maker space ideas

Groups audience: 

I need help from this incredible collection of minds...

If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?

A few additional bits of info:

- The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power of
connection?
- The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
things he found in the junkyard
- This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
materials)
- ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures (we
are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
wind power)

There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
limiting creative thinking?

Any ideas welcome, on or off list!

Debbi
--
**********

Comments

I would definitely want to participate in a maker space.. i believe there
is already one in the area tho? A permaculture makerspace would be AWESOME
On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:

> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>
> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
> materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>
> A few additional bits of info:
>
> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power
> of connection?
> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
> things he foun d in the junkyard
> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
> materials)
> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures (we
> are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
> wind power)
>
>
> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
> limiting creative thinking?
>
> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>
> Debbi
> --
> **********
>
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

I should also clarify...this is a one time workshop and we have probably
around an hour for this part of the experience...

People have been talking about maker spaces in DC for years. The 88 crew
(Bump & Grind in Silver Spring, too) have been working on a warehouse
space...talk to them about that!

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Kenneth wrote:

> I would definitely want to participate in a maker space.. i believe there
> is already one in the area tho? A permaculture makerspace would be AWESOME
> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>
>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>
>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
>> materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>
>> A few additional bits of info:
>>
>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power
>> of connection?
>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>> materials)
>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>> wind power)
>>
>>
>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>> limiting creative thinking?
>>
>> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>
>> Debbi
>> --
>> **********
>>
>>
>> --
>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>> Stop emails for this post:
>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>
>>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

--
**********

Harness the power of connection - nice theme Debbie!

I would include all manner of things that connect things:

clothes pins
paper clips
tumb tacks
binder clips
string
Thread
rubber bands
staples
Safety pins
Straight pins

Less physical connections:
a phone cord (do kids these days even know what that is)
batteries
coffee

ideas to get you started?

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:04 PM, Debbi wrote:

> I should also clarify...this is a one time workshop and we have probably
> around an hour for this part of the experience...
>
> People have been talking about maker spaces in DC for years. The 88 crew
> (Bump & Grind in Silver Spring, too) have been working on a warehouse
> space...talk to them about that!
>
> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Kenneth wrote:
>
>> I would definitely want to participate in a maker space.. i believe there
>> is already one in the area tho? A permaculture makerspace would be AWESOME
>> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>>
>>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>>
>>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch
>>> of materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>>
>>> A few additional bits of info:
>>>
>>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the
>>> power of connection?
>>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>>> materials)
>>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>>> wind power)
>>>
>>>
>>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>>> limiting creative thinking?
>>>
>>> A ny ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>>
>>> Debbi
>>> --
>>> **********
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>>> Stop emails for this post:
>>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>>
>>>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>
>
>
> --
> **********
>
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

--
art. science. love.

Popsicle sticks // or small tree branches
Rubber band // or tree bark
Wood glue // or spit :)

Sent from my phone

> On Dec 22, 2015, at 1:04 PM, Debbi wrote:
>
> I should also clarify...this is a one time workshop and we have probably around an hour for this part of the experience...
>
> People have been talking about maker spaces in DC for years. The 88 crew (Bump & Grind in Silver Spring, too) have been working on a warehouse space...talk to them about that!
>
>> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Kenneth wrote:
>> I would definitely want to participate in a maker space.. i believe there is already one in the area tho? A permaculture makerspace would be AWESOME
>>
>>> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>>
>>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>>
>>> A few additional bits of info:
>>> The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power of connection?
>>> The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together things he foun d in the junkyard
>>> This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire materials)
>>> ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and wind power)
>>>
>>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not limiting creative thinking?
>>>
>>> A ny ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>>
>>> Debbi
>>> --
>>> **********
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>>> Stop emails for this post: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>
>
>
> --
> **********
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209

Kathryn McCulley's picture

Ethernet cables! Buttons, potentially. I'm really enjoying this.

Kat
On Dec 22, 2015 1:18 PM, "lidz26"
wrote:

> Harness the power of connection - nice theme Debbie!
>
> I would include all manner of things that connect things:
>
> clothes pins
> paper clips
> tumb tacks
> binder clips
> string
> Thread
> rubber bands
> staples
> Safety pins
> Straight pins
>
> Less physical connections:
> a phone cord (do kids these days even know what that is)
> batteries
> coffee
>
> ideas to get you started?
>
> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:04 PM, Debbi wrote:
>
>> I should also clarify...this is a one time workshop and we have probably
>> around an hour for this part of the experience...
>>
>> People have been talking about maker spaces in DC for years. The 88 crew
>> (Bump & Grind in Silver Spring, too) have been working on a warehouse
>> space...talk to them about that!
>>
>> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Kenneth
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I would definitely want to participate in a maker space.. i believe
>>> there is already one in the area tho? A permaculture makerspace would be
>>> AWESOME
>>> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>>>
>>>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>>>
>>>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch
>>>> of materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>>>
>>>> A few additional bit s of info:
>>>>
>>>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the
>>>> power of connection?
>>>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>>>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>>>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>>>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>>>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>>>> materials)
>>>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>>>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>>>> wind power)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>>>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>>>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>>>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>>>> limiting creative thinking?
>>>>
>>>> A ny ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>>>
>>>> Debbi
>>>> --
>>>> **********
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>>>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>>>> Stop emails for this post:
>>>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>>>
>>>>
>> --
>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>> Stop emails for this post:
>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> **********
>>
>>
>> --
>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>> Stop emails for this post:
>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> art. science. love.
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

"Work together to create a model of an object or idea that will make the
world a better place."

Something like that may help focus your project without limiting the
creativity. You probably need to flush it out to meet your needs.

Traditional art supplies and cool found stuff will work well. In the
classroom teachers can ask students to bring in old stuff, raid the junk
drawer, etc. Magazines are great too because the images open up many other
possibilities.

This sounds like a really fun project!!
On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:

> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>
> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
> materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>
> A few additional bits of info:
>
> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power
> of connection?
> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
> things he foun d in the junkyard
> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
> materials)
> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures (we
> are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
> wind power)
>
>
> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
> limiting creative thinking?
>
> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>
> Debbi
> --
> **********
>
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

I use magazines in art -- often you can make interesting connections
between the images and words. I would include hardware for pulley systems,
mirrors and simple light sources, magnets. Maybe throw in some dice and a
metronome, small musical instruments like a xylophone, maybe the kids want
to go all Man Ray or Rube Goldberg!

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:46 PM, Ineedaname
wrote:

>
> "Work together to create a model of an object or idea that will make the
> world a better place."
>
> Something like that may help focus your project without limiting the
> creativity. You probably need to flush it out to meet your needs.
>
> Traditional art supplies and cool found stuff will work well. In the
> classroom teachers can ask students to bring in old stuff, raid the junk
> drawer, etc. Magazines are great too because the images open up many other
> possibilities.
>
> This sounds like a really fun project!!
> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>
>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>
>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
>> materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>
>> A few additional bits of info:
>>
>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power
>> of connection?
>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>> materials)
>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>> wind power)
>>
>>
>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>> limiting creative thinking?
>>
>> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>
>> Debbi
>> --
>> **********
>>
>>
>> --
>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>> Stop emails for this post:
>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>
>>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

I know you're doing this with teachers first, but depending on the age of
the kids who will be participating in future iterations, you might want to
give them some kind of frame, stand, or scaffolding to use as a base. I'm
thinking step stools, ladders, easels, that kind of thing. If they have
only a pile of materials but nothing to glue/pin/tack/tie to, they may have
a hard time getting started.

Also I second whom ever said connection tools like clothespins and the
like.

Old bike wheel frames may give them good opportunities to include motion.
And maybe something with weight so pendulums are a possibility - anything
from brooms to corded phones.

Such a cool project!
Sounds like it would make an awesome Burning Man art project too!

Maven

On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, Ineedaname
wrote:

>
> "Work together to create a model of an object or idea that will make the
> world a better place."
>
> Something like that may help focus your project without limiting the
> creativity. You probably need to flush it out to meet your needs.
>
> Traditional art supplies and cool found stuff will work well. In the
> classroom teachers can ask students to bring in old stuff, raid the junk
> drawer, etc. Magazines are great too because the images open up many other
> possibilities.
>
> This sounds like a really fun project!!
> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" > <_e>> wrote:
>
>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>
>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
>> materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>
>> A few additional bits of info:
>>
>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power
>> of connection?
>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>> materials)
>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>> wind power)
>>
>>
>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>> limiting creative thinking?
>>
>> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>
>> Debbi
>> --
>> **********
>>
>>
>> --
>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>> Stop emails for this post:
>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>
>>

I was thinking "what are ways that people connect with each other"? We
connect via our phones, through the internets but also physically over
coffee, chocolate or tea. A little stimulation and the excuse to meet new
and old friends. Since it's kids, I figured you couldn't include whiskey
or fire - which everyone knows is what brings burners together!
Love the music ideas. Music DEFINITELY brings people together!

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:59 PM, emilyhtodd wrote:

> I know you're doing this with teachers first, but depending on the age of
> the kids who will be participating in future iterations, you might want to
> give them some kind of frame, stand, or scaffolding to use as a base. I'm
> thinking step stools, ladders, easels, that kind of thing. If they have
> only a pile of materials but nothing to glue/pin/tack/tie to, they may have
> a hard time getting started.
>
> Also I second whom ever said connection tools like clothespins and the
> like.
>
> Old bike wheel frames may give them good opportunities to include motion.
> And maybe something with weight so pendulums are a possibility - anything
> from brooms to corded phones.
>
> Such a cool project!
> Sounds like it would make an awesome Burning Man art project too!
>
> Maven
>
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, Ineedaname
wrote:
>
>>
>> "Work together to create a model of an object or idea that will make the
>> world a better place."
>>
>> Something like that may help focus your project without limiting the
>> creativity. You probably need to flush it out to meet your needs.
>>
>> Traditional art supplies and cool found stuff will work well. In the
>> classroom teachers can ask students to bring in old stuff, raid the junk
>> drawer, etc. Magazines are great too because the images open up many other
>> possibilities.
>>
>> This sounds like a really fun project!!
>> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>>
>>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>>
>>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch
>>> of materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>>
>>> A few additional bits of info:
>>>
>>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the
>>> power of connection?
>>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>>> materials)
>>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>>> wind power)
>>>
>>>
>>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>>> limiting creative thinking?
>>>
>>> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>>
>>> Debbi
>>> --
>>> **********
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
>>> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
>>> Stop emails for this post:
>>> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>>>
>>>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>

--
art. science. love.

Maybe the kids could role play the various elements that go into producing
wind power. like the sun that heats the air, the rotation of the Earth, the
wind, the turbines turning, the electricity, running to the houses, the
houses, the families in the houses, the power company, etc...

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:24 PM, Kathryn McCulley
wrote:

> Ethernet cables! Buttons, potentially. I'm really enjoying this.
>
> Kat
> On Dec 22, 2015 1:18 PM, "lidz26"
wrote:
>
>> Harness the power of connection - nice theme Debbie!
>>
>> I would include all manner of things that connect things:
>>
>> clothes pins
>> paper clips
>> tumb tacks
>> binder clips
>> string
>> Thread
>> rubber bands
>> staples
>> Safety pins
>> Straight pins
>>
>> Less physical connections:
>> a phone cord (do kids these days even know what that is)
>> batteries
>> coffee
>>
>> ideas to get you started?
>>
>> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:04 PM, Debbi wrote:
>>
>>> I should also clarify...this is a one time workshop and we have probably
>>> around an hour for this part of the experience...
>>>
>>> People have been talking about maker spaces in DC for years. The 88 crew
>>> (Bump & Grind in Silver Spring, too) have been working on a warehouse
>>> space...talk to them about that!
>>>
>>> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:00 PM, Kenneth
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I would definitely want to participate in a maker space.. i believe
>>>> there is already one in the area tho? A permaculture makerspace would be
>>>> AWESOME
>>>> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>>>>
>>>>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch
>>>>> of materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>>>>
>>>>> A few additional bit s of info:
>>>>>
>>>>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the
>>>>> power of connection?
>>>>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>>>>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>>>>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>>>>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>>>>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>>>>> materials)
>>>>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>>>>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>>>>> wind power)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>>>>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>>>>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>>>>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>>>>> limiting creative thinking?
>>>>>
>>>>> A ny ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>>>>
>>>>> Debbi
>>>>> --
>>>>> **********
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
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yes, to the yes, to the yes. keep the awesome thoughts coming you
guys...this is exactly why I knew you'd be the best to ask.

and Seth, we are definitely doing some of that in the earlier part of the
workshop. :) That part I've got down...it's the more hands on
science/tinkering part we are still figuring out because I am working with
a bunch of brilliant minds who focus primarily on literacy and making this
part of the experience as awesome as I know it can be is a little outside
of our expertise. We are bringing in a couple of people to help make it
magic, but I knew you all would have ideas too.

and also, you are all just reinforcing what we already know...lessons
learned in the burnerverse are needed in the rest of the 'verse. you
should know, this is actually for my jobby job. so thank you!!!!

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 2:09 PM, lidz26
wrote:

> I was thinking "what are ways that people connect with each other"? We
> connect via our phones, through the internets but also physically over
> coffee, chocolate or tea. A little stimulation and the excuse to meet new
> and old friends. Since it's kids, I figured you couldn't include whiskey
> or fire - which everyone knows is what brings burners together!
> Love the music ideas. Music DEFINITELY brings people together!
>
> On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 1:59 PM, emilyhtodd wrote:
>
>> I know you're doing this with teachers first, but depending on the age of
>> the kids who will be participating in future iterations, you might want to
>> give them some kind of frame, stand, or scaffolding to use as a base. I'm
>> thinking step stools, ladders, easels, that kind of thing. If they have
>> only a pile of materials but nothing to glue/pin/tack/tie to, they may have
>> a hard time getting started.
>>
>> Also I second whom ever said connection tools like clothespins and the
>> like.
>>
>> Old bike wheel frames may give them good opportunities to include motion.
>> And maybe something with weight so pendulums are a possibility - anything
>> from brooms to corded phones.
>>
>> Such a cool project!
>> Sounds like it would make an awesome Burning Man art project too!
>>
>> Maven
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, Ineedaname
wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Work together to create a model of an object or idea that will make the
>>> world a better place."
>>>
>>> Something like that may help focus your project without limiting the
>>> creativity. You probably need to flush it out to meet your needs.
>>>
>>> Traditional art supplies and cool found stuff will work well. In the
>>> classroom teachers can ask students to bring in old stuff, raid the junk
>>> drawer, etc. Magazines are great too because the images open up many other
>>> possibilities.
>>>
>>> This sounds like a really fun project!!
>>> On Dec 22, 2015 12:12 PM, "Debbi" wrote:
>>>
>>>> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>>>>
>>>> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch
>>>> of materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>>>>
>>>> A few additional bits of info:
>>>>
>>>> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the
>>>> power of connection?
>>>> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
>>>> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
>>>> things he foun d in the junkyard
>>>> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
>>>> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
>>>> materials)
>>>> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures
>>>> (we are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
>>>> wind power)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
>>>> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
>>>> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
>>>> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
>>>> limiting creative thinking?
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>>>>
>>>> Debbi
>>>> --
>>>> **********
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
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>
>
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>
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--
**********

It sounds like a really great idea.

I am working with some folks in the Takoma area on opening a
DIY/create/learn space right near the Takoma metro. We are calling it
RhizomeDC and our goals dovetail nicely with your question. A couple of the
artists/creators that we have been working with that are focused on just
this type of project

http://ayo.io

and

http://www.michaelsmithwelch.net

Rhizome is a not for profit space that is available to make this kind of
cross discipline collaboration easy and available to the community of
creative and passionate people that live in the area. We would be able to
host a brainstorming session with folks if you would like to do that for
your wind power project. Or you could use our space for the actual build.
We are not an actual maker space and at this point do not have access to
all of the machinery and tools that would be common at a maker space.

Please check out our website

rhizomedc.org

We just started to offer programs and performances this past fall and have
stopped for a couple of months while we work on the space that we have
found. We should be up and running full speed before spring but will also
be available for things before that.

Tom

On Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 12:11 PM, Debbi wrote:

> I need help from this incredible collection of minds...
>
> If you were to set up a maker space/design lab experience with a bunch of
> materials to build a kinetic sculpture with kids, what would you include?
>
> A few additional bits of info:
>
> - The question guiding the experience is: How do we harness the power
> of connection?
> - The experience is inspired by a text about a boy who created a
> windmill to provide power to his village in Africa by putting together
> things he foun d in the junkyard
> - This is part of a training for teachers to be able to bring the
> experience back to their classroom (so easy to find/cheap to acquire
> materials)
> - ideally, these would end up as artistically beautiful sculptures (we
> are already doing a pinwheel as a basic example of forces of motion and
> wind power)
>
>
> There are lots of good resources on the internet, but I find those are
> sometimes limited in their thinking of what's possible, and I know this
> crowd is full of impossible thinkers. How do we strike a balance between
> giving enough guidance to structure the experience for success, while not
> limiting creative thinking?
>
> Any ideas welcome, on or off list!
>
> Debbi
> --
> **********
>
>
> --
> Full post: http://dcburners.org/node/209
> Manage my subscriptions: http://dcburners.org/mailinglist
> Stop emails for this post:
> http://dcburners.org/mailinglist/unsubscribe/209
>
>