Summer School Session One: June 12-July 21

Session One of summer school ran from June 21 through July 24. Twelve "rising" 4th and 5th graders (5 boys, 7girls) came to the Lab each weekday from 12-4:30 to take part in our Design It - Make It class. During that time they introduced to and used our digital fabrication machinery, programmed with Scratch, used MakeyMakeys, learn to solder and created amazing things. At first, students were given basic design challenges, intended to allow them to use their newly acquired skills. After that, they were given the chance to "freely make" whatever they wanted. Below are some pictures of what they created.

After teaching the students the circular design process of: identifying the problem/project; researching/questioning; brain-storming ideas; planning the idea; creating and testing; improving/fixing; repeat; they were first sent to create a low-tech cardboard game.

"Robot" Boxing 

Ball Toss

Baseball Throw

Plinko

Next we moved on to making paper circuits, Scratch programming and using the MakeyMakey.

As a bonus, one of our alumni, Mr. Blake, came home after graduating from Santa Clara University and helped us out in the Lab over our 6weeks. He also brought in a Hololens and showed the students what you could do with that.

Students were taught how do design and create with the laser cutter, the 3D printer and the vinyl cutter. For each machine, they were given at least one "design challenge" that they had to do, to show their understanding of them machine.

 Wa'as

Boxes

Name Stickers

3D Name Plate

Catapults

Free Making Stuff

We also introduced them to arduinos and soldering. For most all of them, these were both exciting and scary things. But before you knew it, there were LEDs blinking. And no one "burned" themselves with the soldering iron.

At the end of the six weeks, we had a mini maker show, and invited the parents, relatives and friends to come into the Lab after class to see what everyone made. It was a great way to end an amazing summer of making.

Although this class is over, there is still more making this summer. Next comes M-F, 8:00-2:30 Just Girls Week, then the same thing but Just Boys Week. After that we take a break and will be back to work in mid-August for another amazing school year. Check back to see what the next 2 sessions can create.