Resources For Parents
Michigan Makers is a pilot project of the University of Michigan School of Information and East Middle School. Originally designed for 20 first-come, first-served middle schoolers to interact with volunteer graduate student mentors, we have now doubled our capacity. Enrollment is now closed for the 2012-2013 school year.
If you are interested in expanding your interests in these kinds of projects, we recommend scanning through the information below.
If you are interested in expanding your interests in these kinds of projects, we recommend scanning through the information below.
What's in our community?Check out these lists of makerspace
resources that are in your area. MakerSpaces Maker Stores/Supplies |
What can I do with my kids at home?
One of the best parts about what we're doing at Michigan Makers is that most of our projects can be replicated, built on, and tinkered with at home. We've purposefully chosen projects that use affordable tools and materials and that depend on open-sourced, free software and/or information.
The Michigan Maker Mentors are currently compiling resources. Check back soon for a list!
Squishy Circuits Store
That's right - there's an entire online store devoted to Squishy Circuits materials and components! They sell individual parts, fun kits for special projects, and they also run a super cool SC photo contest where contestants can submit photos of their SC inventions and win a $25 gift card to the store! (Check out the amazing SC brain here.)
Sylvia's Super-Awesome Maker Show
Looking for more ideas for Making Projects you can do at home? Super-Awesome Sylvia is a great place to start. Sylvia was eight-years-old when she started recording videos about making and her website offers countless ideas for tinkering and creating in an easy-to-understand format. She also accepts submission for new project ideas - so be sure to share any cool inventions with her!
Make: Projects
The folks over at Make love to share! Check out this website to get ideas for hundreds of different projects, from computer programming to Arduino inventions to simpler ideas like working with paper and glue. Projects are organized by topic, and most walk Makers through with photos, screen shots, or videos. All projects include a materials list and suggestions of where you can buy the stuff you need to complete the tasks.
Howstuffworks
Want to know what's inside your computer? Want to hook your monitor up to your TV? Want to know how a t-shirt can turn sound into electricity? Howstuffworks.com is an amazing site that offers ba-zillions of bytes of data that can help you and your child explore the worlds of science, technology, and well... everything else.
Arduino
Does your Michigan Maker LOVE Arduinos? Do you want to buy your own (because they're oh-so-affordable - $25!!) and tinker together at home? Head on over to the Arduino website to learn about the products capabilities, component prices, and possible projects. You can also download the free, open-source software there that will enable you to code your Arduino. The site will teach you the basics and get you started.
Arduino Ideas on Instructables
Run out of Arduino project ideas? You won't here! Scan through dozens and dozens of awesome ideas that range from building your own pressure-activated light-up umbrella to constructing a wireless animatronic hand. Not kidding. You can make your own animatronic hand.
The Michigan Maker Mentors are currently compiling resources. Check back soon for a list!
Squishy Circuits Store
That's right - there's an entire online store devoted to Squishy Circuits materials and components! They sell individual parts, fun kits for special projects, and they also run a super cool SC photo contest where contestants can submit photos of their SC inventions and win a $25 gift card to the store! (Check out the amazing SC brain here.)
Sylvia's Super-Awesome Maker Show
Looking for more ideas for Making Projects you can do at home? Super-Awesome Sylvia is a great place to start. Sylvia was eight-years-old when she started recording videos about making and her website offers countless ideas for tinkering and creating in an easy-to-understand format. She also accepts submission for new project ideas - so be sure to share any cool inventions with her!
Make: Projects
The folks over at Make love to share! Check out this website to get ideas for hundreds of different projects, from computer programming to Arduino inventions to simpler ideas like working with paper and glue. Projects are organized by topic, and most walk Makers through with photos, screen shots, or videos. All projects include a materials list and suggestions of where you can buy the stuff you need to complete the tasks.
Howstuffworks
Want to know what's inside your computer? Want to hook your monitor up to your TV? Want to know how a t-shirt can turn sound into electricity? Howstuffworks.com is an amazing site that offers ba-zillions of bytes of data that can help you and your child explore the worlds of science, technology, and well... everything else.
Arduino
Does your Michigan Maker LOVE Arduinos? Do you want to buy your own (because they're oh-so-affordable - $25!!) and tinker together at home? Head on over to the Arduino website to learn about the products capabilities, component prices, and possible projects. You can also download the free, open-source software there that will enable you to code your Arduino. The site will teach you the basics and get you started.
Arduino Ideas on Instructables
Run out of Arduino project ideas? You won't here! Scan through dozens and dozens of awesome ideas that range from building your own pressure-activated light-up umbrella to constructing a wireless animatronic hand. Not kidding. You can make your own animatronic hand.
Permission Slip
Take a look at the Michigan Makers permission slip for ideas about:
- What's going on during the sessions
- What your child might be involved in (i.e. using soldering irons, electrical circuits, etc.)
- To find out more about how much or how little your child will be allowed to be photographed, quoted, or mentioned by name for future publications about the program
- To find out more about what YOU can contribute: want to volunteer? Bring snacks?
Except for where otherwise noted, contents on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Copyright 2013. Michigan Makers. Details and Exceptions
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