Self screen printing

1) Find a fabric that will be tight when stretched in an embroidery hoop.

2) Stretch your fabric over your hoop, pull tight, and tighten hoop.  Trim edges.

3) Print a design using a toner copier or printer. If it has words print off in mirror image.

4) Cut out your design and place on the inside of embroidery hoop on fabric.

5) With an acetone marker go over the backside of your print. Make sure you press hard and saturate your paper with the acetone.6)Remove your paper and you will see your design on the fabric

7) Modge podge everything on the hoop where you do not want paint to go through.

8) Let print dry for 24 hours.

9) Use your print to screen. I have had success with speedball screen print ink and a rubber squeegee.  Put a small line of paint on the top of your print and pull down with your squeegee tight and firm.  Remove your hoop and see your design.

 

Harry Potter Week STEAM Style

Harry Potter is still fun for many adults,  children,  and teens. We have a week planned at the library for teen tech week filed with Harry Potter fun. 
Monday-They choose their house by which cupcake they choose. Then it's off to teaching them the art of screen printing  with acetone, black and white copies, chiffon style fabric,  embroidery hoops,  paint brushes,  and modge podge.
Tuesday-Worbla (thermoplastic) cuff designs
Wednesday-Quidditch
Thursday-Hermione badges (soldering fun)
Friday-movies and Harry Potter treats

Windmill Blades

How Well Can You Build a Windmill?

 

1)       Take a cork, scissors, some paperclips and a wire cutter. 

             

 

2)      Grab a paper plate, paper, etc.  to make your windmill blades.

3)      Design and cut out your blades and attach them to your paperclips.

 

4)      Put your blades into the cork and attach your cork to the motor on the snowman paint stick.

 

5)      Turn the fan on high and turn the voltage meter on. Turn the dial to 2v.  Put the “windmill” infront of the fan and record your highest reading.

 

6)      Please return your corks and blades to the basket when you are happy with your design and obtain your highest reading.

 

Edison Robots

I just finished a Make-It-Idaho training and came home with Edison robots. They are an easily programmable robot that seems engaging for many ages. To setup a Makerspace for these some leg work needed done. 1st I went HERE and downloaded the books and printed out 4 hardcopies which I spiral bound and laminated a cover and back.

2nd I made sure each robot had batteries and put together a checkout STEM bag so after we held the activity patrons can check out 1 bag with two robots, instructions, and programming books. Our books and robots fit perfectly!!!

The other two robots we will keep at the library for STEALTH programming.

3rd I went to the Edison robot's website and downloaded this EdMat onto a jump drive to take to my local Staples store. I had an A1 sized black and white printed for $4.00. I will have a better colored polyvinyl poster mat printed for about $20 later to keep for our Makerspace. I will print 3 more black and white papers for our introduction activity. Each robot will then have its own mat while we are learning about it.

4th I found some ready and willing volunteers to test out the robots and the mat. After the testing, I learned I need to find some used remotes people are willing to donate to go with the STEM kit. I probably will add 3d printed motorcycle flashlights in the kit with some LED's and button batteries.  

 

A couple more little errands (cataloging, gathering remotes, printing 4 more EdMats and LED flashlights) and our Makerspace Edison Robot section will be ready to go as well as our outreach Edison Robot Checkout STEM bag!!!