Projects/Partnerships/What I've Been Up To
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Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:32:37 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
I wanted to post here what I've been doing for The Hacktory for the
past month because there's way too much to cover in our regular
monthly meetings. I'm hoping this practice will encourage volunteers
and those interested at The Hacktory to read up on the details, and
comment, then at our meetings we can discuss nitty gritty stuff and
not just give updates. I'll post each message separately so people can
comment on them individually.
past month because there's way too much to cover in our regular
monthly meetings. I'm hoping this practice will encourage volunteers
and those interested at The Hacktory to read up on the details, and
comment, then at our meetings we can discuss nitty gritty stuff and
not just give updates. I'll post each message separately so people can
comment on them individually.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:35:09 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
I just met with Sarah about poster concepts. She had some awesome
inspiration from some old electronics textbooks and a really rad one
on Tesla. We definitely have a good starting point and aim to have
drafts to show the group at our meeting next Tuesday. To start we're
thinking of doing 3 posters, 1 of Philly DIY spaces, 1 about bits/
bytes, 1 that's basically a circuit diagram.
inspiration from some old electronics textbooks and a really rad one
on Tesla. We definitely have a good starting point and aim to have
drafts to show the group at our meeting next Tuesday. To start we're
thinking of doing 3 posters, 1 of Philly DIY spaces, 1 about bits/
bytes, 1 that's basically a circuit diagram.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:42:49 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
Met with Yasmin Kafai from Penn this morning about collaborating on a
grant with her dept. She organized the e-textiles conference last
spring and wants to do more in that area. Specifically, she wants to
develop e-crafting circles to help with her dept's research, but also
provide orgs like ours with workshops, materials, and possibly payment
for instructors. I told her our Soft Circuit Saturdays would be a good
place to get information. We decided to start with a few specific
events to collaborate on. First, she will invite students in a class
affiliated with her dept working on lilypad arduino projects to our
arduino show and tell day. That class ends in March, so we should aim
to have the event in early April. We will then check in and maybe do
something for Scratch Day on May 19 (http://day.scratch.mit.edu/event/
484). Then in the fall we will aim to do some longer-term planning for
the e-crafting circles, and aim to have one workshop in October to
help people use soft circuits to make Halloween costumes. She also
really liked the idea of a longer-term collaborative project, similar
to the Philly Maker Kit idea, in the craft realm. We discussed
something like an e-craft quilt where individuals could make separate
pieces but collaborate to put it together.
We touched on a lot of other topics, it was a great conversation.
grant with her dept. She organized the e-textiles conference last
spring and wants to do more in that area. Specifically, she wants to
develop e-crafting circles to help with her dept's research, but also
provide orgs like ours with workshops, materials, and possibly payment
for instructors. I told her our Soft Circuit Saturdays would be a good
place to get information. We decided to start with a few specific
events to collaborate on. First, she will invite students in a class
affiliated with her dept working on lilypad arduino projects to our
arduino show and tell day. That class ends in March, so we should aim
to have the event in early April. We will then check in and maybe do
something for Scratch Day on May 19 (http://day.scratch.mit.edu/event/
484). Then in the fall we will aim to do some longer-term planning for
the e-crafting circles, and aim to have one workshop in October to
help people use soft circuits to make Halloween costumes. She also
really liked the idea of a longer-term collaborative project, similar
to the Philly Maker Kit idea, in the craft realm. We discussed
something like an e-craft quilt where individuals could make separate
pieces but collaborate to put it together.
We touched on a lot of other topics, it was a great conversation.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:46:49 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
I met with Evan from NextFab, Justin from the Sculpture Gym, PJ and
Mike from Hive76, and Brad about the Philly Maker Kit idea. Everyone
had a lot of good stuff to say, we talked a little about what
activities could happen at each space. Some specific parameters we
mention was that the activities can be basic, not like learning a new
skill, but aimed at bringing people to the spaces. Then we wanted to
have a way for people to engage after their kit is finished, so we
talked about programming the thing (robot, or whatever) so that it can
interact with other finished ones in a special way. We could then have
regular meetups for people who have completed them. Other parameters
were that the kit should have a retail price somewhere between $20 and
$50, and we'd like to have it available for sale by July for the HOPE
conference, and Makerfaire.
Brad then sent a written proposal of a concept he came up with. We are
meeting again Thursday 2/9 to discuss the proposal and next steps.
Mike from Hive76, and Brad about the Philly Maker Kit idea. Everyone
had a lot of good stuff to say, we talked a little about what
activities could happen at each space. Some specific parameters we
mention was that the activities can be basic, not like learning a new
skill, but aimed at bringing people to the spaces. Then we wanted to
have a way for people to engage after their kit is finished, so we
talked about programming the thing (robot, or whatever) so that it can
interact with other finished ones in a special way. We could then have
regular meetups for people who have completed them. Other parameters
were that the kit should have a retail price somewhere between $20 and
$50, and we'd like to have it available for sale by July for the HOPE
conference, and Makerfaire.
Brad then sent a written proposal of a concept he came up with. We are
meeting again Thursday 2/9 to discuss the proposal and next steps.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:48:22 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
Got this message:
Nathan Solomon provided me with your contact--as I'm helping him to
coordinate and build the "arts and non-profits" symposiums for the
upcoming Grassroots Game Conference. The last week of October I will
be curating a performance that will explore intersections of dance and
science. It will feature a new work by former PA Ballet Soloist
Meredith Rainey and NYC-based choreographer Jonah Bokaer, who's done
an amazing piece exploring game theory, physics, and dance called Why
Patterns.
As the performances will be exploring intersections of science and
performance--it would be ideal to have a discussion about potentially
building a web/game interface with the event, and/or a site specific
installation that is part of the performance venue--which will be at
the Christ Church Neighborhood House. Would you be interested in
possibly arranging a time to speak about some contacts that you may
have in Philadelphia that would be interested in potentially taking
part in this?
Thank you very much,
Marcel Williams Foster
www.marcelwfoster.org
So we are meeting next week.
Nathan Solomon provided me with your contact--as I'm helping him to
coordinate and build the "arts and non-profits" symposiums for the
upcoming Grassroots Game Conference. The last week of October I will
be curating a performance that will explore intersections of dance and
science. It will feature a new work by former PA Ballet Soloist
Meredith Rainey and NYC-based choreographer Jonah Bokaer, who's done
an amazing piece exploring game theory, physics, and dance called Why
Patterns.
As the performances will be exploring intersections of science and
performance--it would be ideal to have a discussion about potentially
building a web/game interface with the event, and/or a site specific
installation that is part of the performance venue--which will be at
the Christ Church Neighborhood House. Would you be interested in
possibly arranging a time to speak about some contacts that you may
have in Philadelphia that would be interested in potentially taking
part in this?
Thank you very much,
Marcel Williams Foster
www.marcelwfoster.org
So we are meeting next week.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:52:39 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
I've met and corresponded with a few people from Blue Cadet:
http://bluecadet.com/
They want to reach out to community groups (not sure exactly why yet)
but they do a lot of work with nonprofits. We talked about doing a
happy hour sometime soon, and then a show and tell about a project
they are working on now using Max/MSP. One of their programmers,
Aaron, was very into working with us, especially to develop something
for Makerfaire. He said his former job was traveling around the world
building interactive installations. I'll post the event(s) as soon as
we have details.
http://bluecadet.com/
They want to reach out to community groups (not sure exactly why yet)
but they do a lot of work with nonprofits. We talked about doing a
happy hour sometime soon, and then a show and tell about a project
they are working on now using Max/MSP. One of their programmers,
Aaron, was very into working with us, especially to develop something
for Makerfaire. He said his former job was traveling around the world
building interactive installations. I'll post the event(s) as soon as
we have details.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:53:54 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
I made contact with a woman named Christina Kazakia through my design
job, but after looking at her portfolio I told her about The Hacktory
and she was really into helping us design kits for kids. Here's some
links she sent:
Hi Georgia,
Ok - here are some fun links for you that may be of use or just good
to glance over to get ideas. I always find inspiration on these sites.
You may have seen most of them... but just in case here they are....
1) All For The Boys: http://www.allfortheboys.com/home/2011/8/4/science-fun.html
2) Let the Children Play:
http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2011/02/planning-new-water-wall-for-water-play.html
and http://www.facebook.com/letchildrenplay?sk=app_9953271133
3) GOOD magazine, Education section: http://www.good.is/category/education
and http://www.good.is/post/merging-play-and-learning-why-students-love-robots/
4) Latitude: http://latd.com/
5) great designer! Cas Holman: http://www.casholman.com/?portfolio=highline
job, but after looking at her portfolio I told her about The Hacktory
and she was really into helping us design kits for kids. Here's some
links she sent:
Hi Georgia,
Ok - here are some fun links for you that may be of use or just good
to glance over to get ideas. I always find inspiration on these sites.
You may have seen most of them... but just in case here they are....
1) All For The Boys: http://www.allfortheboys.com/home/2011/8/4/science-fun.html
2) Let the Children Play:
http://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/2011/02/planning-new-water-wall-for-water-play.html
and http://www.facebook.com/letchildrenplay?sk=app_9953271133
3) GOOD magazine, Education section: http://www.good.is/category/education
and http://www.good.is/post/merging-play-and-learning-why-students-love-robots/
4) Latitude: http://latd.com/
5) great designer! Cas Holman: http://www.casholman.com/?portfolio=highline
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:56:24 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
I'm setting up a meeting with Maggie Avener (instructor for radio and
sex toys workshops), Brana (instructor for Arduino and Hacktory
founder), Matt Miller (instructor for Gadgets and Kinetic Sculpture
class @ Fleisher) and Christina Kazakia (see other post with her links
to cool ideas).
All of these people have expressed interest in helping The Hacktory
develop kits for after school and in school programs. I'm hoping to
meet sometime in the next 2 weeks.
sex toys workshops), Brana (instructor for Arduino and Hacktory
founder), Matt Miller (instructor for Gadgets and Kinetic Sculpture
class @ Fleisher) and Christina Kazakia (see other post with her links
to cool ideas).
All of these people have expressed interest in helping The Hacktory
develop kits for after school and in school programs. I'm hoping to
meet sometime in the next 2 weeks.
Georgia
Feb 6, 2012, 2:59:24 PM2/6/12
to TheHacktory
Got this message from Nathan Solomon inviting to speak at his Game
Conference:
Thanks for coming to the Game Scene event the other day. We briefly
spoke about you participating on a panel, and I just wanted to see if
I could confirm you for doing that to talk about the Pafa installation
and other stuff, on the afternoon of April 23rd. If you want to bring
someone from Hive76 as well, to present as a team, that would be cool
if you think it appropriate:
"Hacking Big Art for Fun and Games
Tools, methods and aesthetics of tech games and gameplay that go well
beyond the screen."
I replied and asked if he just wanted 1 person from Hive - just to be
clear with them so not more than that shows up.
Conference:
Thanks for coming to the Game Scene event the other day. We briefly
spoke about you participating on a panel, and I just wanted to see if
I could confirm you for doing that to talk about the Pafa installation
and other stuff, on the afternoon of April 23rd. If you want to bring
someone from Hive76 as well, to present as a team, that would be cool
if you think it appropriate:
"Hacking Big Art for Fun and Games
Tools, methods and aesthetics of tech games and gameplay that go well
beyond the screen."
I replied and asked if he just wanted 1 person from Hive - just to be
clear with them so not more than that shows up.
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