The Maker Academy
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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Maker Academy, Education Website, Durham, NC.
We offer out-of-school enrichment workshops for students to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) topics through hands-on maker projects in Durham, NC.
07/31/2022
In our Advanced 3D 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.
You can really make a 3D print look amazing with some elbow grease!
07/27/2022
Last weekend we launched our second Maker Kit: Light up Lightning Bug!
In this kit, you are given background information on lightning bugs, circuits, and Morse Code. The challenge of the kit is to use the conductive and insulating materials provided to creatively build a switch that will turn the lightning bug on and off, then use the light signals to send a message!
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!
07/26/2022
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, then we talk about how they can make improvements to their design and launching techniques. Kids go back to the Creation Station to make changes and try again! We aim for improvement and not perfection.
We had a great time at the MAKRS Society Market yesterday!
Hudson was an amazing little salesman, demonstrating the to anyone interested! We can't wait to see pictures of your scribble bot build!!
07/23/2022
We will be at the MAKRS Society Summer Fest this Sunday from 11am - 3pm!
We will have a rocket launch activity for kids with prizes, and we will have some of our new take-home maker kits!
Our aim with the kits is to encourage innovation! We use what we are calling "modular learning" to help children learn through inquiry and apply the concepts in creative ways to design solutions how they want! Although learning how to follow instructions is an important skill, our kits focus more on knowledge application, and so each build can be unique and creative.... just like your kids!!
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.
He discovered that although he could get it to bounce if he pressed in a specific location, the overall frog was not balanced enough to press anywhere. So he decided to extend the back supports for the final design.
07/21/2022
In our advanced class, we explored ways to specifically design an object so that it could be printed with minimal supports. We explored overhangs, angles, orientation, and separating the print into pieces. Students demonstrated their understanding by applying these techniques to their own models!
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! They chose an animal to base their figurine on, and began their design!
We had students choose a bear, snake, armadillo and a frog.
07/19/2022
This was a really fun part of the Art Machines! workshop, when parents came and the students explained their creations! The students were able to explain how they created the different movements with different cams and cam followers, and elaborate on their scenes by telling stories! What a great experience :)
07/17/2022
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.
https://themakeracademy.org/gearing-up-program/
A couple of the incredible creations our students made! Bringing their diorama's to life with movement: Art Machines!
The first is a skateboarder twirling around in front of a sunset scene, the second is a car on display at a garage, and the third is a soldier fighting a giant spider!
All three of them show incredible creativity and a clear understanding of how to incorporate movement into their art!
07/12/2022
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 , and lots of toys thanks to !
We love seeing kids in action as they use knowledge they've gained to DESIGN, CREATE and MAKE something new!
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Durham, NC