Makerbot Educators' Academy
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Chris Connors
May 13, 2011, 9:40:48 AM5/13/11
to MakerBot Educators
As I've been using it for the past year or so, I've got some
perspective on how to use a Makerbot in school, and some ideas of what
might work for teachers.
What do you think of a Makerbot Teachers' Academy? The way I've been
scheming it, two or three days would be ideal. In the first day,
teachers would build their kit. First they would apply finish to the
wood, then while it is drying, they'd get introduced to the software
to design. Next, the bodies of the bots would be assembled. Putting
the extruders together and electronics would follow, then the axes and
electronics. It might be possible to build them in one day, but
probably more likely in two.
By assembling them in a group, teachers would get a chance to meet
each other and build the 3D puzzle. Another benefit would be the
increased awareness of how the bot is built which will make repairs
more possible. By the second day, the bots would be built and tuned.
Next up would be design and print sessions on day two or day three.
The group size I'm thinking of is 10 to 15. Most schools have
professional development training money, and the scheduling for the
summer is happening soon. If there were grant funding, the end costs
could be kept as low as possible. Another option would be to get the
hardware and electronics kits from Makerbot and cut the laser parts at
the university machine shop. You well know that teachers have plenty
of things pulling money out of their pockets. There could be two tiers
of tuition: Professional Development only and Bring it Back. In
Professional Development, teachers would participate in the training
and would assist in building the bots. The Bring it Back participants
would work on building their school's bot as they do the training. The
difference in expense would be based on the hardware cost.
I've got some time in my schedule this summer and would love to get
this program rolling. My school classroom could be available for parts
of the summer. I've also got some great students who could assist.
What do you think?
Chris Connors
perspective on how to use a Makerbot in school, and some ideas of what
might work for teachers.
What do you think of a Makerbot Teachers' Academy? The way I've been
scheming it, two or three days would be ideal. In the first day,
teachers would build their kit. First they would apply finish to the
wood, then while it is drying, they'd get introduced to the software
to design. Next, the bodies of the bots would be assembled. Putting
the extruders together and electronics would follow, then the axes and
electronics. It might be possible to build them in one day, but
probably more likely in two.
By assembling them in a group, teachers would get a chance to meet
each other and build the 3D puzzle. Another benefit would be the
increased awareness of how the bot is built which will make repairs
more possible. By the second day, the bots would be built and tuned.
Next up would be design and print sessions on day two or day three.
The group size I'm thinking of is 10 to 15. Most schools have
professional development training money, and the scheduling for the
summer is happening soon. If there were grant funding, the end costs
could be kept as low as possible. Another option would be to get the
hardware and electronics kits from Makerbot and cut the laser parts at
the university machine shop. You well know that teachers have plenty
of things pulling money out of their pockets. There could be two tiers
of tuition: Professional Development only and Bring it Back. In
Professional Development, teachers would participate in the training
and would assist in building the bots. The Bring it Back participants
would work on building their school's bot as they do the training. The
difference in expense would be based on the hardware cost.
I've got some time in my schedule this summer and would love to get
this program rolling. My school classroom could be available for parts
of the summer. I've also got some great students who could assist.
What do you think?
Chris Connors
Andy Owens
May 13, 2011, 10:08:02 AM5/13/11
to makerbot-...@googlegroups.com
Chris,
This would be awesome. Where are you located?
Andy Owens
This would be awesome. Where are you located?
Andy Owens
Chris Connors
May 13, 2011, 3:44:46 PM5/13/11
to MakerBot Educators
I am located in suburban Boston.
Perhaps we could work out lodging for participants.
Chris
Ben Chickadel
May 13, 2011, 11:45:08 AM5/13/11
to makerbot-...@googlegroups.com, makerbot-...@googlegroups.com
I'm interested as well. I'm in Seattle. Let's talk about some times a group of us could meet. I know the Seattle makerbot group meets up the last Saturday in May. Anyone want to discuss this a little further in person?
Doug Sheldon
May 15, 2011, 9:52:18 PM5/15/11
to makerbot-...@googlegroups.com
Chris, please let me know how it goes if you get the Teacher's Academy going. I've been using the makerbot in my 8th grade STEM class this year and have just received a grant for a Thing-o-matic. It's really been a learning experience for all involved. I've been talking with the folks in the Fab Lab at Lorain County Community College in Lorain, OH about the same sort of concept that you describe. We'd get a grant for MakerBots and then invite teachers to participate in a 2-3 day session in which they would build and then use the Makerbot in preparation for school use. They could share lesson ideas and create a support network at the same time.
Hope you get your idea off the ground.
Doug Sheldon
Langston Middle School, Oberlin, Ohio
Hope you get your idea off the ground.
Doug Sheldon
Langston Middle School, Oberlin, Ohio
On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 9:40 AM, Chris Connors <conno...@gmail.com> wrote:
Charlie V
May 18, 2011, 1:10:14 PM5/18/11
to MakerBot Educators
Hi,
I’m not an educator. I’m a city councilmember and I’m tiring to
encourage my local school districts to teach innovation to compliment
a hackerspace I want to open in my city. The goal would be for the
schools to teach concepts and the city center would be a collaborative
place to put the concepts into practice. I have 4 elementary
districts, 2 high school districts, and a community college that over
laps my city.
The districts like the idea and are ready to participate but they need
to help them get started. They need some type of lesson plans. Would
anyone have some that they would be willing to share or some advice on
how you have used your makerbots in class. I'm really thinking about
4th - 12th grades.
For me, as a city councilmember, I want to inspire home grown small
businesses and build community thru contact at the space.
Charlie Vierhout • Director of Systems Engineering • Information
Technology
Troon Golf • p 480.477.0525 • f 480.477.0725 • www.troongolf.com
Charles Vierhout • Councilmember • City of Avondale, AZ
> > Chris Connors- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I’m not an educator. I’m a city councilmember and I’m tiring to
encourage my local school districts to teach innovation to compliment
a hackerspace I want to open in my city. The goal would be for the
schools to teach concepts and the city center would be a collaborative
place to put the concepts into practice. I have 4 elementary
districts, 2 high school districts, and a community college that over
laps my city.
The districts like the idea and are ready to participate but they need
to help them get started. They need some type of lesson plans. Would
anyone have some that they would be willing to share or some advice on
how you have used your makerbots in class. I'm really thinking about
4th - 12th grades.
For me, as a city councilmember, I want to inspire home grown small
businesses and build community thru contact at the space.
Charlie Vierhout • Director of Systems Engineering • Information
Technology
Troon Golf • p 480.477.0525 • f 480.477.0725 • www.troongolf.com
Charles Vierhout • Councilmember • City of Avondale, AZ
>
> - Show quoted text -
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