This week in the iNEST maker club, students returned fresh from spring break and jumped back into a variety of maker projects. One transition we are pleased to see in the club is students now taking on leadership roles around different technologies. We have a core group of students who are regularly running their own 3D prints and helping to run the prints of their peers. When we started 3D printing earlier this semester, the mentors were running all of the prints for students, so it's exciting to see the students taking over as the new experts in this technology. The 3D printers have a new permanent home in the school library, adjacent to the classroom where the maker club meets. We also observed students doing their own programming of the digital embroidery machines without assistance, so they are taking over that tool as well. We rolled out a new circuit-robotic platform this week with three K'nex control kits. Two groups of students started working with those, constructing a bridge and a carnival swing ride with digital elements--LEDs, rotors, etc. A few students continued working with 3D pens, a pair of students worked with programming Hummingbird robotics using Snap, and one student was observed creating her own digital car using LittleBits parts. She creatively hand-crafted some cardboard wheels for the car, since none were in stock. We've since ordered several sets of wheels that will work with LittleBits to help students on these types of projects going forward.
This past Tuesday after the iNEST club meeting, the school held its annual "springing into STEM" event for parents and the community. The iNEST club was well-represented with a table showcasing three circuit projects, a table showcasing one of the club's 3D printers with students running prints, and a "make-and-take" table where parents and siblings could work on a copper foil circuit project with light-up LED to take away. Thanks to all the girls who helped out with the showcase tables! Our club members also benefited by taking turns walking through the STEM event, learning about science from other vendors. For example, the EPA was represented and had a hands-on activity for students to program arduino boards.
This week in the iNEST maker club, our final week before spring break, Deborah and Stephanie introduced the students to our new sphero robots with some videos illustrating their use. Students downloaded the sphero apps to their smart phones, and school iPads were brought in to use with the spheros as well. Students just practiced learning to drive the spheros this week, and in coming weeks they will use the coding app that works with sphero to manipulate the devices around mazes and other obstacles. Some of the club members helped out Mary Clay this week by stuffing swag bags for the vendors who participated in the "springing into STEM" event held at the school on Tuesday night. The club's 3D printers came in handy for the swag bags, as a little WYWLA badge was printed to tie onto each bag.
Over the past two days, iNEST mentors and students actively participated in the state technology conference, NC-TIES, presenting a concurrent session about the club and also a student showcase with five club members. At both sessions, mentors and students led participants in hands-on making activities with conductive copper foil tape and LEDs. We're excited that five club members had the opportunity to hone their leadership skills by leading a make table at this year's conference for conference attendees and other student groups presenting at the same showcase.
Thanks to Megan Patberg for chaperoning and for writing this summary of the iNEST Club's fall field trip to the Society of Women Engineer's Invent-It, Built-It Expo in Philadelphia:
“The difference between engineers and scientists is that engineers make real what scientists dream of.” Constance Thompson of the National Society of Black Engineers enthused parents and educators of the significance. Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy was provided an opportunity as part of its grant partnership with NC State's College of Education to participate in the Society of Women Engineering’s Invent it Build it Expo. This annual event was held on October 28, 2016 in Philadelphia. Students were selected based on their iNEST club attendance and points gained in the club's 3D GameLab learning environment. iNEST is a weekly maker club that completes STEM challenges. The Expo in Philadelphia led students into focused middle or high school tracks. Students were divided into groups and mixed with students from across the country. Teachers and chaperones were directed to their own session that focused on the significance of engineering in young women’s lives. The middle school students and high school students were provided various design challenges. For example, students designed a house made out of clay and sticks, that was earthquake proof. Additionally, others created a hand that could be used for the disabled to reach items. Middle schoolers were also provided an opportunity to meet and talk with various types of women engineers from across the country. High school students had an opportunity to create a vehicle made of water bottles and participated in a women engineer panel. The teachers and parents attended a separate session. They had to create a “manlander” for their two marshmallow astronauts with only a handful of household materials provided. The purpose of the design was to simulate two astronauts landing on the moon. It provided a different outlook for parents, especially those who have never been exposed to this type of engineering challenge. Students took advantage of the opportunity to do some sightseeing at the Liberty Bell, the Constitution Center, and Independence Hall. They also got a taste of the local cuisine at the Reading Terminal Market and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. The students left the conference excited for the potential opportunities available to them in their future. To be able to see firsthand how women are bringing engineering and designs to life provided the role model and example to WYWLA that anything is possible with your creative mind. The excitement came back with the WYWLA students and made more students want to go next year! |
Purpose:Dr. Oliver's weekly update of activities in the iNEST Maker Club. Archives
April 2019
|