Technology

Intro to Live-Streaming

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Zoom and Meet have become the norm for classes and gatherings these days. Often, the limited functionality of conferencing software doesn’t go far enough to help you get your ideas across and hold the attention of your audience. Dedicated livestream software lets you build scenes, share media, and truly present creatively on platforms your audience already uses like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Zoom, and anything else that let’s you plug in a virtual camera. In exploring the packages available and techniques used to lead sessions from classes to family gatherings, we’ll build an interactive quiz show, suitable for a small group of friends. Once you’ve mastered the concepts used to make a fast-paced quiz, you’ll understand how to apply all of this to future classes and presentations that you offer on your own YouTube channel or here through Maker Campus!

Two livestream packages will be used in class: Ecamm Live, and OBS Studio. OBS works on multiple platforms and is completely free. Ecamm is a Mac-based application that has a free trial period that you can use during class. The real diehard tinkerer can even get OBS Studio running on a Raspberry Pi. It is not necessary to run Ecamm to take this class. It is recommended for those on Macs due to it’s less resource intensive requirements.

Storytelling with Servos

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Join Jorvon Moss, Jasmine Florentine and Ryan Jenkins for a playful workshop to explore storytelling with servo motors. We love building friendly, ticklish, and whimsical robots, while experimenting with the connections between art, science and technology. 

In this two-hour workshop, you’ll get an introduction to using the BBC micro:bit, servo motors and block-based coding language. Each of the session leaders will showcase examples of how they tell stories with robots. Then we’ll start playing with MakeCode and create a simple program that can be used as the basis for further explorations. 

In the workshop, you’ll get the chance to build your own designs with support from facilitators, ask questions and share ideas with the group.  We’ll also have a behind-the-scenes tour of the Jorvon’s workshop and get to see some inspirational examples of wearable companion bots that make use of unusual and familiar materials.

Who It’s For:

  • Beginners (no experience working with these technologies is required)
  • Families (children 8+ up recommended)
  • Artists
  • Makers
  • Educators

Schedule

  • Live demos of Jorvon, Jasmine, and Ryan’s robots
  • Introduction to the micro:bit & using servos
  • Breakout rooms: Building time, with guidance from facilitators
  • Virtual Tour of Jorvon’s Workspace/Robots  
  • Sharing Our Own Projects

Monitoring Water with Arduino Connected Sensors

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Join Gearbox Labs in this four-week workshop on building and using Arduino-connected science sensors to monitor water.

This workshop will feature four water sensors:

  • Water Temperature Sensor
  • pH Sensor
  • Soil Moisture Sensor
  • Turbidity Sensor

The workshop is designed for educators, science students, and science enthusiasts who want to learn how to build and use Arduino-connected, water monitoring sensors to collect data. The workshop will start with digital design and prototyping and then continue to building and coding the sensor.

The workshop will also cover collecting larger scientific data sets using MS Excel and will demonstrate Internet of Things connections to sensors.

Experience with Arduino Uno is helpful and having the parts to build the projects will maximize your participation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Create your own Robotics Club with Micro:bit

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Create your own robotics club at home, school or as entrepreneurship with Micro:bit the leading microcontroller for teaching robotics and electronics for kids.

We will show what you need to start a successful  robotics club with micro:bit workshops taking advantage of all the open source resources available from software to complete ready made lessons.

Learn with our Micro:bit Champion coach designated by the Micro:bit Foundation for the 2021 program.

Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero

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A 10-class online course to learn the basics of biotechnology and genetic engineering!

This biotechnology class will help you to discover what biotechnology is, and how to use it to make new and exciting things. You’ll even try your hand at genetic engineering, no prior knowledge necessary!

Already, biotechnology affects more than a billion people every year and is a core part of our society. Yet, only a small fraction of the population understands and can use it to help solve the world’s biggest problems; from fuel to food to medicine, all the way to new sustainable, and exciting materials.

Whether you are looking to explore the potential of biotechnology as a maker, wanting to see if a career path in biotechnology is right for you, or even gain some biotechnology teaching skills yourself, this course will help you reach your goal! Each student will learn the fundamentals of biotechnology and apply them in their own hands-on experiments using the class materials. From making bio-art to engineering bacteria with the DNA from sea creatures to seeing DNA in real life, you’ll have the chance to ask your questions, problem-solve and discuss biotechnology applications, ethics and impacts. Join this class to complete your Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero learning Journey alongside your peers!

As part of this class, learners will have the chance to flex their existing making skills, from programming to crafting, by building their own incubator, improving on the designs, and exploring the world of bio-electronics and lab equipment as part of an optional personal project.

Class Overview (subject to change to include discussions, lines of questioning from participants, and project reviews.)

Class 1

What is Biotechnology?

Class 2

DNA, The Blueprint of Life!

Hands-on activity: DNA extraction Experiment

Class 3

Biosafety, Responsible Science & You!
Hands-on Activity: Biosafety & Lab Setup

Class 4

Microorganisms for Biotechnology: Part 1

Hands-on Activity: Part 1 of the Canvas Kit Experiment.

Class 5

Microorganisms For Biotechnology: Part 2

Hands-on Activity: Part 2 of the Canvas Kit Experiment.

Class 6

Genetic Engineering: Microfacturing Step 1

Hands-on Activity: Canvas Kit Results and Engineer-it Kit Experiment Part 1

Class 7

Genetic Engineering: Microfacturing Step 2

Hands-on Activity: Engineer-it Kit Experiment Part 2

Class 8

 Genetic Engineering: Microfacturing Step 3
Hands-on Activity: Engineer-it Kit Experiment Part 3

Class 9

Genetic Engineering:

Hands-on Activity: Engineer-it Kit Experiment Results and Inactivation Procedure

Class 10

Biotechnology & you – Ask a scientist

What’s next?

DIY Buzzing Operation Game with Kathy Ceceri

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Make a personalized version of the board game Operation, where players must remove game pieces without setting off the alarm! You choose the theme, design the board, and build the electric circuit that makes it work. All you need is a recycled box (cereal or cracker boxes work great) and some simple components to create a buzzing, light-up game that everybody will love!

See a preview of the project on Adafruit!

Who It’s For:

  • Families with kids ages 8 and up!
  • Teens 12 and up!
  • Educators looking for in-class or online STEAM activities to share with their students!