Welcome to Creator's Studio


​This course is all about you, your imagination, your creativity, and your ability to make something out of nothing. You will be challenged to solve problems as you work through project development, test out an idea by prototyping and redesign, and learn new skills through exploration and invention. Every project is open-ended, meaning YOU will determine how the final product will look and behave. While the end product will be something to be proud of, the process of building, testing, and refining it is just as important as the result. Although we will cover a variety of topics over the coming weeks, you will focus on those that interest you most. 

TOPICS:

  • Electronics: We will explore the concept of electrical circuits using a number of different materials, including cloth, clay, paint, and other everyday objects.
  • Mechanical motion: We will explore the concept of mechanical motion using levers, cams, gears, shafts and other parts involved in creating motion. 
  • Coding and robotics: Here we will take programming into the next level. Physical computing allows us to write programs that interact with the physical world. We can make lights light up, control a motor, and interact with environmental sensors for sound, light, motion.
  • Digital fabrication: While we will use design concepts in all that we do in the course, this topic is about 2D and 3D design, including the ability to laser cut and 3D print your designs.

PROJECTS:

  • Light up, Spin! (electronics): You will each build an electronic circuit block, including LEDs, an incandescent bulb, or a motor. It will include a switch.
  • Shake Your Groove! (mechanical motion): You will each build a working automaton in wood, demonstrating one or more types of mechanical motion.
  • I Am Robot (coding/robotics): You will work in pairs to program and build a robotic system using the Hummingbird Robotics kit.
  • What Will You Create?: You will focus the remaining time in class on a personal project incorporating the various concepts learned here. 

Each of you will showcase your work through a student blog, expressing your ideas, and sharing your reflections on the process.
John Umekubo
Course Instructor & Director of Technology
St. Matthew's Parish School
jumekubo@smps.net
twitter: @jumekubo