The first day of FETC was great. We had a chance to really focus on important technical innovations that are changing the nature of education. Google applications to make a paperless classroom, experiencing a makerspace and methods of film-making in the classroom. A full day!
The three-hour format allowed us to try out some really interesting tools for the classroom. The makerspace workshop had me totally engaged making circuits using play doh, metal tape and fabric. Nothing that we were using cost more than $25.00 for a simple kit that uses play doh as a connector. Other materials cost just pennies, but I really enjoyed having the opportunity to work with these materials to make different circuits. This is a good lesson for me – you don’t need to have the latest technological gadget to create something new.
my paper circuit – a work in progress
I quickly got caught up in making my own inventions, lighting up diodes and connectiung buzzers. Each station had a differnt challenge for us and what we created was our own. What freedom – to simply use your imagination and succeed at making something new.
Each kit was labeled with its own QR code linking to a website expanding on the activities in the box.
The three-hour workshop just flew by and I thought to myself what would it have been like to learn about circuits and innovation when I was a student, free to invent what I wanted to invent. I never understood circuits drawn on a caulk board.
Although I have understood for a long time the importance of makerspaces as a way to encourage innovation and creativity, I have never taken the time to actually sit and work through some of these tasks. So simple, but so empowering.
The Squishy Circuits site – kits cost $25.00, but you can buy the parts separately
When I return to school, I will look for ways to incorporate some of these great ideas into our makerspaces. No need to look for the newest robotics kit – kids can create with some of the simplest materials available. The key element in all this is simply to let kids create, don’t wait to amass a huge pile of wires and diodes, just get a few simple kits and get started!
eTextile project – again, very simple materials that kids could use to innovate
Whole-Hearted 