• Home
  • Resources
    • Science Survival Skills
    • Project Resources
    • Tech Support
    • Vocabulary Support
    • Maker Lab Resources
  • Grading and Policies
  • Maker Lab Blog
  • Digital Hallway
    • Life Science
    • Physical Science
  • About Me
  • Research
  Home of the SciSamurai
  • Home
  • Resources
    • Science Survival Skills
    • Project Resources
    • Tech Support
    • Vocabulary Support
    • Maker Lab Resources
  • Grading and Policies
  • Maker Lab Blog
  • Digital Hallway
    • Life Science
    • Physical Science
  • About Me
  • Research

The Maker Lab

Spagetti Towers, Paper Circuits & Pepper Pianos...."Oh My"

5/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Our final weeks we tinkered with Paper Circuits, Lil bits, Makey Makey and finished off with a spagetti marshmallow tower challenge.   Students used the Makey Makeys to create pianos from bell peppers and play guitar hero with a controller/guitar made from cardboard and coins.  Makey Makey can turn any conductive substance into a external keyboard!  Its been a fun and fast quarter, we all wished we had more time in this class.  I will miss these kiddos as they head off to summer and then HS.  
0 Comments

Upcycling/Repurposing Projects

5/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Students really got into our upcycling and repurposing project this year.  They worked in partners or solo to take an item that was either discarded or no longer in use, then give it a new purpose or aesthetic.   There were so many creative and fun projects produced!  Students rescued an abandoned bike from the woods and used it for two projects.  We scrounged old books and turned them in decorative elements.  Kids found stuff in their yards, closets and even school grounds.  Hopefully this helped them see the worth in materials that we throw away or discard in lives, maybe inspire them to repurpose other items in the future. 
0 Comments

Cardboard Challenge 2017

5/15/2017

0 Comments

 
One of our first projects was the Cardboard Challenge!  This is an international program where people are given a certain amount of time and materials to create something out of cardboard. It was inspired by one little boy's creation, Caines Arcade, highly recommend watching the short film. It's fun and creative, but a gentle introduction in designing and building in groups.  We had a lot of fun.  Student's were asked to build something they could "Play".  
0 Comments

Maker Lab Opens Spring 2017

5/15/2017

0 Comments

 
4th quarter this year I was thrilled to open the SWMS Maker lab and teach the first Maker Lab exploratory.  This has been a dream of mine for the past two years and it's exciting to see it realized.  We started the class with basic engineering and team work challenges, then moved on to cardboard challenges.  The kids were incredibly engaged, and fun to be around.  This course will help them develop and discover the ability to problem solve, innovate, collaborate, tinker and design.  I'm thrilled to be their guide as we explore engineering, computer science, textiles, woodworking, small engines, crafts, and electronics to name a few. 
0 Comments

    wHAT IS A MAKER LAB?

    Our Maker Lab is a place where kids can come to create, innovate, tinker, and explore a variety of materials and technologies.  During class students will be exposed to engineering and design, computer science, electronics, and a variety of trade skills.  The course is based on student interests, goals and creativity, not a set curriculum.   
    Picture
    Maker Lab Canvas Pg

    want to mentor?

    Interested in sharing a skill like sewing, soldering, small engine repair, jewelry making, or anything students might enjoy? Or just want to work with young people who are tinkering or building? We would love to have you join us!  Call 224-9022 or email me cnichols@kpbsd.org.

    Categories

    All
    2017
    Cardboard Challenge
    Makey Makey
    Paper Circuits
    Spring
    Tower Challenges
    Upcycling

    RSS Feed

Need more help? Have more questions? 


Seward Middle School

304 Sealion Ave
PO Box 1149

Seward, AK 99664

Classroom Telephone

907-224-9022
Seward Middle School Phone
907-224-9000

Email

cnichols@kpbsd.org
  • Home
  • Resources
    • Science Survival Skills
    • Project Resources
    • Tech Support
    • Vocabulary Support
    • Maker Lab Resources
  • Grading and Policies
  • Maker Lab Blog
  • Digital Hallway
    • Life Science
    • Physical Science
  • About Me
  • Research