The CREATE Lab Satellite Network gathered at the Center for Arts and Education, home of our West Liberty University Satellite, to share two best practices:
Arts and Bots training developed and offered by Lori Maxfield of our Carlow Satellite in collaboration with Yvonne Ng of Engineer's Playground. The program explores a progression from hand powered mechanisms to robots, while considering - and clarifying - concepts of engineering, design, electric circuits and programming.
New maker-space at the Center for Arts and Education, a flexible learning environment put together by Lou Karas, the center's director. We explored it in the best possible way - by learning and making in it.
Here are some testimonials from the event:
About the Workshop
"This workshop really helped me get a better understanding of how Arts & Bots fits into the larger context of an engineering curriculum. Now I feel a little more able to train people on Arts & Bots, not in the abstract, but with the broader picture in mind. I also think learning some nuts and bolts about engineering makes the general subject a little less intimidating for people, which in itself can be really empowering!"
"The session highlighted connection between different aspects of technological fluency: the engineered artistic design and the computer programming behind it. Incorporating this into trainings will be a powerful motivator to learn more about programming and computer science."
"The session gave Arts and Bots a context. All of the activities leading up to the creation of the robot were both foundational and engaging."
About the Space
"The space was fantastic. I did not have a single creative idea that could not be brought to fruition with the materials provided, many of which led to even more creative ideas! It's a very welcoming and functional space."
"It was a pleasure to work in an environment where a variety of tools and materials are readily available, organized and accessible - finding them does not slow the flow of making."
"The Make Shop space will be a real asset to the Education Department. Not only will it provide a perfect space to meet faculty and students creative needs, It will be a great facility for teacher training, for families and visiting public school children."
"best part of the training for me, very inspiring but it was torture to sit there and not put my hands on all the cool materials and make stuff as soon as i walked in!"
About the Event
"Face to face time with other Satellite Network members was important and we should use all the time we can get for those kinds of activities."
"We got to include pre-service teachers which is important as the next generation going into the classroom they are on the cutting edge."