Focus on the Maker

 

Last summer I spent a lot time thinking about and preparing for a year of remote teaching and learning.  One thing that became very apparent was that my focus would be less on the space and materials and more on the maker.  It brought to light how much time I spent developing and maintaining my classroom space and equipment during a normal school year.  While I felt the loss of not being able to teach from my beautiful maker space, it challenged me to focus on some new areas.  With limitations on materials for remote projects, I dug in deep to teaching the the design process.  With fewer classroom distractions, no passing time in the halls, no clean up/set up between classes, I had more time with students.  I brought storytelling back into my classes.  I focused on social emotional learning and really got to know my students.  I dare to say I even got to know many of my students better in this remote setting.  It was a rewarding, difficult and illuminating year.  My next challenge is taking what I learned from this year and using it to help shape my next year in education.

Design Tech Workshops

I will be leading a few workshops for WCS middle school students during the month of May.  All students will receive a kit with materials needed for the projects.  Space is limited, so sign up soon!

Design Tech Workshops 

Remote Learning Website

I have created a page to start sharing ideas for my students for remote learning.  It is a work in progress, but I have added a few activities for students to start next week.

Design Tech Remote Learning

Public Service Announcements

Check out some of the videos my students have created this year for their Public Awareness Campaigns!

Logos, T-Shirts, and Green Screen!

Here are some pictures of Public Awareness Campaign groups displaying their logos on t-shirts.  It was a lot of fun to jazz them up with a background using the green screen app DoInk!

Raising Awareness with T-Shirts

Most groups are finished with logo design for their Public Awareness Campaigns and have moved onto t-shirt design.  I'm so impressed with the work they are producing!

Brainstorming

Today a few of my classes were able to start brainstorming ideas for our Public Awareness Campaign project.  It was interesting to see what is of interest to this 7th/8th grade class.

First Day Fun!

We had a great first day of school in Design Tech this year!  Everyone learned about heat gun use and safety by roasting marshmallows and making s'mores!

Resin River Plaque

A small group of students showed up one afternoon with a handmade butcher block, a chef's knife, and a string of LEDs.  They asked if I would help them make a surprise gift for one of my colleagues for helping them with the Jr. Iron Chef Competition this year.  Their idea was to make a plaque inspired by some resin filled river tables they had seen online.  I tried to document their process as we worked through this during their lunchtime over the last couple months.

First step was trimming, measuring, planing, and sanding butcher block.

Next, the piece was cut in half to create a space for the "river".  After the piece was cut in half, they sanded and polyurethaned both sides.

They made a small prototype to test the resin river and made adjustments to their plan.

 

Next, they built a "dam" around the river area of the plaque and poured the resin.

They used the heat gun to help get the air bubbles out of the resin as it dried.

Removing the dam from the back of the river was a bit challenging!

They sanded the back of the piece after the resin dried.

Next, they designed and laser cut the dedication piece.

The last step was attaching the knives and laser cut piece.

The students presented their plaque to Mrs. McMahon at the Middle Schools Awards ceremony!

Design Tech Classroom Up Close

I have shared a few pictures of the recent changes to the Williston Design Tech makerpsace, but there seems to be more interest in seeing some of the areas and materials up close.

Click here for an interactive version :)

       

The Sound of Silence

Since the renovation, we have been struggling with the acoustics in my room.  The ceiling tiles were removed, creating a much brighter, more open feel, but now every single noise is greatly amplified. One of the most common issues is the sound of the shop stools dragging and clanking on the floor. I found “chair socks” on Amazon and decided to give them a try. Not only do they look adorable, they actually do reduce the noise significantly! I’ll be ordering more for the rest of the stools next year!

Bridge Testing Excitement

Setting Up the Mayku Form Box

I was lucky enough to receive a grant from Williston's FAP this year to purchase a Form Box.  A couple of my students were interested in helping me set it up and we were able to learn how to use it together. The girls plan to come in tomorrow to 3-D print some shapes that they'd like to make molds from...not sure if the molds will be used for chocolate, soap, or candles yet :)

Laser Cutting and Acrylic Bending

A couple students have been planning a BMX bike track for home.  They asked if I could help them make an acrylic planning tool using the laser cutter so they could mark and erase ideas.  Next, they used the heat strip tool to bend the acrylic into a stand.  Here's a little demo video:

Testing Bridge Elements

Which structure is strongest?

Bridge Planning

Updated Picture!

WCS finished up a major school renovation this past summer.  My classroom was one of the last to be completed.  Here the latest picture of the space...still several more projects to complete, but it's looking good!

Taking Our Work with Micro:bits a Little Further

I have had a number of students in my last class of the year get really excited about extending their learning beyond classroom assignments.  As we come to the end of the year, students are finishing up by sharing their projects.  This first clip shows a student who integrated a servo motor to create a High Five-o-Matic: 

Then this student impressed his class by teaching them how to make video games with Makecode and a Micro:bit.  They were so inspired that they are all trying to make their own games now!

Micro:bit Projects

Basketball Scorekeeper