Category: SPARKmakers – Phase 1
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Making Motors!
General Topics: Electromagnetic Energy, Electronics, Physics, Simple Machines Grade Level: 2-3 In this activity we explored the process of how electromagnetism works and how electromagnetism is used to create motors! The exercise had the students learning how to make a very basic motor using a copper wire, magnets, and a battery passing current through the device. The…
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Light ‘Em Up!
General Topics: Circuits, Electric Energy, Electronics Grade Level: 2-3 In this activity we explored the process of basic circuitry. The exercise taught how a simple wiring setup worked and how multiple lights taking one power source affect brightness. The students had a simple switch-activated light setup by the end. Each student was first given 4 lights, already…
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Making a Lens Camera!
General Topics: Optics, Physics, Visual Perception Grade Level: 2-3 In this activity we explored the process of building a lens camera. This exercise was used to teach how lenses work, from a camera to our own eyes. The students were given the materials to assemble and asked to explain various observations they made with their lens cameras.…
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Making a Wooden Box!
General Topics: Building, Energy Transfer, Physics Grade Level: 2-3 In this activity we explored the process of building a wooden box with a lid, held together with a fabric hinge. This exercise was used to teach the fundamentals and begin an easy introduction to building and creating. Students were then allowed to get creative and decorate…
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Check out our pilot project at the YBCA-Room for Big Ideas: Conceiving Place.
In the summer of 2015, over a three-month period in San Francisco, SPARKmakers and Studio CNS were invited to design and transform the Room for Big Ideas. We created the multifaceted exhibition “Conceiving Place” where it highlighted CNS’ on-going artwork “The Weight I carry with Me” and our initiative the “SPARKmakers Thinkering School” – a self…
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Exciting School Year 2014-2015!
In partnership with William Penn Charter School’s Public Service Program, SPARKmakers designed and instructed thinkering events at three local middle schools this year. We also led an internship service program where we trained a group of Penn Charter’s high school students to assist in the design of the events and mentor our students. Here is in pictures what we did at St. James and Widener…