Students choose a character and a scene for them, and bring it to life with a microcontroller, motors, lights, and code
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About this Class
Full STEAM ahead! In this class, students combine art and technology to make a character and then build a scene around it out of everyday materials like cardboard, paint, and paper. They bring them to life through coding, motors, lights, and a variety of components.
The class begins by introducing the microcontroller and add-on boards students will be using: micro:bit and the Makey:bit. We explore different components like motors and lights, how to use them, and code them using a block-coding application called MakeCode.
As a class, we’ll decide on a theme for our projects (e.g. movie characters, things I like, famous people). We’ll talk about how to design a costume or “skin” for the Makey:bit.
Then we learn different cardboard building techniques and mechanisms that can be used to create a scene around the chosen character.
Details
- For students ages 10-14.
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Registration closes Wednesday, July 5.
- When you register your youth, enter their name in the Youth's Name field and enter the parent/guardian email address for "registrants email." All reminders and important information will go to that email address.
- Complete and return this minor permission form.
- Please click here to register youth for an optional supervised lunch hour from 12-1 pm for the week of this class.
- A materials fee of $2 is included in the price of the class and covers all materials. Students can bring some materials of their own (see below).
Project
Students will choose a character real or fictional and "dress up" the Makey:bit (the board that will control everything) as the character by creating a costume for it. They will build a scene that makes sense for that character and add motors, lights, and more to bring that scene to life and code it.
Materials
To keep the costs of the class down, robotics kits will be provided for use during class time and will be returned to the instructor at the end of the week.
We recommend students bring their own devices from home like laptops (Mac or PC), Chromebooks, or Bluetooth-enabled tablets. Or they can use the computers at BARN, but availability is limited. Even though they will be wearing a protective gown, it is still recommended that students not wear clothes they'll mind getting paint on.
Prerequisites
None
Class Policies
Instructor
Cecilia Olivera-Hillway is an artist and maker who loves combining art and technology. Her career in education has included positions like Educational Technology Specialist and Maker Space Associate. Her work with electronics has been featured on the Make: website and their YouTube channel, won awards at Instructables.com, and been featured on the DesignSpark website. You can visit her website at: www.cohillway.com
