Category Archives: Teaching and Learning

3D print your own cool electric motor

Posted on May 14, 2015 by robertwilkie

If you have a 3D printer, some copper based foil, this would be a cool project to do with kids. http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrostatic-Motor/

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on 3D print your own cool electric motor

Another neat kid wind project

Posted on May 13, 2015 by robertwilkie

Found this windproject for kids that is pretty neat (and cheap) to build.  I like the PVC stand for the motor mount.  It also allows for the wires for the motor to go to a different exit point to try … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching and Learning, Wind | Comments Off on Another neat kid wind project

Improved Rubber band Gattling Gun…Double Barrel

Posted on May 4, 2015 by robertwilkie

I thought the first build of this was impressive, the author out did it by adding on a second barrel to the original design, so you can fire even more rubber bands.  I would have to be the one that … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching and Learning, weapons | Comments Off on Improved Rubber band Gattling Gun…Double Barrel

Wind Powered music box

Posted on April 30, 2015 by robertwilkie

My TODO projects list is getting a bit long, and now I am going to add this to it.  The author shows how to build a simple wind-powered music box.  A few things I would do differently is take the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Misc-Life, Teaching and Learning, Wind | Comments Off on Wind Powered music box

youtube Channels for kids and learning

Posted on April 29, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice list of channels on youtube for kids that have PBS/Learning like style too them.  Half are for little kids, the other half for pre-teenish. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-fantastic-learning-channels-youtube-kids/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on youtube Channels for kids and learning

Easy way to code for arduino, use Scratch

Posted on April 28, 2015 by robertwilkie

Nice visual way to write programs.  If you have kids and want to get them to start coding, this would be a good way to start. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/afraid-programming-code-try-scratch-arduino/

Posted in Arduino, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Easy way to code for arduino, use Scratch

$5 LED lanterns

Posted on April 27, 2015 by robertwilkie

This has to be an interesting build.  The author uses PVC pipe (painted) to be a “stand” and then ping-pong balls to diffuse the light from the LED.  Nice build (I figure closer to $10 to build than $5).  Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on $5 LED lanterns

Nice go-cart build with an electric drill for the motor

Posted on April 21, 2015 by robertwilkie

This is a pretty clever build.  I like the steering setup (frizzbee with the rope pulls).  It looks like the author used harbor freight wheels too. http://makezine.com/2015/04/17/electric-drill-provides-power-kid-friendly-go-kart/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=%24{feed}&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+%24{makezineonline}+%28%24{MAKE}%29&utm_content=%24{GoogleReader}

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning, Tinkering | Comments Off on Nice go-cart build with an electric drill for the motor

Make a Glove-a-Trombone

Posted on April 20, 2015 by robertwilkie

I almost fell over on this one.  The author does a good job on the build that involves a tube, straw, duct tape, and a rubber glove.  This wpuld be a fun kids project http://www.instructables.com/id/Glove-a-Trombone/

Posted in Cheap, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Make a Glove-a-Trombone

Cool 3D printed alternative energy builds

Posted on April 9, 2015 by robertwilkie

I really like the stirling engine build.  The projects are nice but…not so sure how long they would last (plastic) and being outdoors.  But they would be good learning projects. http://www.3ders.org/articles/20150406-harvest-your-own-energy-using-3d-printed-wind-turbines-and-solar-stirling-engines.html http://www.reprap-windturbine.com/index.php?id=18&L=1 Note you have to “buy” the plans to … Continue reading →

Posted in CNC/3D-printing, Teaching and Learning | Comments Off on Cool 3D printed alternative energy builds