The Maker Academy

We offer out-of-school enrichment workshops for students to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) topics through hands-on maker projects

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

In our Advanced #3Dprinting workshop, we explored post processing techniques to make our 3D prints look really nice!

We talked about rough dry sanding, smooth wet sanding, filler/primer, repairing breaks and filling holes, as well as painting and adding gloss or matte finishing.

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Last weekend we launched our second Maker Kit: Light up Lightning Bug!

Our kits are not just "follow the instructions to build something sciencey", but require participants to apply knowledge and create something unique!

Let us know if you are interested in one of our kits!

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Our Rocket Launch activity is always such a hit! 🚀

During this activity we encourage iterative design! Kids make their rockets, test how far they go, make improvements to their design and launching techniques and try again! We aim for improvement and not perfection.

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

We had a great time at the MAKRS Society Market yesterday! @themakrssociety

Hudson was an amazing little salesman, demonstrating the #scribblebot to anyone interested! We can't wait to see pictures of your scribble bot build!! @joyworthyco

#summerfest #markets #makers #kits

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

We will be at the MAKRS Society Summer Fest this Sunday from 11am - 3pm! @themakrssociety

We will have a rocket launch activity for kids with prizes, and we will have some of our new take-home maker kits!
#Durham #Bullcity #stemeducationforkids #maker #makereducation #STEMkits

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Here is the initial prototype of the "Leaping Frog" design one of our students created. He was using the natural compliance of PLA filament to create a springing motion.

#STEM #STEAM #STEMeducation #DurhamNC #Bullcitykids #3Ddesign #3Dprinting #TinkerCAD #summerworkshops

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

In our advanced #3Dprinting class, we explored ways to design an object to minimize supports. We explored overhangs, angles, orientation, and separating the print into pieces. Students demonstrated their understanding by applying these techniques to their own models!

#STEM

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

The Focus of our Advanced 3D printing class was to have students design and print a figurine that could MOVE!

Students started the session by looking at examples of articulating and rotating 3D pieces to get inspiration and ideas!

#STEM #STEMeducation #3Ddesign #3Dprinting

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Students are being awarded their badges and badge stands for completing the Beginner Mechanics class, Art Machines!

We have a "Gearing up!" program where students can earn badges as they take classes and unlock more advanced classes as they earn core competencies is making.

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

A couple of the incredible creations our students made! Bringing their diorama's to life with movement: Art Machines!

All three of them show incredible creativity and a clear understanding of how to incorporate movement into their art!

#STEM #STEAM #STEMeducation #Mechanics

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Check out this amazing set up Dagan made to inspire inspiration as the kids create their Art Machines!

We've got pre-lasered cam and cam followers, thanks to @splatspace, and lots of toys thanks to @scrapexchange !

#STEM #STEAM #STEMeducation #STEMeducationforkids #DurhamNC

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Students checking out examples of various #Automata/Art Machines around the room. There were both physical examples and GIFs on computers.

Students tried out the mechanisms, and looked closely at how they worked. They also brainstormed ideas for their own machines.

#STEM

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

We had so much fun making #Automata/#Art #Machine examples for our Beginner #Mechanics class!!

We wanted examples of different cam/cam follower combinations so students could produce different movements themselves, and get inspiration to create their own scenes full of life!!

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

From #prototype to finished #product!

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Some of the great 3D prints from this cohort of Beginner 3D Modeling and Printing!

We are so impressed with their creativity, innovation, problem solving and perseverance!

#SummerSTEM #Durham #Bullcitykids #STEMeducationforkids #3Dprinting #designcycle #innovation

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Celebrated our last day of Beginner 3D Modeling and Printing! Students were awarded their badges and badge stands, and will pick up their final prints tomorrow!

#STEM #STEAM #STEMeducation #3Dprinting #design #engineeringdesign

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

When designing a product, why do you think it's important to sketch out the 3D design as well as the 2D perspectives of the front, top and side?

Look closely at the second picture as an example!

#STEM #design #engineeringdesign #designcycle #productdevelopment

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

Here are some of our students collaborating on defining their design challenge, researching existing designs, noting likes/dislikes, asking Qs, researching data, creating criteria, and sketching initial ideas for their desings!

#designcycle #STEMeducationforkids

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

We are absolutely LOVING the lean prototyping the students are doing to get an idea of size, structure, and function of their designs! We can't wait to see their final products!!

#designcycle #creativity #3Dmodeling #3Dprinting #3Ddesign #summer #summerworkshops #summerstem

[The Maker Academy @makeracademync]

We are so happy to be working with @insightcolearning! The space is PERFECT!

If you are thinking of somewhere new to send your high school student this fall, checkout https://t.co/Nso3DdRZTv!

#studentcentered #learnercentered #DurhamNC #bullcity #highschool