A Few Brief Thoughts From FabLearn 2015

After two great days at FabLearn 2015 at Stanford University, I return to Hawaii with lots of ideas running around in my head. Here are some of my philosophical thoughts...

Daniel Schwartz, Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education...this guy knows his stuff. I can't wait to get his new book when it comes out, "The ABCs of How We Learn". Two concepts he spoke about in regards to M is for Making: It's an ideal motivation for a cycle of learning; and Where do you look for theoretical inspiration?

Sean Justice, Professor at Teachers College-Columbia University...I want to go back to TC for another degree and take classes from him. His session on "Material Inquiry" was 2 hours long but I could have stayed 2 more...it was so engaging. "Tools and materials influence, inform and 'speak to' the making process, and that this way of learning can spark engaged inquiry an empower innovation."

There were two educators' panels over the weekend and both had talented, smart and creative teachers sharing things they done with their students. One big concept for me was that making in education happens around the world and its impacting students and their communities.

It was an honor to be part of the roundtable "Starting a Makerspace and Program." All the members of the panel had amazing things to share both practical and theoretical.  From Singapore to Canmore, Alberta, Canada to Wynnewood, PA., we all are using makerspaces to help students learn.

I would highly encourage anyone who is involved in "MakerEd" or thinking about getting it started in your school, to go to FabLearn 2016. I know I am going to be there.

Finished Egyptian Artifacts

After students created their artifacts in the Lab...either with the 3D printers or the laser cutter...they took them home to put on the finishing touches. Here are the projects, in their final form:

Incense burner...Created with 123D Design and 

printed on a Printrbot Simple Metal 3D printer...

then painted at home

A bow and a khopesh...Both cut on an Epilog Mini Laser cutter.

The bow pieces were glued together and painted at home.

A Scroll...Also 3D printed.

Then the student glued a paper with

 hieroglyphic writing on it.

A few more artifacts...some laser cut and others 3D printed.

3rd Graders Create Desk Caddies...Part 2

After the imagine and plan stage finished, its was time to prototype and make the final product. Here are a few groups at work.

3000 Page Views In Two Months

I can't believe we just hit 3000 page views...seems like it was just yesterday (actually 2months ago) that we were at 2000. I started this blog to keep track of creating our Lab and recording what goes on here...if we have encouraged anyone to start a similar space at their school or gave you ideas to help your students learn, then that's an added bonus.

Come back and check us out from time to time...we are always posting.

Aloha!

More 6th Grade Egyptian Artifacts

Each day, more students come in to create artifacts that they created. Here are some of the latest creations:

A bow

King Tut's Sarcophagus

Ra, the son god

An incense burner

6th Graders Study Ancient Egypt and Make Artifacts In The Lab

Our 6th grade students are studying about Ancient Egypt in their social studies class. Some of them have been coming to the Lab to create artifacts with the laser cutter and the 3D printers. Here are two of the things they made.

Khopesh...an ancient Egyptian weapon

A Scroll

Eye of Horus-Laser Cut

Eye of Horus-3D Printed

Crook and flail

Ankh

Happy Makers.

Afterschool Class Creates Interactive Posters

The first week of our afterschool circuit class, we made simple circuits with an LED, coin cell battery and some copper tape. This week we took it to the next level and created interactive posters. The students were give examples of interactive posters and then were challenged to imagine their own. After coming up with some ideas, they planned our what they wanted to do and began creating their vision.

Outside the Lab...

Normally here in Hawaii, we have great weather. It's often refered to as, "The best weather on the planet." Well, not today. Just took these pictures from the door of the Lab. I'm staying inside for a little while. 

Thanks Ignacio and Jimena. Aloha!

ThingLink...give it a try

Here's another tool to put in your toolbox. If you aren't familiar with ThingLink, give it a try. Here's one I just made...remember to click on the buttons for more info.

Welcome to the Lab

3rd Graders Create Desk Caddies...Part 1

This idea came straight from the 3rd grade teachers. They wanted to have the students create their own caddy for their table. The students needed something to hold their pencils, erasers and other everyday/at-the-ready items. After some discussion this summer, we decided on a plan. The students would come to the Lab for an intro lesson. Then they would use class time to imagine, plan and create prototypes of their caddies. Once they were happy with their plan, we would return to the Lab and create the final product using the laser cutter.

We began this process on the 2nd day of school (Aug. 26). Here are some pictures so far:

Students imagine and plan their caddy

Students decided on a design plan and started prototyping in their classroom. Teachers are also sending groups to the Lab during classroom time to work on their prototypes. There have also been a few groups that have come to the Lab during recess time as well.