Rachel Legerski - Fab Academy 2015

Applications and Implications

Week 16 Assignment

The assignment for this week is to propose a final project that integrates the range of units covered: 
      
      who's done what beforehand?
      what materials and components will be required?
      where will they come from?
      how much will it cost?
      what parts and systems will be made?
      what processes will be used?
      what tasks need to be completed?
      what questions need to be answered?
      what is the schedule?
      how will it be evaluated?
   projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of all of the skills
   where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project

Struggles

No struggles this week!

My project is relatively simple compared to many but it is a challenge for me and my students. As we open our new school in August, I am tasked with teaching art and design. My goal is to incorporate science, math and technology into art projects. I didn't know what a Fab Lab was before I joined this class. I am simply overwhelmed and amazed by the ingenuity and creativity I have witnessed each week. Our initial group of students (ages 8-11) have never seen a Fab Lab or even know what one is. It will be my job to introduce them to the equipment and possibilities that lie ahead.

Questions and Answers

  1. Who's done what beforehand?

    My project is based on art work that I saw at a friend's house. It was a beautiful snowy scene with embedded leds that would twinkle when the picture was activated. As I began to research this type of art, I thought that my students could create their own night scene based on a study of Van Gogh's Starry Night. I had a difficult time finding anything mass produced in this style. I did find several samples on art websites. Most of these artworks were between $125.00 and up. Prices varied based on the size of the canvas and the intricacies of the lighting. Here is an example of a canvas that I found.

  2. What materials and components will be required?

    I crafted my project exactly the way I would do this with my students. I needed art supplies (sketch paper, canvas, paint, paintbrushes). I used vinyl and the vinyl cutter to create the skyline. I used the laser to laser openings for the LEDs to replace the stars. The modela mill was used to create a circuit board. I soldered ten LEDs to the board. I plan to investigate using the vinyl cutter to create a circuit an attaching the LEDs to wires so that they can be flexibly arranged in the art work. The frame will be created using the Shopbot using cardboard. I am using a clear acrylic for the glass in the frame. I will be using various electronic components (Fab Lab standards!)

  3. Where will they come from?

    For this project, I am using all standard Fab Lab materials and components. Going forward, I have a budget from the schoolboard that I will use to purchase the components that I need. My husband is a cabinetmaker so I have access to the wood for frames

  4. How much will it cost? This is the hardest question for me to answer right now. I am working with my staff and TIES to determine my budget. We are in the middle of designing our capstone projects for our first school year. My project that I created for this class will cost me about $30.00 to complete.

  5. What parts and systems will be made?

    The art work will be created by the students. They will need to make a silhouette for the front glass of their picture. I chose the Cleveland, Ohio skyline.

    The art work will be behind the glass and silhouette. The frame will have to be milled to hold the the glass and the art work. I am contemplating putting a second piece of glass on the back so that the students would be able to see the circuit board and LEDs. The circuit board would need to be milled and the components would need to be soldered. The board would need to be programmed to allow the lights to twinkle.

  6. What processes will be used?

  7. What tasks still need to be completed?

    I need to do the following:

  8. What questions need to be answered?