Create, Make, Learn Reflection

  

My experience at Create, Make, Learn 2017 has been transformative for me.  When Vermont adopted the National Core Arts Standards in the Spring of 2016, I realized that my approach to teaching art would have to change.  Not only would I be responsible for addressing the new Visual Arts Standards but also an entirely new set of standards, pertaining to New Media arts.  I was apprehensive and unsure of how I could incorporate these standards into my already limited time with Middle School.

The Media Arts Standards

Throughout my week at Create, Make, Learn it became clear to me that the integration of technology into my art lesson was the solution to addressing the New Media standards.  Emily Titterton, of the Agency of Education and I discussed how my newly acquired skills can help me provide students with a rich educational experience, while supporting understanding of visual arts and technology standards. 

I see my time at Create, Make, Learn as the start of my journey into a deeper technological understanding.  My budding skills will certainly need continuous support and I look forward to maintaining the connections I made with educators across the country.  I have no doubt that Create, Make, Learn will become an indispensable resource in my technological skill development.  I'm already looking forward to summer 2018!

Make with Code: Prototype for 2018 Fine Arts Festival

MIT's Robot Garden

I was inspired by Lucie deLaBruere's flower garden as part of her work with EMMA. Each spring Mt. Abraham Union Middle/High School celebrates the arts with a week long festival displaying work from every student in the district. After viewing Lucie's flowers I was eager to make an interactive garden based on the work of Claude Monet, that would showcase the ingenuity of each of my middle school students.

This was my first summer participating in Create, Make, Learn.  Throughout the week long hands on workshops I learned more than I anticipated. I've always felt comfortable with hand tools, and in the wood shop, but had no experience with tech tools such a soldering, LEDs, or interactive tools like the Makey Makey.  

Lucie provided me with various resources and supplies and my time at Create, Make, Learn gave me the support structure and confidence to undertake the process of making my prototype for my students.

My first step was to create a battery connection and switch for my green LED light.  With support from Craig Lyndes I was able to solder my switch to male/female connections, linking my battery with my green LED light.

Then I created my flower using green fabric from the craft store, some floral tape, and an old plastic tube my son had laying around.  I was able to assemble everything so that my LED illuminated my emerald flower using my on/off switch.

I then used the Makey Makey to add sound to my flower by setting up a simple circuit.  As long as I held the ground and touch the flowers the piano sound played.  I found this resource from the Makey Makey website very helpful.

This is the piano resource that I used to help add sound to my flower.

After some trouble working out the connections, fabric is not a great insulator I learned. I finally completed my prototype.  I can't wait to show this to my students and know that they will be able to take my concept much further.  I feel the together we will learn so much about melding art and technology and am so excited for the final results to be unveiled next spring!