Friday Reflection

I liked the way Friday's class drew everything together, it was a great way to end the week.  The morning hour reflection was much appreciated.  It was nice to chat with others and reflect on all the learning we did for the week.

Once again this week long makers experience exceeded my expectations.   I really feel like I have walked away with some much new learning, excitement, and ideas I'd like to implement at school.  I feel like what I learned was tangible, replicable, and  I never felt overwhelmed.

My deep learning this week was finally getting an understanding of circuits.  Before I only dabbled in it a little bit, but this time I dove deeper into it and feel like I finally understand how it works.  I am excited to have the opportunity to take this further and work with circuits for my final project.  I also think that because I have decided to create something very personal, instead of just something for school, it has increased my learning and excitement of circuits.  I look forward to seeing how my final project will come out.

Thursday Reflection

Today I participated in Coding Paper Circuits (Tiny Arduinos).  We created breadboards to test out the Attiny85 we would be programing.  Unfortunately the wire cutters in the toolbox had a hard time cutting the wires, which was a little frustrating, but we eventually cut and added them to the breadboard.  We learned how to program the Attiny and eventually got our lights to work.   I don't think I would have young children put one together, perhaps older students could build their own.  I do see how using a breadboard is helpful in seeing if your code works.

This afternoon I worked on my independent project.  I figured out what I wanted to work with, found it online and actually purchased it.  I am going to be working with the FLORA main board, FLORA accelerometer + compass module, 12 flora RG NeoPixels, 150mAH RGB LiPo battery and conductive thread.  Next I worked on my circuit design on paper to figure out where I would place everything so that it will actually work.  I got a little confused on the first try, but figured it out on the second one.  I think this will be really helpful to use as guide when I start sewing.  

I also spent a little time watching some tutorials on Adafruit to better understand the FLORA and the FLORA accelerator, and conductive thread.  I also got their drivers and program library installed so I will be ready to program once I have them.  

Wednesday Reflection

The morning presenter on woodworking was very inspiring.  I am currently working on improving my own woodworking skills, learning how to use circular saws, drills, etc., so it was great to see that woodworking 101 was being taught in her elementary school.  Unfortunately we eliminated our shop program at our school, and I think actually got rid of all the tools.  I'd be interested in seeing if I could do a project or two with some classes.

The first workshop I participated in was Tinker Cad and 3D printing.  These projects below are what that I created.  I had worked in Tinker Cad a little last year, so I had remembered some parts to it, but it was to have a refresher and I learned some neat new tips and tricks.

Name Tag                                                                          

  

Printed 3D Name Tag! 

  Chicken egg creature         

The afternoon I participated in e-textiles.  Yesterday I had done the introduction workshop to circuits, and today I go to expand my learning and apply it to e-textiles.  I felt I was quickly able to apply the previous days learning and really start to understand how e-textiles work. 

This picture show the ideate/ first prototype phase.  I made sure I fully understood how parallel circuits work, the decided on something that I could practice sewing the circuits. 

 

I decided to try lighting up a butterfly I drew.  You can see in the picture that the left light isn't on, but if you look at the wiring below everything correct.  After asking for some help on why this was happening, I learned that different color LEDs pull different power and can effect each other.  I had run the yellow light with the red- I wanted them to blink the same, but the red overwhelmed the yellow and didn't allow it to work.  I have officially decided that I am going to design a Tinkerbell skirt and a program motion sensor, so that the skirt responds to movement.  Tomorrow, if possible I liked to learn how to do the programming part.  

I finished my butterfly at home and got the 4th LED to finally light up, although it's not quite as bright as the others.

Questions for tomorrow-

It seems that Adafruit is out of the green sequins LED, can I use a white one that I can program to green?

I'd like my lights to respond to movement, do I need the Flora Motion Sensor, or can I use a Lily Pad?

Will a lithium ion polymer batter- 3.7v 150mAh be enough to run my lights? 

Tuesday Reflection

Today I felt like I was able to start to clarify my project more.  I really enjoyed learning more about circuitry and am very intrigued with learning more about conductive thread and designing lights into clothing.  I have decided I am going to make my project very personal and be something that I am interested in, which is designing Halloween costumes.   Therefore I am going to make a Tinkerbell costume.  I always make my costumes from scratch, so I will have to design and sew my skirt first and then wire in the lights.  I would like to learn how to program the Arduino lights so that it interacts with my movement.  

Tuesday's Projects

Copper Tape Holder

Battery Pack Holder with Copper Wires All Ready to Use

Simple Circuit w/ LED

Vinyl Cutting (Design to right is what I made in Cricut). I think it may be a little small, I wanted to use it as label, but it didn't quite cut out as I had expected.  I'd like to maybe try is again tomorrow.

Monday Reflection

I have been trying to figure out what I would like to do for my grad project, and after hearing the suggestion that project can be something more personal, I am trying to figure out what that may be.  Realizing now that the project is to be further worked on after the end of the week I am shifting my initial ideas.   As much as I would love to make something with the 3D printer or work on some vinyl cutting, I think I am going do something with either e-textiles or maybe paper circuits.  (I still plan on trying out the 3D printer and some vinyl cutting during the week so I can get some experience working with them.)

I also think that I might have placed myself into the wrong session 2.  After the conversation in the afternoon session,  I am realizing that it may be a little too advanced for me, and that I need to step back and learn a couple things.  I don't want to feel like I am struggling or that I am always trying to keep up.  Fortunately with the flexibility of the workshops, I am going to switch into the other session 2 or find a workflow that best suits my needs. 

I'm not quite sure yet what my project will be, so hopefully I can figure that out tomorrow.