Background
During my course of study in the MAET program at MSU, I find myself currently in my second stop: CEP 811. The course is almost entirely devoted to the principles of repurposing and implementing technology tools for/in the classroom. In a world where resources are rarely unlimited, these concepts become especially pertinent, and with the increasingly costly nature of technology tools, the ability to innovate and invent is essential.
The current assignment, as I begin my CEP811 adventures, is simple. I must find a way to combine the utility of a maker kit with the versatility of a thrift store. In many ways, this is easy. Thrift stores provide an arsenal of the unpredictable, and maker kits tend to feed potential to that very same element of unpredictable. However, for some, the creative obscurity of such a combination can be difficult.
Exploring the Assignment
With the goal of creating something useful for my classroom, I set out on my exploration. First, I selected a maker kit that I felt best appealed to my need for creative purpose as well as my simplistic personality. The result was the Squishy Circuits maker kit.
The kit, as seen above, contains little more than a power source, two noise makers, a motor, and an assortment of colored lights. The “squishy” part is actually the combination of the above items with electrically-conductive homemade play dough.
In a small sense, I almost immediately regretted my choice, recalling the fact that I am one who does not enjoy being messy (and this kit appears to involve a natural component of mess). However, if I am to fully explore the full scope of inventive potential, the willingness to be messy is probably important!
The rest of my thrifting adventure established a more clear picture of my plan, though. While exploring a number of thrift stores near my home, online thrifty sites, and my wife’s own collection of thriftiness (it is true, we frequent Good Will stores far too often), I fell upon a few items of particular interest.
The first two items of interest were simply cool and creative things. I love marbles, so the moment I saw marbles, I decided they must be involved. Additionally, marbles can be acquired very easily at little expense. The second item was magnets. I discovered two degrees of magnets. There exist plain, standard magnets that can be purchased in bulk. These have a great deal of potential because they can be glued to various items to create homemade magnets out of random stuffs. There also exist custom magnets designed to commemorate occasions, celebrate events, imbue deep truths, or simply invoke laughter.
The final item, however, that really caught my attention was a small porcelain bell. My grandmother has collected bells for years (since before I was born, for sure). Every time I see a small bell, it makes me think of her. What I have come to realize is that these bells are everywhere. Therefore, when I first saw the bell, I simple thought of my grandmother with a smile, but after a moment, the thought finally struck me. The big idea was planted.
My Big Idea
From the outset of the assignment, I wanted to find a way to get my students creating. I wanted to use the need to combine unrelated items to create something new as a platform for a very practical discussion on repurposing and creativity. In order for this to work, however, I felt that the project needed a clear, measurable outcome. Thus, the activity “Ring the Bell” was born.
In this activity, students will use the items provided along with the Squishy Sircuits kit to construct an apparatus or device that can, without manipulation (once created) ring a bell. The task essentially has two phases. First, students must find a way to suspend the bell so that in can be run. Second, the students must then find a way to construct a manner of ringing the bell. I have broken down the activity into steps and processes below.
Ring the Bell Activity
Objective:
Using only the supplies provided, students will create an apparatus capable of (1) suspending the small porcelain bell indefinitely and (2) automatically ringing the bell, when desired. Students will have a 15 minute time limit.
Supplies Needed:
– Squishy Circuits maker kit
– Homemade play dough (two types: conductive and resistant)
– Marbles (bag of 10)
– Magnets (10 plain, unadorned)
– Small porcelain bell
Instructions:
Using the above supplies, perform the following functions:
1. Suspend the small bell in a manner so that it is able to ring.
2. Create a mechanism that will ring the bell without your manipulation.
NOTE: Remember, you will have 15 minutes to complete your task.
Evaluation:
Your apparatus will be evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Did you use only the supplies provided (no foreign objects permitted)?
2. Does your apparatus suspend the bell without aid?
3. Does your mechanism ring the bell without aid?
4. Can your creation be re-created?
Reflection
As I consider this project, I already see some flaws. The materials are not necessarily ideal for such a purpose. Marbles specifically have little virtue in a construction-type project, although they could be instrumental in the ringing process. I am also unclear as to what value the magnets add.
Despite these potential setbacks, I believe that the virtue of the project itself lies in the manner in which students attempt to answer these very same questions. Perhaps the outcome is not successful for all, but the process of struggling and wrestling with these ideas and notions holds infinite value.
For me, the next step in this concept is moving from an arbitrary assignment or task to a more thoroughly integrated idea that combines the intended content to be learned with the desired skills to be developed. Once this is accomplished, the project will inevitably take on richer value and greater meaning.
Sources
– Andrea. “Play Dough.” Pie Birds. April 3, 2011. http://www.piebirds.org/2011/04/homemade-playdough.html
– Bid or Buy. “Porcelain Bell.” Image. http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/067/468067_100808123726_10_681.JPG
– Etsy. “Magnet.” Image. https://www.etsy.com/market/funny_magnets
– Garrison, Gretchen. “Marbles.” Image. November 7, 2013. http://odysseythroughnebraska.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/thankful-i-found-my-marbles-nebraskas-one-and-only-marble-museum/
– Maker Shed. “Squishy Circuits.” Image. http://www.makershed.com/Squishy_Circuits_Kit_p/mksc1.htm