Craft & Design

MakeCode Cardboard Robots with Kathy Ceceri

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Learn how to program robots you build yourself out of cardboard and crafts materials! It’s a great way for teens to explore how software and hardware work together in robot design.

This 5-week robotics course introduces basic coding concepts using free, online Microsoft MakeCode software, as well as different cardboard construction techniques. You’ll get to design and prototype your own cardboard robots, share them with the class, and work together to test and improve them. A new robot each week!

No prior robotics or coding experience required. See the materials list for the electronics and crafts supplies you’ll need.

Make an Infinity Mirror Box (with secret compartment)

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For Valentine’s Day or anytime, turn a heart-shaped candy box (or other cardboard box of your choosing) into an infinity mirror box that hides a secret compartment for storing candy or other goodies!

An infinity mirror uses an optical illusion to create an endless tunnel of lights. We’ll use a few easy-to-find crafts supplies and electronics parts to create a box that fools the eye.

See a preview, plus instructions for advanced versions, on the Adafruit website.

How to make a Puppet!

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Kids will be guided through the course during LIVE instruction by puppeteer Adam Kreutinger. They will have a blast, make new friends, and learn about one of the most creative visual and performing arts in the world… PUPPETRY!

In this class we will be making one of Adam’s signature Snoof designs! The Snoof is a simple puppet that kids will have a blast making. . . and even more fun using. The pattern is provided free on Adam’s website (www.AdamKreutinger.com).

Supplies needed:
– 16 by 16 inch square of fur or fleece fabric (any colors)
– a 4 by 4 inch square of felt (black red or pink)
– Sewing needle and thread
– Puppet eyes (buttons, ping-pong balls, etc.)
– Hot glue gun and glue sticks
– Design materials (scraps of fabric, foam, pipe cleaners, etc.)
– Sharpie marker
– Scissors

Make Stuff with micro:bit

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Make stuff. Learn to code. Have fun. In this class, you’ll join Maker Camp host and real-life educator, Sandy Roberts, as we explore, craft, and create together using the micro:bit.

The micro:bit by the BBC is an easy-to-code, inexpensive microcontroller designed to introduce kids to physical computing. By using Microsoft MakeCode, young coders can transform the micro:bit into a myriad of devices from game controllers to secret message senders, robots to weather stations. With tons of technology nestled into a board smaller than a credit card, the micro:bit provides many avenues for discovery and invention. In this workshop, we’ll build four different hands-on projects that explore a wide variety of applications for the micro:bit. Class size is limited!

Projects will include:
Hack-a-Badge – Learn the basics of micro:bit as you design your own unique name badge, perfect for any budding mad scientist or secret agent. We’ll start with simple things like creating a badge animation and flashing your name. Then we’ll discover how to send secret messages to others. Finally, we’ll customize our badges to report important data like the temperature, the direction you’re headed, how fast you’re moving, and more. Finish off your creation by wiring the microbit to your custom created badge front piece and show it off to the world!

Set-a-Trap – Protect your lab (or bedroom) with a sneaky set of traps and alarms designed to keep pesky parents and annoying siblings away from your stuff! We’ll start with a clever door alarm and then move on to more complex designs: a light-sensitive alarm and a pressure-sensitive alarm. We’ll even learn to design our own melodic alarm music. With these techy tools, you’ll never need to worry about being spied on again!

Build-a-Bot – Every mad scientist needs a monster robot to be his minion (and BFF)! So let’s build and code a bot of our own using the micro:bit and some junk from around the house! With this project, you’ll learn about some simple machines as you prototype and test your creation. Then go wild with the art supplies and give your bot some character!

Smack-a-S’more – Smack-a-S’more is the inventive take on “Whack a Mole” that puts both your crafting creativity and coding skills to use. We’ll start by making your own plushy S’more character out of upcycled materials. Then we’ll learn MS Code for the micro:bit to code a game that can be played by one or many. So get silly. Get hands-on. And get smart with this fantastic STEAM project!

Origami Circuit Insects

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    Combine simple electronics with the centuries-old Japanese papercraft art of Origami. By adding LEDs and self-sticking motors we’re able to create 3D papercraft projects that move, light up, and blink! Explore art, design, engineering, and basic electronics as we craft together.

    In this workshop, we’ll start by making a light-up firefly and butterfly as we build series and parallel circuits. Then use motors to make a cute ladybug and creepy spider that will wiggle around your workspace. Soon you’ll have a whole collection of fun buggy buddies!

Paper Airplane Bootcamp

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Get John’s latest book, free with camp sign up.  John Collins, world record holder for paper airplane distance, shows the tricks and tips for designing your own paper airplanes.  Learn control surfaces, three axis control, center of gravity, drag, lift, thrust, stalls, circles, loops, flapping planes, and more.  You’ll get the skinny on reading folding diagrams and learn some great folding moves including reverse, sink, petal, squash, and waterbomb folds.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make a great paper airplane, this series of classes is designed for you.  Go from zero to hero in four one hour sessions.  If you’re already good at paper airplanes, John will make you better.  You’ll learn how full sized aircraft work, how gliders work, and of course how that applies to paper airplanes.  If you’re a budding aeronautical engineer, some hands-on learning will give you a real feel for flight.