Family TV Repair Job (Olevia 42 inch LCD TV)

Our TV would not power on. We fixed it for under $5!!!!

Photoshop: Eyes, Lips Color Changing

Malik demonstrates how to change eyes, and lip color in Photoshop CS6.

Lego Mindstorm EV3 Color Sorter Robot

Jaedan demonstrates how his EV3 color sorter works.

BobbleHead 3d Printed Robot

Jaedan completed his first Blender software project a 3d printed bobble-head. It took him two months to complete the online class.  The class was a bit challenging at times but he did not give up. He missed a few major steps but was able to go back and make corrections which took extra time. In the end he is very pleased with the outcome and looks forward to future projects using the knowledge he gained from the class.

Lego Mindstorm EV3 Puppy

Jaedan's lastest Lego Mindstorm EV3 project. 

Discovering Cells

In this experiment, we took a thin slice of cork and looked at it under our microscope. Through the lens of our microscope, we “discovered” cells, just as Robert Hooke did over 300 years ago.

We also examined our cheek cells. Which gave the boys an opportunity to do a wet mount.

Next, we examined Human Cell Mucus, Mitosis - Onion Root and Mixed Bacteria Smear slides. This week they also had lab sheets to complete and a quiz.

Below is a slice of cork under the microscope. The first and last photo above are also cork.

Keeping Busy In The Lab

Jaedan has been really busy in his makers space this week. For his electronic class he built a homemade capacitor to get a better understanding of how they work. He also has been working with Minecraft animation in his 3d software. Soon he plans to start building mods for his Minecraft Server.

EV3 DIY Mission Board

Jaedan sharing a do it yourself project for his LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3.

LEGO Mindstorms EV3: My Block

Input and Output Arduino Lesson

This week Jaedan has been learning about inputs and outputs in his electronics class. To practice what he has learned he decided to demonstrate it using an Arduino microcomputer. Which is an open-source electronic prototyping platform allowing him to create interactive electronic objects.

He also plans to design a 3D printed enclosure for it in the future. It is exciting to see him use multiple components as he learns. 

First Blender Lesson

Ben has really been having fun learning Blender 3D software. Blender is a free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation. This is his first project a coffee cup. I really love how he added all the shadows and reflections of light.

Ben was maxing out his CPU making this cup. But because he built his system he put a nice graphics card (Nvida GTX 750ti) in it. So he switch to GPU rendering which his graphics card supports. So basically he told his computer graphics card to handle all graphic programs.

Makers Lab Relocation and Update

This school year I decided to relocate our S.T.E.M supplies to our dining room. Last year every thing was upstairs in our makers lab closet organized but not easy to access. Now I feel we can be more productive with our learning. 

My boys are kinesthetic learners which means they learn through touching, feeling, experiencing the material at hand. Their education is more a hands-on approach; with manipulatives and other "props" incorporated into almost all our school subjects. 

Our makers lab is equipped with the latest technology and constantly being updated. I consider reading and research a part of my job description among other things. I really enjoy learning with my boys as I have always had a love for technology. 

For this school year we purchased a XYZprinting Da Vinci 1.0 3D Printer. I look forward to teaching the boys the fundamentals as their adventure in the 3D world begins. 

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 Below are a few of things we have printed so far.

Malik's Simple Circuit

Battery Powered Bottle Car

LED Bracelet

DIY Operation Game Using Makey Makey

Electric Steady Hand Game