What do you get when you put art and technology together? The UA Maker Club! A mash up between led workshop and open studio, the Maker Club combines traditional art supplies with tech-based materials and asks participants to explore the resulting possibilities. It’s a place for people to experiment, make mistakes, and have fun through tinkering. The Maker Club is also a place where collaboration rules: everyone can share their knowledge and learn from each other–students and staff alike! Because we (the staff) are not experts ourselves, it’s a great opportunity for us all to exchange ideas and gain new skills.
For our very first meet up last Thursday, students explored simple circuits through the use of mini LEDs. Through a series of challenges, teens learned how to light up their LEDs using a variety of conductive materials: copper tape, wire, foil, graphite, and conductive tape. They then had to come up with various ways of making their lights turn on and off by constructing a switch. Finally, they were to create a work of art that incorporated LEDs in some way. We had a great group of teens with a wide range of interests–art, science, even robotics. As you can see, all of the creations were unique and varied:
Take two: Jared made this incredible switch for his LED after shorting out his first one 🙂
A shot of Pamela’s elaborately constructed diorama–in progress
A second shot showing her LEDs
Holy Light-Brite, Batman! Rosa’s fantastic globe
Preparing to add some twinkling lights to Lugosi’s sculpture
The UA Maker Club meets every month and is open to anyone between the ages of 13-19. No prior experience is necessary and all materials are provided. Drop in to this month’s workshop on November 21 to make glow-in-the-dark clothing and accessories using electroluminescent wire and screen printing ink!
JC Bigornia
C3 Program Coordinator
Awesome to see the DMA exploring the Maker’s Movement. Have you read the new book The Art of Tinkering from the Exploratorium? It’s right up this alley!