Creator's Studio
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Check the course blog for the latest classroom news and other maker related school activities.

Course Blog

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/SKILLS TO EXPLORE:

  • Coding and robotics: 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: This topic is about 2D and 3D design, including the ability to laser cut, vinyl cut, CNC, and 3D print your designs.
  • Electronics: This topic covers the concept of electrical circuits using a number of different materials, including cloth, clay, paint, and other everyday objects.
  • Mechanical motion: The concept of mechanical motion involves the use of levers, cams, gears, shafts and other parts involved in creating motion. 
  • Woodworking: Use of the bandsaw, miter saw, drill press, handheld power tools with wood and other materials  such as acrylic and soft metals.

PROJECTS:

  • Project #1 (Instructor led): You will take on a first-time project as determined by Mr. Umekubo. The purpose of this project is to introduce you to the project development process and allow you to have the full experience of taking a project from initial design, to prototype and test, to final build and sharing out. You will document your progress along the way.
  • Project #2 (Personal): The remainder of this course will be focused on your personal project. While you will follow the same steps as in Project #1, your project will be based on your personal interests and passions. Because these projects are driven by your interests, much of the research and work will be done as individuals. However, students may pair up to take on a project.

Each of you will showcase your work through a student online documentation, expressing your ideas, and sharing your reflections on the process.
John Umekubo
Course Instructor
Westside Neighborhood School
jumekubo@gmail.com
twitter: @jumekubo
Creative Commons License
Creator's Studio by John Umekubo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Westside Neighborhood School
5401 Beethoven Street, Los Angeles, CA 90066
www.wns-la.org