Make Create Educate

Create a Cushion with twinkling lights This project is to make a cushion with twinkling lights. The light circuit was added to a cushion project during the making of the cushion. This blog assumes you have a cushion project or fabric to sew the circuit on. This project uses the lilypad and circuit as a decorative feature and so it is sewed on the outside of the cushion. This will assist with changing the programming of the lights and replacing the battery. The cushion will be decorative and not washable. You could do a similar project and hide the lilypad inside. Consider how will  you  change the battery. You will need: Fabric for your cushion - we made a 50cm cushion. Protosnap Lilypad Development Board Conductive thread Alligator clips or wire for each light Needle Embroidery hoop Dress makers chalk Software  https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software   Code:  https://www.arduino.cc/en/tutorial/fade   Sewing Instructio...

I recently purchased this most amazing book. Rubber Band Engineer by Lance Akiyama. The purpose behind the purchase was to find some quality projects that had instructions and pictures to learn new techniques with construction. I know you can find them on Pinterest , but many sites have great pictures but lack instructions or quality instructions. Wanting to explore construction with predesigned projects that worked I have found this book to be exactly what I needed. The first project was an opening box using pneumatics. I enlisted the enthusiasm of a year 5 child to gage the difficulty of the task. During construction I was required to assist with measuring accurately, sourcing the glue gun and glue sticks and holding the duct tape. While the box looks complicated it went together so well I found I am " Just as smart at a 5th Grader ". A visual procedure for the project. The box is made from 6 15cmx15cm squares of cardboard. These are then covered with coloured ...

What physical "toys" can you use in the classroom? STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. This blog looks at some of the resources I have been experimenting with. They are often found in Toy shops and Games shops and can be used to teach STEM and computational thinking.  I have not been paid for these tools or this blog. Chibitronics Description : A kit with a book of activities to learn about circuits. It includes activities once a circuit is completed you can draw a picture to go with it. Positives : The use of drawing activities engages people who may not otherwise be interested in electronics. It is easy to follow instructions. All the materials are included so it is a one off cost. Engaging activities that build in difficulty. The kit gives a good understanding to how circuits work. The use of paper circuits can be integrated into origami and pop up cards and books. This is an easy introductory concept for anyone to try. Negati...