We had a busy fall in New York, topped off by a hectic and exciting week of winter vacation camp up in Boston. Here are some of the things we’ve been working on over the last few months.
sensors! computers! lcds! (introduction to digital electronics)
when: 5 Sessions. Tuesdays, 5:30pm-7:00pm, 11/17 through 12/15. 5:30pm-7:00pm.where: the Doorway, 210 23rd Street, #1, Brooklyn, NY
who: kids, 10ish-15ish
cost: $100, suggested, sliding scale
We’ll work with a couple of different tools to make programmable objects with microcontrollers. We’ll design and prototype circuits with breadboards and program them with c, tools commonly used by professional engineers today. We’ll make a number of different interactive objects – a digital thermometer, a stopwatch, and play with using these tools to control other basic electronics components and circuits.
for more information, or to register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/470303691
lights! motors! sounds! (beginning electronics)
when: 4 Sessions. Thursdays, 5:30pm-7:00pm, 11/19 through 12/17. No class on Thanksgiving (11/26). 5:30pm-7:00pm.
where: the Doorway, 210 23rd Street, #1, Brooklyn, NY
who: kids, 10ish-15ish
cost: $100, suggested, sliding scale
This class will be an introduction to analogue electronics, which will explore, through a couple of related projects, basic electronics components (resistors, switches, capacitors, diodes), and the relationship between electricity and magnetism (through electromagnets, motors, and generators). We’ll take apart and examine scrap electronics, build motors, lights, play sounds, and make connections.
for more information, or to register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/470314724
Processing for Computational Design (workshop)
when: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 10:00am- 6:00 PM.
where: the Doorway, 210 23rd Street, #1, Brooklyn, NY
who: artists, designers, and anyone else interested in learning the basics of computer programming in an interactive/visual context
cost: $50, suggested, sliding scale
Processing is a programming language and environment built for the media arts and design communities. It is created to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context and to serve as a software sketchbook. It is used by students, artists, designers, architects, and researchers for learning, prototyping, and production. More information on Processing can be found at www.processing.org.
The workshop will function primarily as an introduction to programming concepts for artists and designers who have little to no programming experience. On the first day we will step through many of the fundamental concepts of programming and computation: variables, logical control structures (loops, conditionals), functions, and objects, by playing with and modifying a series of interesting and fun example programs. During day two we’ll learn a bit about the wide-variety of resources for learning, creating, and sharing projects in the Processing world, some of the common basic algorithms for generative/computational design, and run through the iterative process of hacking together an interesting sketch – designing, programming, playing with, and modifying a small piece of software.
for more information, or to register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/464394015
introduction to digital electronics (aka arduino 101)
when: november 23rd to December 4th, monday evenings 5:45-7:30 who: ages 11-16 where: Bug Labs (598 Broadway, 4th floor New York, NY 10012) cost: $120 suggested register: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/488851167
Want to learn how to build things with electronics, computers, and microcontrollers but need a little help?
We will explore the basics of electronics and microcontrollers — LEDs, transistors, resistors, motors, integrated circuits, and sensors using solderless breadboards, one of the more commonly used electrical engineering prototyping tools. We will work together on a series of interesting circuits and programs using the Arduino. What’s the Arduino?
From www.arduino.cc — “Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments.”
build your own lightsaber!
when: december 2, 5:45-7:30 who: ages 8+ (or younger, with an enthusiastic parent) where: Bug Labs (598 Broadway, 4th floor New York, NY 10012) cost: $30 suggested register: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/488881257
The final step in any Jedi’s training — building her or his own lightsaber. Learn the basics of electronics and some simply tool use by wiring together LEDs or using electroluminsecent wire to a switch and putting the whole thing inside of a sword-like body of plastic tubes. Great fun, a great toy, and a great project!
sound experiments and experimental sound
when: december 9, 5:45-7:30 who: ages 8+ where: Bug Labs (598 Broadway, 4th floor New York, NY 10012) cost: $30 suggested register: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/488899311
Make your own music instruments, explore the sounds of objects, and manipulate and visualize audio signals — we will use contact microphones and a handful of software tools to feed the audio signal into a computer to look at and play around with it.
crystal radio building workshop
when: on december 16 who: ages 8+ where: Bug Labs (598 Broadway, 4th floor New York, NY 10012) cost: $30 suggested register: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/489017665
We know, we know. Nobody listens to the radio anymore. But it’s one of the most important inventions of the 20th century, and, more importantly, there’s still not a lot that’s more amazing than making a well-tuned crystal radio out of a handful of simple electronics components and hearing sounds and voices from the airwaves. Crystal radios don’t even need batteries!
Hit the Pavement: Writing a Radio Documentary
when: 3 Sessions. Thursdays, 3:30pm-5:00pm, 12/3 through 12/17.
where: the Doorway, 210 23rd Street, #1, Brooklyn, NY
who: kids, ages 10ish-14ish
cost: $50, suggested, sliding scale
Ever wanted to write the news? Got a hot tip on a source? The best stories are close to home – everyone has them, and anyone can tell them! Come and hone your reporting skills and learn to tell stories on the radio. We’ll cover the basics of writing, recording, and audio production in Audacity – writing the story, getting tape, interviewing people, and finally editing it all together. No experience necessary – all material included
For more information or to register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/471376901.