MakeFashion Edu Behind-The-Scenes Video

by | Mar 25, 2019 | MakeFashion Edu

Produced by Michael Shaw

Tucson, AZ, March 25th, 2019 – Students from three Tucson schools designed their own fashion tech and walked the runway two months ago. Now MakeFashion Edu, the organization behind that event, has released a behind the scenes documentary detailing student projects and how these educators were able to bring art and tech innovation into their classrooms.

MakeFashion Edu works with teachers, parents, and communities to inspire students to be creative and learn how to use technology at the same time. Director Carrie Leung highlights a result of the program: “Kids that normally wouldn’t touch tech are now using tech as tools, and kids that normally don’t see themselves as creative, are now seeing themselves as more creative.” Students are encouraged to tell a story and express something about themselves, and Leung says that motivates students as well as creates a welcoming entry point for boys and girls to learn and experiment with tech.

Materials

makefashion.org/edu supplies, lots of cloth, clothes the kids and parents supplied, and tools supplied by the teachers and schools

Starter Guides

fiber optic makeup, bit lighting, pillow dress

GetBook.at/CraftyElectronics, and SteamHead videos!

Be inspired by the Tuscon projects in detail here

Educator Insights

Twila Busby, local educator at Hollinger K-8, discusses the challenges of trying to make a difference in education and starting a new school program. Busby says she had support from the community and administrators to make this possible as well as community donations, Donors Choose, and Arizona tax credits. Busby encourages other teachers wanting to bring programs like this to their school to “Just start…on a small scale, do one project” and build from there. MakeFashion Edu provides assistance to teachers writing program and grant proposals.

MakeFashion Edu Behind-The-Scenes Documentary

by | Mar 25, 2019 | MakeFashion Edu

 We’re really excited about our MakeFashion Edu project, and we want teachers, parents, and students around the world to get inspired and learn from our experience. One of the best ways to do that is to take everyone behind the scenes, so they can see how our Tucson show came together!

This documentary has been a couple months in the making. We wanted to share stories from the kids, teachers, and organizers on the ground, show some of the works in progress, and let Carrie and Twila share some of their philosophy and advice to others trying to make programs like this a reality in their schools. 

 If you missed the runway highlights, you can see those here: https://steamhead.space/tucson-makefashion-edu/

Materials

the new Classroom Kits, plus fabric and clothes from home. The teachers actually got a grant to purchase these materials, and helped us create the kits!

Starter Guides

fiber optic makeup, bit lighting, pillow dress

Search for neo-pixels on Instructables.com, and you can find a bunch of stuff!

Workshop Insights

Want to bring a program like this to your school district, or even just your classroom? Contact the team at http://www.makefashion.ca/edu/home/contact/

 

Offline Kickstarter at SAIS

by | Mar 11, 2019 | Events

Throw-back to the beginning of SAIS’s PBL roots! Shenzhen American International school, Shenzhen’s only PBL school at the time, started it’s PBL programming with projects like this.

Students found community needs, in this case one kid’s mom constantly forgot her keys at home, and solved them using electronics and design. This device has a motion sensor and a speaker, to remind the mom “Don’t forget your keys please!” whenever she leaves the house. It’s installed at adult head-height, so the student doesn’t trigger it when walking by.

Materials
Grove Zero, a 3D printer, and a PBL Teacher!
Starter Guides
Intro video with James in it! Lots of starter projects at Seeed’s site here
Workshop Insights
When the students brought the project to the Shenzhen Makerfaire, the adult entrepreneurs of Shenzhen were impressed! They even asked for copies of the business plan template that the kids used!

Having the kids solve real problems helped the school get away from the crazy 40 minute class schedule that students normally have. The teachers showed that the students were still learning relevant topics, and also were highly motivated. This led to the lengthening and combining of topics in classes, and eventually a full PBL system.

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