miniMakers

[Garry Haywood]

this started this morning when I was talking with Isabel about what to
do this afternoon... she asked me if we could to the 'Technology Park'

She had assumed it was, erm, a technology park, as in a playground
where you could play with technology...

Having corrected her mis-impression about it we then talked about how
cool it would be to have such a place. I then mentioned these cool
people I know at DoESLiverpool..

She wondered if Ian from the Cool Stuff Collective hang's out there.
No, I didn;t know who Ian was either http://www.itv.com/citvonline/coolstuffcollective/
but now I know he's a super geek.

I asked what she wanted to do at the technology park and she replied
'wires and stuff'

Obviously, I have Bubblino here and showed her that. She was certainly
excited by the possibilities. And even the OH was impressed with Laser
Etching on Mint Cake.

Adrian's suggestion of doing something on MakerDay is a good idea.
Nice way to generate some publicity too. ANd there are lots of maker
Kits that aimed at the right ages.

The only issue that is there in my mind is safe-guarding issue, but
I'll ask a specialist about that in the week.

[Adrian McEwen]

Hi Garry,

Sounds like a good idea, and it's something that's been mooted in the
past (and even tried to some extent, at the How? Why? DIY! event back in
2010)

There's quite a bit that should be possible without being too dangerous
- breadboards, etc. mean you can do plenty before you get as far as
soldering. That said, DoES Liverpool is part workshop, and so there are
dangerous things lying around, so any kids attending would need to be
supervised. Some proper advice on that side of things would definitely
be useful.

We decided on Thursday (though I've not emailed the list yet to formally
announce it) that we're going to start running a Maker Night-style event
on the 2nd Saturday of each month, starting from Saturday 10th March, so
it wouldn't be too tricky to set aside one area for some mini-Makers.
We could do drawbots without too much prep, and maybe the parents in
attendance could also work out plans for how to take that side of things
forward (with the rest of DoES to call upon for support, obviously :-)

London Hackspace have run a few Young Hackspace events like this, and
have some details and example projects over at
<http://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Project:Young_Hackspace>

Cheers,

Adrian.

[Andy Powell]

Tweeted Ian, @epredator who I met at hack to the future recently and
it sounds like he'll be quite happy to come to DoESLiverpool at some
point so you can stretch the truth a little and let Isabel know that
he does indeed hang out at with us.

> > No, I didn;t know who Ian was eitherhttp://www.itv.com/citvonline/coolstuffcollective/

[pat link]

so if their is a makers day going on this saturday i will come in with
my project.
will show my laser cut design that will hopefully be working with
wooden gear and electronics ;)
i will be bring my youngest lad he loves gadgets , he uses a wheel
chair but sure we will manage to get around.

see you saturday

pat