Create parade floats out of cardboard, paint, motors, lights, and sensors so they drive a parade route on their own!
About this Class
Full STEAM ahead! In this class, students combine art and technology to make their own robotic parade floats. The floats are built out of common materials like cardboard, paint, and paper and brought to life through coding, motors, lights, and a variety of components.
The class begins with introductions to the microcontroller and add-on boards that will be used - micro:bit and the REKA:BIT - and exploring different components like motors and lights, how to use them, and code them using a block-coding application called MakeCode. Then students learn different cardboard building techniques and mechanisms that can be used for their creations.
We will decide as a class on the theme of our parade and the students will design and create their own parade floats. They will use coding and programing to bring their floats to life and follow a parade route on their own.
Details
- For students ages 10-14
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Registration closes Wednesday, July 12
- 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.
Materials
To keep the class cost down, robotics kits will be provided for use during class time and returned to the instructor at the end of the week.
Students can 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 their availability is limited.
Even though they will be wearing protective gowns, it is recommended that students not wear clothes they would 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
