Author Archives: woodshopcowboy

Top Five Maker Projects for the Beginning Maker Ed Teacher

Do you want to get into Making and Maker Ed? Don’t know where to start? Don’t have a makerspace? No problem! Here’s five ideas, classroom tested, which can be built using a minimum of tools for students in the K – 8 grade scale. If you are wondering how to connect these projects back toContinue reading “Top Five Maker Projects for the Beginning Maker Ed Teacher”

Click to Watch a Free Webinar on Project Based Learning, Makerspaces and Maker Ed

Are you interested in Maker Ed, PBL and Makerspaces?  Check out my FREE webinar on PBL and Making and continue the conversation.  I discuss how to move from standards to projects to completed curriculum units. <p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/111853425″>Project-Based Learning through a Maker&rsquo;s Lens</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/nisce”>NISCE</a&gt; on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>  

This Week in the Shop: New Tools, New Projects

I found these boxes inside a log from a tree felled in my parent’s backyard, in the house my brothers and I grew up in. I’m now in my thirties and my youngest brother is closer to thirty than twenty-five. We’ve grown up, moved out, moved back, gotten married, had kids, and brought our kids back. This holiday season, we’ll be together for a few days and hours. Then, like many families, we’ll scatter to the wind. A few years ago, I stuffed my suitcase with a log instead of presents. This year, I made matching boxes for every person in my immediate family – mom, dad and four sons.

Interested in Project Based Learning, Makerspaces and Maker Ed? Free Webinar on Nov. 12th

Continue the conversation with me, Mr. Patrick, on Nov. 12th.   I will be delivering a free live webinar based on my Edutopia article, PBL through a Maker’s Lens.  I’ll discuss the various ways we can integrate standards, choose appropriate projects, build student engagement and choice and generally have a great time.  You can signContinue reading “Interested in Project Based Learning, Makerspaces and Maker Ed? Free Webinar on Nov. 12th”

This Week In the Classroom: How to Build Electromagnets!

Hans Christan Orsted’s discovery that electricity generates a magnetic field led to the development of electromagnets.  Electromagnets are bundles of wires wrapped around a ferrous core.  When electricity flows through the core, the iron magnetizes.  When the electric flow ceases, so does the strength of the magnet.  Electromagnets are integral parts of trash-lifters, alarms, cars,Continue reading “This Week In the Classroom: How to Build Electromagnets!”

WoodshopCowboy.com in the Media this Summer

In an incredible blitzkrieg of media attention, I’m found all over the web this summer. First, Edutopia, a educational non-profit,  published PBL Through a Maker’s Lens this July.  The piece is a shortened, generalized article based on a previous WoodshopCowboy blog post.  So far, it’s brought in 15,000 views and over 1k tweets.  And counting. ItContinue reading “WoodshopCowboy.com in the Media this Summer”

Why I Do This: A Bowl, or a Metaphor

He said, “This bowl was made from Australian Ash that was blown down in Hurricane Ike.  Most of us would call it trash wood, but I cut a few pieces, waited a few years and turned it for you. I thought it an apt metaphor for what you do:  you take in children that othersContinue reading “Why I Do This: A Bowl, or a Metaphor”

Community Watch: Woodworking in Houston

Every Intro to Woodworking class, I try to take a little time to share some local resources for woodworking and budding woodworkers.   Where to buy woodworking specific tools: Woodcraft & Rockler are competing small-business franchises specializing in woodworking equipment for the dedicated hobbyist.  If you want it, it’s there. Circle Saw & Empire ToolsContinue reading “Community Watch: Woodworking in Houston”