Education

Maker Education is such a valuable role. These stories will bring you the latest information and tales of maker educators who area spreading the maker mindset. Help others learn how to make things or how to think like a maker at makerspaces, schools, universities, and local communities. The importance of maker education can not be understated. We appreciate our educators.

CellyStand classroom project

CellyStand classroom project

Last week, my Juniors and Seniors are creating cellphone stands with laser cut parts. It started with a discussion about how to get a cellphone in good viewing position, and how the sound is often traveling away from the viewer. You may have noticed that when you cup your hand behind a phone in speaker mode, the sound bounces off your palm towards your ears. For many, this was a first project with the laser cutter. Others have been working with it for several weeks on the Locker Organizer project, so were able to start at a higher level.

Continue Reading Chris Connors

“Look inside. It’s amazing.”

That phrase could be Bill Hammack’s tagline. This week, it’s the piezoelectric crystal oscillator in a $9.99 digital watch from Target, a device so ubiquitous that it has become “ephemeralized,” as Bucky Fuller put it: Almost any device that runs on electricity is expected to include one. I knew how they worked, in a general way, before watching this video. But here’s one of the many things I did not know: The quartz crystal in the oscillator is only 3mm long and less than 1mm across, yet each one is individually tuned at the factory. Wanna know how they do it? Click away. [Thanks, Bill!]

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan8

Stunning compilation of high-speed shuttle launch footage

Matt Melis and Kevin Burke of Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center narrate this remarkable 45-minute video highlights compilation of some 30 high-speed clips recorded by the 125 cameras–most of them film-based—that documented each space shuttle launch. Most of this footage was recorded for engineering purposes and, as part of an ongoing effort to commemorate the shuttle program, is now being re-cut for public appreciation. Space, engineering, and photography enthusiasts will completely geek out over this video, and anyone with a pair of eyes is certain to at least enjoy it. If you can, you should watch the whole thing. If you don’t have time, you should at least scan forward to 21:00 to watch the super-slow-motion close-range shot, taken from the support structure, of the entire vehicle as it passes by. Also, I’d personally recommend the wide-angle footage at 31:10 for absolute aesthetic beauty, as well as the booster plumes passing in front of the sun at 34:50. [Thanks, Rachel!]

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan4
Ultra-minimalist laser microscope

Ultra-minimalist laser microscope

The laser microscope builds keep rolling in! This one from reader Steve Davee may not look like much, but it gets the job done with stuff you’ve probably got in your desk right now. The binder clip serves triple-duty by propping the laser pointer up at an angle, holding the button down, and supporting the bent paper clip that holds the sample drop out front in a loop. There are more pictures in Steve’s Flickr set. [Thanks, Steve!]

Continue Reading Sean Michael Ragan

Machine Shop Tips video series

Our pal Jeri Ellsworth turned us on to this awesome series of machine shop vids, done by “tubalcain” (aka mrpete222), a retired shop teacher from Illinois. It does my heart good to think of someone with this kind of technical expertise and years of practical wisdom, who’s already “retired,” creating such great educational videos and […]

Continue Reading Gareth Branwyn12