STE@M Lab Beta Edition

Introduction

Each year I (Jason Stevenson) offer a weeklong, tech-themed summer camp at Moretown School. Inspired by the Create, Make and Learn Summer Institute, this summer I decided to change the format! My goal was to offer an experience similar to Kevin Jarrett's toy hacking workshop in the Da Vinci Corner. 

Makers Space Expectations

Some of the first day was spent brainstorming rules for our space. Some are from a great resource on setting up makers spaces in a school setting, Makerspace Playbook - School Edition. 

• Stay on task

• Take your time

• Be safe

• Keep space clean and organized

• Share

• Keep voices low

• Use tools properly

• Wear eye protection

• Take turns

• No fooling around

• Return all tools to bins after use

• Respect work space

• Be creative

• Follow directions

• Be deliberate in your work

• Listen

• and, most importantly, Have fun!

Materials

I thought students should have access to resources similar to what were in the Da Vinci Corner. With help from Teacher Librarian and Tech Guru, Shannon Walters, I was able to find most of the materials on Amazon.com. Here is the regularly-updated supply list. 

Name Tags

I borrowed an idea from #CML14 and had students create name tags. Student used LED lights, lithium batteries, markers, a name tag and sleeve. 

Let the Hacking Begin...

Unfortunately, students were unwilling to give up their toys, so I had to settle with common household electronics, such as stereos, DVD players, VCRs and even a couple of computer towers! Many of these were donated by ReSOURCE.

Before

After

Safety First!

Goggles, important safety gear in our STE@M lab. Students were required to wear them at all times when using tools. 

Jitterbug Robots

Another idea borrowed from #CML14. Students were given a CD, motor, paperclips, wiring and a variety of craft supplies, such as fabric/felt, glitter, lace, jiggly eyes, and markers. Many of the motors and wires were from the electronics we disassembled the previous day. 

Hard at work!

Initially the students and I was unable to figure out how to make the robots jitter. Fortunately I was able to find instructions online courtesy of Exploratorium, a hands-on science center/museum located in San Franscisco, CA.  

Students sharing their works of art and science.

Meg Allison and her robot. While impressive, it does not jitter so we had to give her a "2" for partial mastery. 

Take Aways

Some of the things I learned through the beta lab experience - 

1. Tools - Have plenty of tools available; the more the better. This prevents unnecessary wait times, conflict and frustration. For taking apart electronics and the jitter bug project, I recommend the following:
• Screwdrivers - small and medium sizes, long and short handled; Philips, slot, and a few of the less common types, such as Torx. 
• Wire cutters and wire strippers
• Various size long-nose pliers, including bent nose
• Glue guns
2. Supplies - Have a surplus of the consumables on hand. For the jitterbug robots, this means plenty of CDs, paperclips, motors, wires, batteries, battery holders, glue sticks and craft materials. 
3. Flexibility - Allow students to work at their own pace. Some may be able to work on their own and thus move through the process faster. Others, on the other hand, may require more step-by-step guidance from an adult. Allow for opportunities for students to express their curiosity and creativity. For the jitterbug robots, I was amazed at how much thought they put into their designs. In fact, I ended up continuing the project another day. While taking apart electronics, students experimented with creating circuits, powering fans, motors and lights. Some were even able to add switches and buttons - something they figured out on their own - and used what they learned in their jitterbug designs. 
4. Safety - Make safety a priority by establishing safe-use rules before using the lab. Explain why these rules are important and enforce them consistently. When a rule is not being followed, call him/her on it. Make it clear that not following these rules will result in being unable to use a tool or even the lab. 
5. Leadership - Encourage older or more skilled students take on a leadership role, helping with problem solving and assisting at stations. 
6. Sharing - Provide opportunities for students to share their learning. Pull students together for an impromptu share by another student. Plan a culminating activity in which students share their final designs with the group, and invite families to attend.
7. Proactive - Protect table surfaces from accidental damage by covering them with cardboard. This also eliminates the need to scrape off the excess hot glue that invariably drips from the gun. 
8. Clean Up - Allow for plenty of clean up time at the end of the day/activity. Decide how you want this to look like and enforce this expectation each day. Since the lab was in a shared space, I made it a priority to keep the space clean and organized. I had separate, labeled bins for each tool type and bins for electrical components (i.e., wires, motors and fans, switches, and gears). 
9. Room Organization - I found it helpful to organize the room into stations. Two large tables were devoted to taking apart the electronics, with another large table for building the jitterbug robots. A counter was used as a glue gun station. A central location was established to house all the tools.