The Threshold Problem For Makers There’s a fascinating phenomenon in chemistry called activation energy – the minimum amount of energy that has to enter a system before the chemical reaction can occur. Remarkably, this idea, that a system or object needs a minimum “thing”, whether energy, momentum, quality, for a certain outcome to occur canContinue reading “Thresholds and AI: Mindsets & Toolsets for a Maker”
Category Archives: Education
Techniques and Tips for Working in Cardboard
In spring ’24, I TA’d an Art & Design class at a local community college, where students designed sculptures from cardboard and paper tape. Planning, material selection, and tools are critical. Source wisely to avoid construction issues. Sharp blades, proper adhesives, and precise paint techniques enhance the final product.
Learn #Woodworking this weekend! Two Spots Left!
What are you making this weekend? Here at Woodshop Cowboy, we are making cutting boards and slab tables at Nova Labs, of Reston, Virginia. Nova Labs is offering two premier woodworking classes at the premier makerspace in the DMV area. If you have ever wanted to learn woodworking from tree-to-furniture, this is the time toContinue reading “Learn #Woodworking this weekend! Two Spots Left!”
This Week in the Classroom: Top Ten Middle School #MakerEd Challenges (Plus Two!)
This Week in the Classroom I’m going to explore a variety of design challenges that I use in my classroom. I designed each of these projects to prompt students to explore the engineering design process, learn basic scientific concepts, such as forces and loads on structures, learn executive functioning and soft skills, and develop presentationContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: Top Ten Middle School #MakerEd Challenges (Plus Two!)”
Learn to Make Slab Tables & Cutting Boards
What are you making this summer? Here at Woodshop Cowboy, we are making cutting boards and slab tables at Nova Labs, of Reston, Virginia. Nova Labs is offering two premier woodworking classes at the premier makerspace in the DMV area. If you have ever wanted to learn woodworking from tree-to-furniture, this is the time toContinue reading “Learn to Make Slab Tables & Cutting Boards”
This Week in the Classroom: The FunKey Super #MakerED #STEM Review
This fall I have introduced a new tech platform into my practice. The FunKey unlocks tons of potential in a classroom. Do you want a board that reads keystrokes and plays like a MakeyMakey but with at a size and price point for a real classroom? FunKey does that. Do you now need a boardContinue reading “This Week in the Classroom: The FunKey Super #MakerED #STEM Review”
Home #Makerspace: DIY Air Hockey Table for Under $40
This is a scaled down, fun-filled air hockey table is a perfect summer project. Two employees of Brunswick Billiards Co invented Air Hockey in the 1960s. The game field consists of a low-friction (usually by means of an air blower creating an air cushion under the puck) playing field with two goals. Each player hasContinue reading “Home #Makerspace: DIY Air Hockey Table for Under $40”
Home #Makerspace: A DIY Carrom or Marbles Game Board!
This week, we built a game board which you can customize to play marbles, skittles, carrom, billiards, pool, shuffleboard, crokinole and more! My game board features two games, marbles and carrom. Marbles has been played for thousands of years in various forms. Carrom is a “strike and pocket” game that evolved in East India. BothContinue reading “Home #Makerspace: A DIY Carrom or Marbles Game Board!”
#MakerEd in the Classroom: Exploring #3DPrinting FAQs & Resources
This week I will answer some of the most common questions about 3D printing I get asked as a Maker Educator by administrators and classroom teachers. Last summer, I published a similar guide for the Home #Makerspace!
Home #Makerspace: Build a Pinewood Derby Car With #YoungMakers
Every winter, millions of families prepare for serious bonding time at kitchen tables, in garages and in workshops across the country. We enter with dreams of speed, beauty and glory. With a little luck and skill, we leave with pride, joy and a completed Pinewood Derby Car.
This guide will show you how to support and help your young maker design, make and race their derby car.
WSC Designs 