So many highs in the last week - and just a few lows. Tuesday evening found me presenting on the Makerspace model and Constructivism to the WSFCS School Board and guests. Kim, STEM & Magnet School connection asked for photos, so I asked to tag along. I want to get the word out about how powerful Making can truly be! It was a decent presentation followed by some very good questions. Thursday, KMS had its very first GENIUS Hour! It was amazing! We had 70+ sign up for 3D Printing, but had it whittled down to a manageable 51. Thank goodness for Ann (KMS)& Sage (UNCG) and me me being a trio! I've created a Google Folder and shared the link with the 3D Printing group encouraging them to begin to design. I've also offered those who don't have a device at home to come "check one out" from me. Those who have no device/no web access, we're going to arrange after school or during lunch to design. Ann & Sage and I had a great sit down discussion of where we are. I showed off my Google Form/spreadsheet 15-16 Technology Plan I've sent out to all KMS Staff, Admin and Office Personnel, and the individual Google Docs files to document the process. Sage is going to sit in on the meetings to get the education side of what staff, etc needs - I'm just going for the nuts & bolts "how can I help?" Dave, 6th grade Science Guy did a great spectrum activity in class on Thursday. I got to be a 2nd set of hands, (and took pics!) He's agreed to give Nearpod a go to give a quiz on Friday this upcoming week. Guess who needs to learn Nearpod to lend a hand? This gal! Too, Christopher, 7th grade ELA guru is going to give Green Screening a go this upcoming Friday here in the Makerspace. I've sent him a video I found on YouTube to pre-load the process. We're banking on 20 minutes of actually filming time. 5 screens! - Have to go buy some more sheets/tablecloths from my favorite store, (Goodwill? Of course!) Really looking forward to getting this started. Christopher also got me to set up a Google Doc to upload TechToLearn video possibilities for our Friday Tech in the classroom episodes. - We need to get that started soon! Same with Coding Club! Same with so many things! Those were the good things that occurred this week - the real dip is that I broke 4 spindles off the right extruder fan on the 3D printer. It had clogged ... again, (Yes, Jason Lineberger, it IS a tinkerer's machine - I see that now!!). When I took it apart I was impatient and didn't wait for the fan to stop... pfffft!! 2 spindles flew off! I shut it down, but still wanted to clean the extruder so I held tightly to the fan and turned it back on only to lose my grip pffft! again! another spindle flew off! And another!! I put it back together, turned it on BRRRRRRRRRR!! so loud!.. So I tried to switch to the left extruder and.. it wouldn't push the ABS plastic through the extruder tip. I gave up very dejectedly. Mike (UNCG) is coming to save the day tomorrow afternoon and I have ordered a new fan. I looked for one to make online - Thingiverse had one, but not the one I needed, but it did have great other things! (See what I mean about the Rollercoaster?) Here's to a busy week in the Makerspace. Will get some pics and stories posted soon!
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March 2016
KMS MAKERSPACECreated through the generosity and affiliation with UNCG and its Transforming Teaching Through Technology Grant, (T4), Our KMS Makerspace will offer our students creative ways to design, experiment, build and invent as they deeply engage in learning at Kernersville Middle School. Categories |