A home for projects that Paige and Noelle So'Brien have worked on as part of their homeschool program with the ADLC (Alberta Distance Learning Center). Some projects were just for fun. However, we try to align outcomes to Alberta Education objectives so feel free to re-use them.
One way the world could end is when the sun grows into a Red Giant
Paige is quite interested in astronomy and also loves art. She is entering Grade 6. Our task is to help her to communicate her (very deep) thoughts. This picture above shows the expected fate of earth billions of years from now as the sun reaches the end of its life.
She preferred to draw this on the computer with the captioned software and a graphics tablet.
We want to keep this sample so we can baseline her progress. It is quite a challenge to get her to write. However, she is quite enthusiastic with reading and math.
This was one of the best day trips we did this summer. The Ellis Bird Farm is a great destination for exploring nature and would be appropriate for many grade levels.
Bugs and crawlies - learn about the eco system in a pond
Paige has always had a passion for artwork and drawing. She is becoming proficient in using graphics tablets and transforming her hand-drawn pieces into computer graphics.
We are learning to use Anime Studio, a great software title from Smith Micro
Paige can already use the package to animate shapes. It also helped her to grasp some math concepts involving geometry and the manipulation of coordinates in 2D space
We are coming up with ways to track the plane while it is in the air and even take pictures and video from the plane. We connect a GPS unit, a radio transmitter and a battery power supply then let her go!
A GPS unit on top of the wing
A radio transmitter below the wing
Testing the battery life and voltage
Ground station showing the plane's position while in flight
Here is a link to some video of the Ground Station in action. It is written in "Processing", a programming language developed at MIT.
Processing and Wiring/Arduino are both open source projects suitable for children from Grade 6 and up. The emerging field of Physical Computing gets kids hands on with fun projects that give life to real world objects.
For younger kids, the Telus World of Science is using a platform called Crickets and a simple language called Scratch. Here are a couple of websites featuring projects for younger kids: http://www.pienetwork.org/crickets/ MIT backgrounder
My GPS Tracker project (See Teachable moments 2) is in the testing phase. I needed a small package for mounting the parts in the final product.
Answer: Why not make a Vacuum Former to shape plastic sheets? Let's see how I can get Paige and Ellie involved. It turns out that they were really excited (or just couldn't sleep). We even got to explore other ways of "cloning" shapes like wax molding.
Here are a few results
A few finished pieces from Plastic Vacuum Forming
Paige painting one of the wax Clones - a cat
Ellie made a copy of this seal toy
Here's how we completed this project.
Safety - make sure you are working in a well ventilated area Knowledge - Look at a few websites like Instructables.com, Make Magazine, even Youtube
Components
Vacuum Former - Large plastic container with a lid, vacuum cleaner, heat gun or hair dryer
Wax molding - Wax candle, plasticine or playdough, cupcake cups
NOTE: Some hobby shops sell molding and casting kits - shop around for options
Vacuum Forming
1. Test your materials
We tested a few household plastics
Milk containers are surprisingly good!
These plastic plates have nice color and melting characteristics
2. Next, make the former
Use the lid for the vacuum plate
Drill it full of holes
An old water bottle makes a good support
Now use the bowl and draw out a hole for the vacuum attachment
Drill and cut (be careful here)
Seal the vacuum with silicone rubber
Insert the hose and VIOLA - A vacuum former!
3. Now for some testing
Place a piece of plastic on top of the former (e.g. the plate we showed earlier)
Try the vacuum.
Heat the plastic in even strokes with the air gun while keeping the vacuum pressure
Result with an animal shape
Tips & tricks
Watch for air leaks. Silicone rubber can seal leaks on the air hose side.
Cling wrap is really good for sealing your plastic sheet to the former. You can heat it along with the plastic sheet and remove it after.
Practice a few pieces till you get the heat and timing right
And now.. How to do wax molding
1. Make the mold
The kids made their own molds from playdough by squeezing thier toy between 2 pie shaped pieces.
2. Clone your toy
Next, cut up some wax and heat it in the cupcake cup till it melts. The heat gun works nicely. Paigey measured the melting point at about 80 degC with an IR Thermometer.
Disposable hot wax container - A.K.A. cupcake cup
Mold shells with a wax copy
Tips & Tricks
Stir the wax while it's being heated
Don't waste your good candles. Use left-over wax from a used large candle
Create air holes so that air pockets do not build up. Paige thought through the path of the wax and put holes for wax entry and air exit
When making the mold mark some lines across the joined pieces to re-align them after they are separated.
Wait enough time for the wax to solidify
Learning outcomes:
- 3D shapes
- Gas pressure, the vacuum concept
- melting point and freezing point
