SBMNH Tinker Day

[Preston Holmes]

Bob had pointed out in an email that someone at the Library event on the 21st was passing out this flyer:

http://www.sbnature.org/content/186/file/FLYER_tinker_WEB.jpg

I think this would be a great event to have the Makerspace be represented at and would like to see that happen.

My first idea is a musical/lights instrument played by grounding various natural things along the lines of http://www.makeymakey.com/ projects

The idea would be to have a way to let kids build a control interface out of a variety of materials, and have those simple craft built switches controls some set of elements including music/sound, LEDs and maybe motors?

I'd also love to come up with something kids could make and take home, something that doesn't cost a lot in terms of materials, any ideas?

-Preston

[Jim McGaw]

That is an excellent suggestion, Preston. I second the motion for the interactive demo of the MakeyMakey musical stuff. They had a booth at Maker Faire this past weekend, and the kids absolutely loved the ability to draw their own instrument on paper with a pencil, or to use fruit. Bringing lights into the equation could only make it more interesting.

There are also iPad apps that allow you to do CAD pretty simply. Maybe we can find a good one that would be easy for kids to jump into and have that on display?

Kids also flocked to the compressed air rocket tent. Kids would make rockets out of paper and cardboard, then launch them by stomping a pedal, and they could take their rocket home with them. Another booth allowed plane building out of cardboard, with a similar launchpad and a small prize for the plane that flew the farthest. Materials for this would be cheaper than many other options.

Have kids mix up blobs of electric Play-Doh: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/05/ff_playdoh/

Make some LED "throwies": http://blog.makezine.com/projects/extreme-led-throwies/

-Preston

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[Preston Holmes]

So I'm thinking of 2-3 "player" locations, that would play the "instrument" - some combo of sounds, lights etc.

Then on the side (assuming a 10x10 easy-up booth) a building station, one idea would be just a single robotic finger - this is a fun little thing, sometimes combined into a full hand - here is one I whipped up:

http://cl.ly/1q093J1G1q0R

This would seem like something inexpensive, fun, and not too hard to make.

-Preston

[John Gomm]

If someone wants to build a version like this, it might spark some imagination for home invention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUhSUy3xF6E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
DrJohn