As a teacher of mostly teenage boys, I can say my kids want to see three things: something on fire, something crashing, or something flying (and then crashing). I love teaching middle-school science because I get to teach motion, which sets things crashing and stuff flying. As written by Jim Steinman and sung by Mr.Continue reading “How to Design a Project-Based Learning Unit (with Catapults & Derby Cars)”
Author Archives: woodshopcowboy
Making a Makerspace: What Do We Make Here? Some Capabilities and Tools for Your Educational Makerspace
This is Part 3 in my Making a Makerspace series. If this interests you, catch parts one and two. A makerspace is a space for a group of interesting and creative people to make something. Makerspaces differ from traditional constructional spaces in schools such as woodshops, auto mechanics shops, tech labs, etc because making bringsContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: What Do We Make Here? Some Capabilities and Tools for Your Educational Makerspace”
Community Watch: Build a Box on Nov. 2 & 3
Some people say that hand-made gifts are the best gifts to receive. Others, like myself, say hand-made gifts are the best to give. Still others, namely fishermen and women, claim teaching a skill may be the best gift of all. Whichever you are, I’m teaching Build A Box on Nov. 2 & 3rd at TX/RXContinue reading “Community Watch: Build a Box on Nov. 2 & 3”
This Week In the Shop: Queen-Sized Bed
It has been a while since I’ve shared a completed project from my bench. I haven’t been particularly inactive, just an inactive blogger. Recently, I completed a queen-sized platform bed for my wife and I. I completed the footboard over last winter break, and this summer I took on the headboard. The headboard and rails areContinue reading “This Week In the Shop: Queen-Sized Bed”
This Week in the Shop: A Quiet Place
This project was for my mother. In order to do it though, I had to build a woodworking shop for my father. Interesting how that works out. All told, this project cost under $50. My father’s garage stuff collection netted me tons of scrap wood for the work spaces, paints and some hardware while myContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: A Quiet Place”
Making a Makerspace: Building Out the Steamworks
This is the second in my “Making a Makerspace” series. Catch part 1, Planning the STEAMworks, here. With my planning done, I turned my attention to “building out” the makerspace. My original plan called for a long woodworking bench against a pair of bay windows with two tool cabinets and four mobile workstations with integratedContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: Building Out the Steamworks”
Making a Makerspace: Planning the Steamworks
This fall, I move into a brand-spanking new classroom. As part of this move, I’ve been heavily involved in the planning, organizing and logistics of moving my school’s Math & Science program into our new digs. In the words of a close colleague of mine, what a great problem to have! Long term readers ofContinue reading “Making a Makerspace: Planning the Steamworks”
We Have A Winner!
Congrats to Pam for winning the Facebook “Race to Thirty” contest. She wins a Simple Tea Box (or maybe some new designs I’m working on). She can claim her prize by messaging the Facebook page or sending an email to woodshopcowboy at gmail.com. Hey, even if you didn’t win, drop me a line! Thank youContinue reading “We Have A Winner!”
This Week in the Shop: 4 Joints For Picture Frames
I’ve been experimenting with picture frames this year. I’ve made a few in school, developed a brindle-jointed Arts & Crafts influenced design, even filled the frame with mirrors and clay. I figured it was about time to report on my experiments. First, a little anatomy lesson. The decoration we hang on the wall has quiteContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: 4 Joints For Picture Frames”
This Week in the Shop: A Simple Pin Marking Gauge
To end the year, my students have been making simple marking gauges. My students learned to create a mortise and use hand planes to fit a tenon in this particular project. Here’s how we did it. 1. Cut a 1″ or 3/4″ square oak strip into 8″ lengths. 2. Cut a 2″ length from a maple stripContinue reading “This Week in the Shop: A Simple Pin Marking Gauge”
WSC Designs 