002014-04-12T03:02:07.802-07:00SCRATCH that Creativity Itch<br />
<br />
Probably my favorite learning tool in the world is SCRATCH as it makes THINKING and LEARNING really visible. You can take any pedagogical textbook and illustrate its key concepts using Scratch as a tool.<br />
<br />
(can you tell I'm a fan)<br />
<br />
Here is a video I captured from my Tech Savvy Girls Camp of a group of young ladies designing their first game in Scratch. I filled the room with lots of fun creative objects to provide inspiration.The girls were asked to use the physical objects in the room to design a game. The game had to have at least 1 FAIL state and 1 SUCCESS state. Then they were given a short intro to Scratch lesson, and then asked to use Scratch to implement their design. <br />
<div style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span class="mediaplugin mediaplugin_youtube" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="1" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ynGRt4bFt8Q?rel=0&wmode=transparent" title="YouTube" width="400"></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Here is their final Game Implementation on Scratch - Can you you use the cursor keys to navigate the frog through the maze.<br />
<div style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1430482/" style="color: #d19000; text-decoration: none;">http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1430482/</a></div>
<br />
This example was an "outside" of school learning activity, but Scratch can be used in the classroom, as you can see from this "connecting Scratch to literacy" example.<br />
<br />
A few years ago I went on a mission to move these creative type activities INSIDE the curriculum and worked with another Creativity enthusiast colleague to kick off a project that we called <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/csiprojectvt/" target="_blank">"Create Simulate Innovate"</a><br />
<br />
I was astounded at how hard it was to get teachers to buy into this idea. Even my most creative teachers went would respond with "sounds like a great after school activity" or 'perfect for enrichment class".<br />
<br />
I did have a few successes and here is one of them.<br />
<br />
A fifth grade teacher who I saw a connection between teaching kids procedural writing in language arts and SCRATCH. She discovered that having kids "LIVE" and "EXPERIENCE" procedure was a perfect connecting to WRITING out procedures. <br />
<br />
They examined the ultimate procedural writing text - "cookbooks" then create their own Interactive procedural pieces using "Scratch" before they moved on to the actual writing piece (which I believe was a local assessment)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/9fe84109fcd1cfbcdad3" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.schooltube.com/video/9fe84109fcd1cfbcdad3/CSI%20-%20Scratch%20in%20Literacy">www.schooltube.com/video/9fe84109fcd1cfbcdad3/CSI%20-%20Scratch%20in%20Literacy</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-41850771376456141662014-02-25T02:36:00.000-08:002014-04-12T03:02:33.746-07:00Toy Hacking in New Orleans<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
Toy Hacking can be all consuming, that's for sure, but what fun. Since I took all my toys to Good Will before I moved into the bus, I had little to work with. No Good Will stores nearby, but aha a Dollar General. Rounded up a few toys with potential and came up with this Toy Hack. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zxdd6-3uqQQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;">
<br />
<br />
Deconstructing was great to do "after" a circuit unit. I understood what was happening and imagined the parts I could not control (like the song being played) . <br />
<br />
I appreciated the programming in the Toy Phone which had both English and Spanish, and lots of conditionals (including a built in Quiz)<br />
<br />
One of the toys appeared not to work, but after swapping out the watch batteries from another toy, we discovered it was the batteries and upon further deconstructing discovered the switch was stuck on ON (thus the drained batteries). <br />
<br />
After I got everything apart I started to imagine possibilities. In playing with possibilities, I managed to dislodge some wires, which gave me the opportunity to learn to solder. Lucky me, I had a great teacher nearby who let me use his tools. <br />
<br />
This got me to reflect on the importance of having access to resources (both tools and people) to support your process. Also important is a person who notices when you've reached capacity and encourages you back on your journey to a point where you have the desire and confidence to keep going. After all the tools were put away and we were working on some decorative elements, Mr. Potato Head's light up nose, stopped working - didn't take me long to spot that one of the wires had broken on the switch. ;-( By that time it was late at night, I had worked all day on this, and didn't have any stamina left for this 'slight' setback. Although Craig had left me to my "inventions" most of the day, he was within earshot and stepped back into the picture long enough to get my spirits up again, and offered to take out the solder so that I could "practice my new skill". ;) <br />
<br />
A school environment does not lend itself well to the extra time mishaps take to fix. And many kids do NOT have mentors outside school that could lead them through this type of learning. When I read the Steve Jobs biography, I learned that Steve's adopted father was a tinkering and set up many opportunities for Steve to feel empowered as he learned to control computing devices. Where is that opportunity for our kids today?<br />
<br />
To me creating these type of opportunities provides a common goal for schools and c<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">ommunity to work for together on. I'm glad to see the interest in "making" come to the surface again. I think its a sign that our society is try to correct its path after having wandered too far off course. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
Time to make to learn, invent to learn, and play to learn. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-62784559859573707692014-02-11T08:05:00.001-08:002014-02-11T09:25:40.403-08:00I See the Light - Exploring the world of Microprocessor Circuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="clear: left; float: left; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0pt;">
<img height="188px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/niJacZcwO3FXPyNV4U0IgXEPdQR7-DOafzLzZaXaDfHdNtb_VY5kibwKsxa3I28FkZOKjcVCc9Lg8TROcEbBHaB6blbs5lMLkHLqe6Ozb8uPuWLFH2XixlncXw" style="border: 0px solid transparent;" width="188px;" /></div>
<br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-51197796-2166-a81e-3e46-957689b78a90" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>I See the Light - Exploring the world of Microprocessor Circuits
</b></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My learning journey in the world of physical computing continues to bridge the experience gap for me as I complete the 15 circuits from the the </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/11576" style="line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;">SparkFun Inventor’s Kit for the SparkFun RedBoard.</a></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ayp4UYxDtGo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I worked through these circuit building exercises from my <a href="http://gradschool.marlboro.edu/" target="_blank">Intro to Physical Computing Course from Marlboro College Graduate and Professional Studies</a>, I became more deeply aware of how the experience gap widens as kids miss out on the opportunity to learn some basic science about the world around them. I’m not sure when budding scientist usually get introduced to circuits, but I don’t remember it from my elementary school days. It certainly didn’t happen in my household of 5 girls. I don’t have any memories of doing this type of thing with my parents either. So by the time I got to high school, I found myself accepting the fact that my understanding of the world of science was “muddy” and learned to live with that and cope. I put off taking Chemistry until my senior year, and then used my ability to ‘play school’ well to get through that without any deep understanding. Needless to say, I never made it into any physics classes. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7-QyHsfy4iJx0334wCsvl6T7DUQioVcQN90VDdiF75EbeQ3sHiebuFhZAqJ6bRaqSe5PfcipCtpVM6mKUH4UD4icOtt4pKpqQ_nUt8-5QYtEy0p6UduYK3iaFQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="190px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7-QyHsfy4iJx0334wCsvl6T7DUQioVcQN90VDdiF75EbeQ3sHiebuFhZAqJ6bRaqSe5PfcipCtpVM6mKUH4UD4icOtt4pKpqQ_nUt8-5QYtEy0p6UduYK3iaFQ" style="border: 0px solid transparent;" title="Photo Credit: doug Siefken via Photopin" width="240px;" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was pleased to learn that my science/math distribution requirements in college could all be fulfilled with math classes, which offered me yet another way to stay in the dark with my understanding of science. Ironically I am fascinated by science and frequently in awe of engineering, but I’ve learned to accept that this is something I can enjoy the marvels of without ever being able to do it (or truly understand it) myself. After all, we can all enjoy music without being able to play an instrument or art without being able to draw or paint - so it must be with science. Maybe! But by curiosity always made me wish I could have had a deeper understanding of so many wonders that could be explained by science. I learned to accept the fog--which of courses increased the gap in experience and in understanding. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> [photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/siefken/2734423030/">doug.siefken</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>]</i></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpivjgzEUcs21dHVrGyrA0u55i-ErWwPh0iiIwMeGTgIjykJT1Q7nKkb-2Y-boLjuZwMBcBSXvlil7gNqjgSGHgnBd5_mgfaNQeVHmvnQyhflxte_erjhcieW116x5LTwAXyCtIt2ILTg/s1600/codesnipped.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpivjgzEUcs21dHVrGyrA0u55i-ErWwPh0iiIwMeGTgIjykJT1Q7nKkb-2Y-boLjuZwMBcBSXvlil7gNqjgSGHgnBd5_mgfaNQeVHmvnQyhflxte_erjhcieW116x5LTwAXyCtIt2ILTg/s1600/codesnipped.png" height="273" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I proceeded through the first couple of projects in this Inventor Kit, I had a real meltdown. Circuit 1 was pretty easy to put together. But as I was completing Circuit 2, I became very aware of my lack of any deep understanding of what was happening outside my ability to follow directions and assembling wires and components accordingly. The tension made me want to shut down and not move further. There was no way that I would be able to complete the next 14 projects feeling this incompetent. So I took a step back and did what I usually do when I feel over my head - and that is to become a student and tune into my learning style. I <a href="https://drive.google.com/#folders/0ByeV_9e4WV0uaTM4MFFleVlTM1U" target="_blank">copied the code to the circuits into a Google doc</a> and started to break it apart 1 line at a time, using yellow to highlight important concepts, orange to highlight any actual snippets of code as I dissected it, and pink to highlight any points of confusion that remained. The comment feature allowed me to add free form thoughts and ideas as I worked through the circuits. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But that was not enough. I was seriously lacking some very basic basics. Thankfully my husband is an engineering type and was more than willing to help me fill in the gaps. After some of the fog had lifted about the basics of circuits and circuit boards, I went back and redid the first project and moved through the next several projects with increased confidence each time. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By circuit 3 I was able to look at the little schematic and understand what was going to happen, even before I turned the page and read on. I found myself color coding the wires I selected according to the energy flow and polarity. Anything that went to + or 5 volt got a red wire. Anything that went to ground got a black or white wire. Wires back to certain pins got a different color. As my confidence and understanding grew I started playing with positioning the wires and resistors in locations that worked for me that would yield the same results. I ran into another challenge when I hit the project that introduced transistors and relays. My curiosity and unwillingness to wander in a state of fog lead me to grill my coach/mentor/husband once more until things became clear enough for me to have a basic understanding of the role of transistors and relays in circuits. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="line-height: 1.15;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I completed a video of each circuit as I completed it. Explored it further by playing with the code and then sailed through most of them (except 14 - which gave me a real hard time). Here is <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OflJX7dm6dYpF6OzostV-G6sPcRSFtkNf4Hs0JJuNsM/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" target="_blank">my documentation</a>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="299" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OflJX7dm6dYpF6OzostV-G6sPcRSFtkNf4Hs0JJuNsM/embed?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 1.15;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had 3 circuits to complete by the time we had to leave Grayton Beach, Florida on Monday, but I managed to complete and shoot the video documentation for those last 3 circuits on the road while we travelled from the Florida, through, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RAXkmJMyEjE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br /></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout this wonderful learning opportunity, I found myself thinking about the importance of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> Curiosity, Confidence, GRIT, Motivation</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>understanding your learning style.</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Had I not had the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>curiosity</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I would have never sought out this experience; had I not had the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>motivation</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>GRIT</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I would have given up; had I not had the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>understanding of my learning style,</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I would have failed to see a way through the challenges and had I not gained </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>confidence </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">along the way, I would not have enjoyed any of it, nor built any desire to explore further. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-wmwdID-fWIynUrpRvkRMHmEmVaYN27-nd8_WsYqKs4StmrGUjbOaTF01pFktkvkA6ylAMG3sfVLr8pjyJyO6oY8Z4L5n4Bh9bMMS5raoxc__b_7nA-XnsLhJffrI4Sbcd8PgmynhfA/s1600/small_3349295132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-wmwdID-fWIynUrpRvkRMHmEmVaYN27-nd8_WsYqKs4StmrGUjbOaTF01pFktkvkA6ylAMG3sfVLr8pjyJyO6oY8Z4L5n4Bh9bMMS5raoxc__b_7nA-XnsLhJffrI4Sbcd8PgmynhfA/s1600/small_3349295132.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQCKlepOjq1tu3v2CIM13esn1DR_y2Q8SI8XGx33V81e6WJ-_Cls668NbN-Ns3YUagvD5Az3D53p8C64Qufwk0MEdxyCdk3vAcPq3TD8gRU3Yigtem4tECRj7DzWBXC6lZoraxLt6XGU/s1600/small_5161636003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In education today, we are doing more and more student centered learning, and offering students more choice in determining their learning path. But what does it take to create the curiosity, confidence, motivation for students to venture into unknown territories or discover areas of knowledge that might never cross their natural path? What if a desired path leaves you in the dark lacking major understanding of what is and what’s possible in our world? How can we move forward in the personalization of education without failing our children? Providing access and opportunity to learn is not the same as providing students with the ability to reach beyond where their natural path or choices might take them. My choices left me void of understanding of many scientific concepts. But should my educational system have allowed this to happen? </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">[ photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/3349295132/">Auntie P</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>}] </i></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-wmwdID-fWIynUrpRvkRMHmEmVaYN27-nd8_WsYqKs4StmrGUjbOaTF01pFktkvkA6ylAMG3sfVLr8pjyJyO6oY8Z4L5n4Bh9bMMS5raoxc__b_7nA-XnsLhJffrI4Sbcd8PgmynhfA/s1600/small_3349295132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQCKlepOjq1tu3v2CIM13esn1DR_y2Q8SI8XGx33V81e6WJ-_Cls668NbN-Ns3YUagvD5Az3D53p8C64Qufwk0MEdxyCdk3vAcPq3TD8gRU3Yigtem4tECRj7DzWBXC6lZoraxLt6XGU/s1600/small_5161636003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQCKlepOjq1tu3v2CIM13esn1DR_y2Q8SI8XGx33V81e6WJ-_Cls668NbN-Ns3YUagvD5Az3D53p8C64Qufwk0MEdxyCdk3vAcPq3TD8gRU3Yigtem4tECRj7DzWBXC6lZoraxLt6XGU/s1600/small_5161636003.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some would say this is why we have high stakes testing - to spot the failures and fix them. But is that fixing the problem or making it worse. Not only do these test not reveal much data about </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Curiosity, Confidence, GRIT, Motivation and understanding one's learning style,</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> they don’t yield improvements in the design of learning that increases any of these essential components. Often, they have done the opposite in that they have brought about an increased focus on remediation at the expense of creative learning environments that challenge learners to wonder, take risk, construct knowledge, and persevere. Finding a path where learners can experience that joy of thinking hard, where they have choice, follow their passions, and unpack their own understanding of the world without missing important and key understandings will not be easy - especially in a world where knowledge is growing at an exponential rate. Thankfully people are still asking the important question of “How do we do this.. where is the path that will yield the best results?”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> </i></span><span style="line-height: 1.15;"> [</span><i style="line-height: 1.15;">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/5161636003/">NASA HQ PHOTO</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com/">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>]</i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-77967694737916813622014-02-04T11:56:00.000-08:002014-02-13T19:41:56.551-08:00A New Part for the Bus<br />
The success I experienced at a getting a playful artifact printed on a 3D printed lead to the modeling of more practical piece to be printed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdyKQjwE5Jkc4eGN69vAlL12rUR9-5Szz69M3iwZk58A4-S2zhTpBncmk9xoZnbuNQhM962pCEcWJT0RvBgM3MtWojQU6TIFvBfGAzsirwL-Zc3SxfeOABUBLsvX4dDPdKUDRwa6RBP0/s1600/Small+Bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdyKQjwE5Jkc4eGN69vAlL12rUR9-5Szz69M3iwZk58A4-S2zhTpBncmk9xoZnbuNQhM962pCEcWJT0RvBgM3MtWojQU6TIFvBfGAzsirwL-Zc3SxfeOABUBLsvX4dDPdKUDRwa6RBP0/s1600/Small+Bus.jpg" height="98" width="200" /></a>The 30 year old vintage bus we live and learn is lacking some pieces on each screen, that keep it in place in the tracks. They no longer make the part, so our 3D printing assignment led me down the path of getting a replacement part modeled and printed in 3D. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I started by using <a href="http://www.123dapp.com/catch" target="_blank">1233Dcatch</a> to see if I could get accurate enough dimensions to design it myself. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkkTJjzeP-myHGnvOiBy2uZ9vDKEmZ-V0IRSceIXxWSyV8ZgN9-9XwxeeN3nequVIlBA0wwXhLz3m64oFWQ3DSCHNC2yTLR-QpFByLpJu_1Qad0Ff_2IOc19xXAlA_IPLB2iJ_ps7NiE/s1600/replacement+part.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkkTJjzeP-myHGnvOiBy2uZ9vDKEmZ-V0IRSceIXxWSyV8ZgN9-9XwxeeN3nequVIlBA0wwXhLz3m64oFWQ3DSCHNC2yTLR-QpFByLpJu_1Qad0Ff_2IOc19xXAlA_IPLB2iJ_ps7NiE/s1600/replacement+part.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I learned that getting a good 3D scan is not that easy, but it was a great experience.<br />
<br />
After realizing that the precision and curves of this part would require more experience and better tools than I had access to, I decided to send my modeled file to someone who could give me an estimate on getting a more precise model of the part I modeled and getting it printed in a substance that could withstand the tension that moving a screen back and forth on a track would produce.<br />
<br />
Johnny from Delray, whom I discovered on from <a href="http://www.makexyz.com/" target="_blank">Makexyz </a> modeled the part, printed it, and provide us with the STL file for $30. You can <a href="http://www.123dapp.com/smb-123D_Design/RV-Print/2117066" target="_blank">view it in 3D here.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJ1fijV7HCq1rOEKwCbc1MedXRJXLlNIEbFiByNRXAUfErOlu5N7JDIzGBf-MeSqIB8sqJ7IKO287oBEjgfjXZx8Fr7-bUWV4fuS7ZUJl15QKhCWL-vjdwf0c9xSMCABS9lJAKZoK0k/s1600/RV+part+download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiJ1fijV7HCq1rOEKwCbc1MedXRJXLlNIEbFiByNRXAUfErOlu5N7JDIzGBf-MeSqIB8sqJ7IKO287oBEjgfjXZx8Fr7-bUWV4fuS7ZUJl15QKhCWL-vjdwf0c9xSMCABS9lJAKZoK0k/s1600/RV+part+download.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
He quoted us an additional price if we wanted 10 more of the same part. We have decided to test it for a while. The little knobs broke off when we put the part in the window, but they don't impeded the part from doing the job of keeping the screen 'intact' on the track. We are thinking that the part needs to be printed with a slightly more flexible material.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYv4g9Bjf8C9eSgL70JI7r5B6wYgsGIo6h4My_FbQ06DSdSq1j74AdcHgHOe4WwD1RjzVtGHsN6Q-v-IWhoHem0ZRLwdRze68Cd0b7mJa1wwdprp19Wonos3-9nZz7UW7a-tIZvY_eyg/s1600/photo+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYv4g9Bjf8C9eSgL70JI7r5B6wYgsGIo6h4My_FbQ06DSdSq1j74AdcHgHOe4WwD1RjzVtGHsN6Q-v-IWhoHem0ZRLwdRze68Cd0b7mJa1wwdprp19Wonos3-9nZz7UW7a-tIZvY_eyg/s1600/photo+(17).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Upon the recommendations of my classmates in Intro to Physical Computing, I've decided to try to have the part printed at Shapeway since they had a wide variety of materials to choose from. We've ordered 5 copies which comes to about $17.00 (with shipping).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJUiCLi988OPMfOMyNGpXzuvHyOd4CJLKhXyGozovJbaeoNA6WZcb8huQtcA7IJotUrquKD1Cm__J6__9EK5CsJNP-vFJaA5AKPH-IHqCad_F9SCneMqRDxPKI6e2ueJcjzK2Lakh4ys/s1600/Shapeway+screencast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJUiCLi988OPMfOMyNGpXzuvHyOd4CJLKhXyGozovJbaeoNA6WZcb8huQtcA7IJotUrquKD1Cm__J6__9EK5CsJNP-vFJaA5AKPH-IHqCad_F9SCneMqRDxPKI6e2ueJcjzK2Lakh4ys/s1600/Shapeway+screencast.png" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Johnny's story is an interesting one so we asked him if we could interview him. This interview is a great inspiration of a young man who had an idea and thought himself the skills he needed to make his idea a reality. He has no formal training in 3D printing, but wanted to create a prototype for an invention. He not only taught himself the skills, but also brought a 3D printer to create the prototype.<br />
He currently has a patent pending on the kitchen gadget that he invented. That is what I call a real Maker.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gaBBfv9G7Hc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-27707474823980906742014-01-25T17:32:00.001-08:002014-01-25T17:44:06.028-08:00Maker 'STUFF"<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
In Chapter 8 of<a href="http://encourage%20diversity%20in%20your%20maker%20space%20with%20the%20right%20stuff%20to%20attract%20all%20types%20of%20makers./" target="_blank"> Invent to Learn</a>, Stager and Martinez offer a long list of stuff that a maker space should have for students to tinker with, design, or solve problems. The one part of the list that could easily get looked over is 'arts and craft' materials. You should ABSOLUTELY not skimp on these.<br />
<br />
I would advocate that the Maker Space needs to be filled with lots of colorful materials along with arts and craft stuff. Don't limit your maker space to mechanical stuff and electronic stuff. The Google Maker Space - The Google Garage pulls you in and spews of creativity. I would love all maker spaces to look like this.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/74329529" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeo.com/74329529">Inside The Google Garage</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/bfdnyc">BFD Productions, LLC.</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
<br />
<br />
The maker lab can be a real turn off to some who would benefit from it.<br />
Also the Maker movement would benefit from some whom they might never attract.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
I'm thinking of artistic students who are are attracted by color, shapes, textures.<br />
I'm also thinking of female students who might not see themselves as a maker nor interested in the types of products they might associate with tinkering and making.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1Fh41HirKE_CLaxW96JFuUa_swLkIa3_f6d1OA3Zj2ux6JGu02Q_qWajaT54WGAfjOtrB_Xj70W10p8KK_3lJw3Hai7cQSgVSuEQx41rheYHT-fe0ibzsNf7xfY7UD_C8E8pa1G4lac/s1600/pico+crickets.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1Fh41HirKE_CLaxW96JFuUa_swLkIa3_f6d1OA3Zj2ux6JGu02Q_qWajaT54WGAfjOtrB_Xj70W10p8KK_3lJw3Hai7cQSgVSuEQx41rheYHT-fe0ibzsNf7xfY7UD_C8E8pa1G4lac/s1600/pico+crickets.png" height="240" width="320" /></a>One of the things I still own is a set of <a href="http://picocricket.com/" target="_blank">Pico Crickets</a> and all <a href="http://picocricket.com/ideas.html" target="_blank">the idea cards</a> that come with them. They were amazingly effective in getting girls to 'make'. Every year for summer camp I would round up all types of colorful and unique materials that my 'campers' could use to invent with.<br />
<br />
The unique designs that came from this (from both girls and boys) were amazing. It reached a different type of student. One that would not necessarily be attracted to the <a href="http://www.picocricket.com/individual-parts.html" target="_blank">sensors, motors, and alligator clips</a>.<br />
<br />
A few years ago I picked up some Lego Mindstorm kits and created a robotics center at Tech Savvy Girls camp. The girls were NOT drawn to it even though it was lead by an amazing fun energetic young lady. Reluctantly, a couple of girls agreed to be the first to give it a try. We COULD NOT get them to stop and give the other girls a chance once they got going. Several girls put Mindstorms on their Christmas wishlist that year. We had a great debriefing session with the girls about their change of heart which ended up with them redesigning the LEGO box - they spiced up the font and made it more funky and colorful and added funky accessories. I actually had the chance to give the pictures to some LEGO staff members who were visiting from Denmark at Tuft Universities STEM camp one summer. <br />
<br />
Another experience that I'll never forget was the summer that I hired Tom Tailer to do an engineering strand for my TechSavvy Girls Leadership Camp. Even though he was highly recommended, I really wanted a female role model for the girls. Tom, a physics teacher from Mt. Abraham High School, turned out to be the perfect match and inspired girls to make the most amazing creative engineering projects. When one girl imagined that the "bridge truss" she was making could be turned into a dollhouse for her younger sister, Tom pulled out colorful pieces of silk cloth she could use to finish it up with. Another girl imagined a treehouse, and Tom came in the next day with a branch from a tree and inspired her design to completion. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQlpdYooTNcPtVu7bdAe3DfCE7sSud0tqx1ldlVv710auvE5fVGwmvwfVUHBwB80E7vBfqeQyhyphenhyphensk41Dgh0Gxyc-WkDn2cqblTbgSTlgOfyubAO2uPm_PplHGAi-usuOXa_yvjjMF-Q0/s1600/picocr3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQlpdYooTNcPtVu7bdAe3DfCE7sSud0tqx1ldlVv710auvE5fVGwmvwfVUHBwB80E7vBfqeQyhyphenhyphensk41Dgh0Gxyc-WkDn2cqblTbgSTlgOfyubAO2uPm_PplHGAi-usuOXa_yvjjMF-Q0/s1600/picocr3.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So as you equip your maker space, make sure that there are plenty of arts and crafts materials mixed in with electronics and mechanical parts. Remember that what pulls you in might not be what pulls others into the design cycle. Encourage diversity in our maker space with the right stuff to attract all types of makers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-31538076367374254462014-01-18T06:25:00.000-08:002014-03-30T09:01:51.747-07:00From 3D printing assignment to fun Friday night date<div class="p1">
How my 3D printing assignment turned into a fun Friday Night Date night in Delray</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This semester I am enrolled in a graduate class - Introduction to Physical Computing from <a href="http://gradschool.marlboro.edu/" target="_blank">Marlboro College Gradaute and Professional</a> studies. Our assignment this week was to complete the cycle from design to printing of a 3D object. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejDGu4fDoy_U475oOO2eya8OLOUC1CBvYk0Gb5fVvDNfOqEfVlxrwuUQb7o4q6M8b8NV4ySJhywT4Bmo2095856mba-Mi4a215zH1TKT563dh-jpghARrJ51O0by6HBDnVSMUnFLPg8A/s1600/8Qr2T_l35v_ZwcgcfCIQiKgEskMSEcCH7V_J_zeR7vyZlaG0jVu9O1qT-3OpmmgcsJU4Yt81kXC1ZRk1yI3YsiK3Qf2Ur-yZ9NBMRBrfE62yd-SvAjA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejDGu4fDoy_U475oOO2eya8OLOUC1CBvYk0Gb5fVvDNfOqEfVlxrwuUQb7o4q6M8b8NV4ySJhywT4Bmo2095856mba-Mi4a215zH1TKT563dh-jpghARrJ51O0by6HBDnVSMUnFLPg8A/s1600/8Qr2T_l35v_ZwcgcfCIQiKgEskMSEcCH7V_J_zeR7vyZlaG0jVu9O1qT-3OpmmgcsJU4Yt81kXC1ZRk1yI3YsiK3Qf2Ur-yZ9NBMRBrfE62yd-SvAjA.jpg" height="158" width="320" /></a></div>
I already knew that I’m not very 3D spatial by nature, so I was not surprised to be challenged by this assignment. I had tried <a href="http://www.sketchup.com/" target="_blank">Sketchup</a> a few times and always amazed at what I have seen 5th graders do with this professional level tool. But then again I can’t hold a candle to a 5th grader at any video game that requires 3D movement. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
My husband suggested that a dice might be a good entry point for me. Sounded good, but I wanted something a little more creative, than the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6 on a cube, so I came up with the idea of six inspiring words on each side of my cube. <span style="color: red;">(imagine, invent, innovate, create, make, learn).</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Now inspired, I was ready to tackle the task. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Since I am on a personal inquiry about the role of mobile tools in the “maker movement” I thought I’d give this a try using some of the <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/mobile-apps" target="_blank">AutoDesk iOS Creativity apps</a> that I had once downloaded on my iPad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N9z8g1nZKNI21kY9P7u9g2IVz_Y6wBTnyRERo37yQl7WuDeg-Yo_uXxFguuHHA9uCzXxUzZjN_l-MKg_dCyaOR2b0-6ypoEe_s9wPqwBOvrGKWKuywSA_MKETw5hjMw_HLa1sw1br8Q/s1600/autodesk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5N9z8g1nZKNI21kY9P7u9g2IVz_Y6wBTnyRERo37yQl7WuDeg-Yo_uXxFguuHHA9uCzXxUzZjN_l-MKg_dCyaOR2b0-6ypoEe_s9wPqwBOvrGKWKuywSA_MKETw5hjMw_HLa1sw1br8Q/s1600/autodesk.png" height="124" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Although these are amazing apps, I was not inspired by the parts available on the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/123d-design/id567821620?ls=1&mt=8" target="_blank">123D Design</a> iOS app. They all felt so mechanical and robotic, and there did not appear to be any way to add text to my cube, so I proceeded to the <a href="http://blog.123dapp.com/2013/07/introducing-123d-design-online" target="_blank">online version of 123D design</a> using my computer and found that it had a feature called SmartText that allowed for text extrusion. By sticking with a cloud based product I felt like I was still within the realm of mobile since inspired students could use this tool on ANY computer that had internet access and would not have to download software. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8aH71Mc_MiRAZw5teV_q1elUTN0zrDmRMm2wK6-GHw-093i3SQrYTLPgOVEgNH552AvsqVWAvB1ob1gJmZZuWFdQbNxP7PyFabkYIUL5mfCVC3uMd9NhBjX-sOjHMrCzTEkggOHlhd8/s1600/Lucie+Imagine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8aH71Mc_MiRAZw5teV_q1elUTN0zrDmRMm2wK6-GHw-093i3SQrYTLPgOVEgNH552AvsqVWAvB1ob1gJmZZuWFdQbNxP7PyFabkYIUL5mfCVC3uMd9NhBjX-sOjHMrCzTEkggOHlhd8/s1600/Lucie+Imagine.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
Unfortunately my lack of experience did me in. Although I was successful in getting one of the words etched into one side of an object by pushing it down into the object and using the void feature, I eventually became frustrated at my lack of understanding of how to join objects on different planes as I tried to work with the other sides. There was so much more to learn to get this right and every piece of new learning was taking so long. Thus I decided it was better to complete the ‘cycle” from design to print with something simpler than to keep building my skills in using the design software. So I settled for a small object that had the word “imagine” etched in. I could always come back and build my design skills later. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
On to the next step in in the process. After exploring 2 popular sites for getting objects printed on a a 3D printer (<a href="http://www.sculpteo.com/" target="_blank">Sculpteo</a> and <a href="http://www.shapeways.com/" target="_blank">Shapeway</a>) I learned that as long as I could get my design in a format called <a href="http://www.ennex.com/~fabbers/StL.asp" target="_blank">STL</a> I could upload it to those sites and order my object in a variety of colors and textures. I was even more impressed when I noticed that 123D Design (and probably many other pieces of software) had a “Send to 3D printer” feature what connected with one or both of these online printing services. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3rLCvzmIW6MEp9HH5Uzx0393hySNv5r4M7kLpjJ4n9QTw3jJN1SgMBL9cypW_6za9DjqycAkUJNM0RFoXO0fMqcq60SATToELwY11jP45GiqD6FjPqFMjLTog71oU5PxZv7pS9Ugzyk/s1600/pot.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3rLCvzmIW6MEp9HH5Uzx0393hySNv5r4M7kLpjJ4n9QTw3jJN1SgMBL9cypW_6za9DjqycAkUJNM0RFoXO0fMqcq60SATToELwY11jP45GiqD6FjPqFMjLTog71oU5PxZv7pS9Ugzyk/s1600/pot.png" height="200" width="178" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEuv_T-t8zbrDo6-_IOibXgRQIj5fm1HmuZGFfkeFBzZ7rC2jEklN7hy5HNAeBYKuzxAoVRRey4yYJfwP2vyQIWgqfyWTPRvRQPGk-BLwUHmyDxAaIwLBoKRsmpU_DR31QnzQAwfKtm0/s1600/tumblr_mxs3y8xwMj1t07yf3o5_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEuv_T-t8zbrDo6-_IOibXgRQIj5fm1HmuZGFfkeFBzZ7rC2jEklN7hy5HNAeBYKuzxAoVRRey4yYJfwP2vyQIWgqfyWTPRvRQPGk-BLwUHmyDxAaIwLBoKRsmpU_DR31QnzQAwfKtm0/s1600/tumblr_mxs3y8xwMj1t07yf3o5_1280.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>Who ever thought you could print such creative objects such as <a href="http://www.sculpteo.com/en/design/sketchup-320/doNP6NQH?uuid=PeA778L5lPZ4srCO0kgve#tab=material" target="_blank">this spiral "pot"</a> or <a href="http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/2419-The-Laser-Girls-Rocking-3D-Printed-Nails-at-MAD-in-NYC.html" target="_blank">custom designed fingernails</a>.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
However I was quite surprised at how small my object had to be to stay under the $10 cap we were trying to work with. I reduced the size of my objects to about 3 cm long. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlj-5EzXUJOfNzu3VzLiW_PMfGzMo75f44B9S8ia-UTZAnLYZIxTZX5l1uYsC6x_pAQRZU4OYhQL9uVns-_RdOWAOMGHuGKmMz6hJxb0VtmMofVVcX6X9CYO-MZ0WYCxnzKaEwkdlRKY/s1600/media-20140118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlj-5EzXUJOfNzu3VzLiW_PMfGzMo75f44B9S8ia-UTZAnLYZIxTZX5l1uYsC6x_pAQRZU4OYhQL9uVns-_RdOWAOMGHuGKmMz6hJxb0VtmMofVVcX6X9CYO-MZ0WYCxnzKaEwkdlRKY/s1600/media-20140118.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Unfortunately the turnaround time for delivery was a little too much for my mobile lifestyle and even with expedited shipping it would arrive the day after we hit the road again. However this constraint led me to explore<a href="http://www.makexyz.com/" target="_blank"> makeXYZ.com </a>where people list their 3D printers locations and offer to 3D printing </div>
services. I found 2 within a 20 minute drive from our campground and started a conversation with a young man named Johnny Harris in Delray. He quoted me $10 or $15 depending on the resolution plus a small service feel. I opted for the higher resolution and made arrangements to pick up my 3D print in a public place (hotel lobby in Delray). <br />
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I now own a $17 red piece of plastic (3 cm long) with the word “imagine” etched in. But heck, the experience was totally worth the cost. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The best part of the experience was hearing Johnny’s story. He is self taught with no formal training. He bought the 3D printer because he had an invention he wanted to make and didn’t have a way to get a prototype. The invention ( a vegetable peeler that peeled from all sides) is now in the patent process and this young man is now building a new fancier 3 D printer. We were quite impressed with him. So much so that we commissioned him to model a part for our bus and print 10 of them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkkTJjzeP-myHGnvOiBy2uZ9vDKEmZ-V0IRSceIXxWSyV8ZgN9-9XwxeeN3nequVIlBA0wwXhLz3m64oFWQ3DSCHNC2yTLR-QpFByLpJu_1Qad0Ff_2IOc19xXAlA_IPLB2iJ_ps7NiE/s1600/replacement+part.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfkkTJjzeP-myHGnvOiBy2uZ9vDKEmZ-V0IRSceIXxWSyV8ZgN9-9XwxeeN3nequVIlBA0wwXhLz3m64oFWQ3DSCHNC2yTLR-QpFByLpJu_1Qad0Ff_2IOc19xXAlA_IPLB2iJ_ps7NiE/s1600/replacement+part.jpg" height="91" width="200" /></a></div>
The $100 feel might seem a little more than we wanted to pay for 10 small plastic pieces, but we both liked the idea of supporting Johnny’s entrepreneurial journey - and if the material is strong enough to do the job of holding our screens in place, then perhaps Johnny will have lots of new customers from the Wander-lodge bus owners around the country who can no longer get this part. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaTnvli94HR-mfUuHkrw67ziOod7pFIua3JxF0PPXFa_pjk4Aa53peAoXman3zq01XOibQSNVWvNdPEkqGA52KumJvraodiq4I3978gtMnCN2OrfGK_83aZFzp-C8IphYaN81_sCn_u4/s1600/DSC02222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaTnvli94HR-mfUuHkrw67ziOod7pFIua3JxF0PPXFa_pjk4Aa53peAoXman3zq01XOibQSNVWvNdPEkqGA52KumJvraodiq4I3978gtMnCN2OrfGK_83aZFzp-C8IphYaN81_sCn_u4/s1600/DSC02222.JPG" height="111" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg041x4f_lM1vBwEy2EZq5kwDj3V69esskAiapW8I1_FL5BOH8QDPOZ2jmYBajkrHlIj2Uu_beJQXkpxwI0Zzp6xkszxIXgNT-1DafVLU_agTOxhGv9KdqKyKK9uitv94NE0SE9t7YeODI/s1600/media-20140118+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg041x4f_lM1vBwEy2EZq5kwDj3V69esskAiapW8I1_FL5BOH8QDPOZ2jmYBajkrHlIj2Uu_beJQXkpxwI0Zzp6xkszxIXgNT-1DafVLU_agTOxhGv9KdqKyKK9uitv94NE0SE9t7YeODI/s1600/media-20140118+%25281%2529.jpg" height="105" width="200" /></a>It was our first time in Delray and we were quite taken by the creative economy in Delray. We ended up walking around an Arts Garage (seemed like an incubator building for artistic industry), a puppet theater, and a few galleries. We ended up purchasing some fancy olive oils and vinegars and went in search of crusty breads. Lots of dessert bakeries, but no crusty bread until we hit a health food store and walked out with two different types of gluten free bread. The search for bread inspired us to stay for the evening. We did happy hour at an Oyster bar and dinner at a Mexican place that had a large choice of tequilas , really fresh local ingredients, and wonderful service. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZggCKgesXeeBAZsGGNV5MstC_mrhMux_EVnF_TURIYwlpaMnnBGkS4DH-GkfPZhs0p5WArWKNVSfmImDM-o99a9EqjiKCwhcVsyHSqOilHQ39b6KnzrjF1kX0drZ7FudyDSPl6baCCeQ/s1600/DSC02220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZggCKgesXeeBAZsGGNV5MstC_mrhMux_EVnF_TURIYwlpaMnnBGkS4DH-GkfPZhs0p5WArWKNVSfmImDM-o99a9EqjiKCwhcVsyHSqOilHQ39b6KnzrjF1kX0drZ7FudyDSPl6baCCeQ/s1600/DSC02220.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
Part of the street was closed off for a well attended fashion show featuring local designers and shops, which we watched for a while as we walked around town. We finished up the evening lingering over decaf and conversation about how my 3D assignment turned into an unexpected but very fun Friday night date.<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-33942456021476015432014-01-14T13:15:00.000-08:002014-01-21T13:19:08.843-08:00Physical Computing Class - Inspired but intimidated After reading all the introductions by member of my new Maker class, I almost dropped out, but then I remembered the advice I have given so many young
women during my 30+ years of teaching about the 'experience gap" that
women face. Many of my female students have found themselves the only
female in a class where the difference between them and other students
is more than gender - it's also the difference in experiences they have
had (or lacked) that will provide a frame of reference for all they
will learn. <br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I remembered Amber signing up for computer programming instead of the
art class her guidance counselor tried to steer her in because Ms.
deLaBruere told her programing was a gateway to so many opportunities; </li>
<li>I remembered Samantha telling me that she survived her first semester
as a civil engineering student in college because , thanks to Ms.
deLaBruere, she understood that she was 'not stupid' but had an
experience gap with the tools they were being asked to use. </li>
<li>I remembered Tony, Bud, and Corey whose desire to learn how to make a
web server soon was fueled by brand NEW (local) access to the WWW -
the first year that it was NOT a long distance call via CompuServe.
That year I let them "make/build" the first school web server from spare
computer parts in my classroom. I didn't know how to do it, but I knew
how to encourage them and support them to find the resources they
needed. (oh and I also enrolled in Marlboro's new graduate program -
Masters of Science in Internet Engineering) </li>
<li>I remembered my first semester as a grad student at Marlboro building
a Linux server, feeling like I was stumbling around in the dark all the
time - but persevering and learning not how to make a Linux server -
but learning 'engineering thought' and experiencing what it was like to
"truly LEARN" how to learn. </li>
</ul>
<br />
So inspired by Amber, Samantha, Tony, Bud, Corey and thousands of
students that have come through my classroom, I'm staying -- but I'm
super intimidated by everyone else in the class.<br />
<br />
My experience has mostly been to recognize the value of making and
supporting others to make because of its contribution to the process of
learning. I've owned Pico Crickets, Picoboards, a Raspbery Pi,
Mindstorm, WeDo, conductive thread and wearable sensors (Animomagic)
along with Tinkertoys, Legos, Lincoln Logs, PlayDogh and have created
some amazing learning environments for students using these tools. Just
as an orchestra director does not have to know how to play all the
instruments in the orchestra, s/he just has to know how to encourage each
player to be as good as they can be and to play together -- I was very
good at understanding and encouraging my students to reach their goals
and to use some of these tools to help kids learn how to learn.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I packed away or gave away most of my toys/tools when
I gave up my apartment to move full time into my home on wheels - this
1983 Bluebird bus. (our location - where ever the bus is parked, see
map on our blog. We are heading to South by Southwest, which should be
the ultimate maker experience.<br />
<a href="http://blog.livinglearningmobile.com/">http://blog.livinglearningmobile.com/</a><br />
<img alt="My home and office" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB72Cv0RIfsGkCoBqm0VlZYEGcx2o-RQCqTnsMDGQWm3mMb7idNuZs6GM3fMRV15jClN9CgEYjayhSTBizqTKBcrvRComeOLDEy7gvhU9fjIXR96MPKiWJPPx5ZQahPnfHHFfXiYP2IU/s320/buswater.png" width="320" /><br />
<br />
But I'm thinking that the 'bus' will provide many opportunities to
uncover the "maker" wannabe part of me and I'm in close proximity to a
'real maker' - as coach/ husband/ friend who promised to support me
through this venture. He's really good at explaining things and
letting me 'do' and not doing for me so I think this is going to be
fun.<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4134726009743627558.post-48182963618512069142014-01-08T14:40:00.000-08:002014-01-21T13:19:35.293-08:00Moving From Coach To MakerEvery few years I make myself try something new that reaches far outside of my comfort zone. This is the best PD ever, since it puts me in the position of the reluctant learner - the learner who is afraid, the learner who lacks the foundational skills, the learner who is convinced that they can't succeed, the learner who feels they suck at this so why do what they suck at, the learner who will need to develop different approaches to succeed, the learner who is hard to reach for many teachers.<br />
<br />
Some past examples have been learning to play tennis, to swing dance, to drive a motorcycle, to program in Java. We'll this time, I am about to dive into the MAKER world of <b>physical computing</b>. I have always had a maker spirit but reserved it for making in the digital world. Mostly I have used that spirit to coach others to learn by making. We'll this time I am moving out from behind the desk into the world of physical computing. I have set up this blog to document the journey and my learning. <br />
<br />
One additional twist is that I am going to add to this journey is to consider the role of mobile technology in the process of making. What can you do or not do in the process of making with a mobile tool. Let's start with the making of this blog. Using a mobile browser, it is 100% possible <b>to create it on a mobile tool. </b> I created it using Safari on my iPad and will use a few apps to update it, including the Blogger App<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-esrjKVAoKPWQ7SO7_Sb6R6y9u2DXvm8aLTBuqSNBjQoWkFo43_k0QmEr9_KJpLAEHE2kU-1Os-0YMsUEnkKFub3qZo73CzXii1eYCpcb0XlhuYCQ-ELiE16oAjMAE0kMoptige-UTLw/s1600/photo+(6).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-esrjKVAoKPWQ7SO7_Sb6R6y9u2DXvm8aLTBuqSNBjQoWkFo43_k0QmEr9_KJpLAEHE2kU-1Os-0YMsUEnkKFub3qZo73CzXii1eYCpcb0XlhuYCQ-ELiE16oAjMAE0kMoptige-UTLw/s1600/photo+(6).PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0