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A network for D&T teachers in NW England interested in exploring the electronics and CAD/CAM aspects of Digital D&T.
Supported by the D&TA. This was one of our predictions for 2012, not the rivers of blood, but drones being used by "citizen journalists" more and more - I think this is a good example, even if accidental. My friend Johngineer posted up a great list of "The future of Drones".
Fused Filament Printing with Water-Soluble Support
- 2 hours ago
Veteran Thingiverse user Tony Buser has printed a model (intended to be an approximation of the fractal Hilbert curve) using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a support material. Once everything is printed and cooled, the PVA is dissolved away in a glass of water, leaving only the polylactic acid (PLA) model. This technique, when perfected, should [...]
Two years ago I wrote about what a delight it was to discover the UT-Austin School of Architecture’s Materials Lab when I was on campus there, and it seems appropriate to resurrect the topic in honor of our theme this month. Kevin Kelly just posted a roundup of major materials libraries around the USA over [...]
In the Maker Shed: Teleclaw – Telerobotic Gripper Kit
- 7 hours ago
Need a hand? Build your own with the Telerobotic Gripper Kit from the Maker Shed! This kit includes everything you need to make the Teleclaw featured in MAKE: Volume 27, right down to the batteries.
Smartphone-Controlled Ball Launcher
- 8 hours ago
Andrew and his brother built this great ping-pong ball launcher out of salvaged and repurposed parts. I especially like the 13-ball hopper made from two paper towel tubes taped together, and the clever K’Nex-controlled release mechanism. The launcher is controlled with an Arduino connected to a computer and activated via a remote desktop app from [...]
Railroad Spike Oyster Knives
- 9 hours ago
I like these hand-forged oyster knives from Kirk Davis and Michael Waller of Carolina Shuckers enough to actually consider eating a raw oyster, so long as I got to use one to open it, first. Reminds me of the work of Tai Goo. [via Dude Craft] More:Railroad Spike Rope Dart
Pollution has never been so fashionable: A pair of NYU grad...
- over a year ago
Pollution has never been so fashionable: A pair of NYU grad students have created a high-tech sweatshirt emblazoned with pink lungs that suddenly show blue veins when exposed to dirty air. (via Grad students create color-changing clothes that detect air pollution)
Housed in Tezuka’s Woods of Net pavilion is a work by Japanese...
- over a year ago
Housed in Tezuka’s Woods of Net pavilion is a work by Japanese net artist Horiuchi Macadam. Via.
Engineering for Change provides a forum to connect, collaborate,...
- over a year ago
Engineering for Change provides a forum to connect, collaborate, solve challenges and share knowledge among a growing community of engineers, technologists, social scientists, NGOs, local governments and community advocates, who are dedicated to improving the quality of life all over the world.
Arduino the Documentary
- over a year ago
Arduino the Documentary
MAP Office, ‘Crab Island’, 2010.
- over a year ago
MAP Office, ‘Crab Island’, 2010.
pavement Karl Gude ben fry : shriyashriyashriya
- over a year ago
pavement Karl Gude ben fry : shriyashriyashriya
The language of cyber security sounds dangerous. Firewalls.
Viruses. Trojans. Warfare. So when I went along to the Cyber
Security Challenge designed to test the best hackers in the
land, I was expecting at least a percentage of attendees to be
armoured in full Robocop regalia.
The reality turned out to be rather more prosaic than that,
despite one of the sponsors -- SAIC -- decorating
On the show this week the idea for temples for Britain's
atheists take a step forward towards reality, the most worrying
internet law to be considered in recent years gains worrying
support by the EU, and a presidential hopeful in the US has
astonishing plans to build a base... on the moon.
We also explore Wired magazine's 2012 Smart List, find out what
it is, and speak to some of the high-flyin
GeekDad deciphers the recent Skylanders rumours
- 5 hours ago
The internet should be a place of truth and enlightenment, but
the more I think about (and contribute to) it, the more it seems
more like an echo chamber.
What got me thinking about this was a regular refrain from my
eight-year-old daughter, upon finding something online: "Dad, is
this true?" She then goes on to read out her latest discovery. More
often than not I end up tying myself up in all s
"Found footage" movies generally stick to horror,
from Blair Witch to Paranormal
Activity, all the way back to Cannibal
Holocaust, sometimes veering over into monster movies
(Cloverfield and Troll Hunter) but so
far they have stayed clear of superheroes.
Not this year, though. Chronicle follows
three American high-schoolers through camcorder foot
How to cook with liquid nitrogen
- 6 hours ago
The tool du jour of the more exhibitionist chefs, liquid
nitrogen is good for more than school science demos. But you don't
need a lab to use it at home. Craig McDonnell, head chef at
Yorkshire's Gray Ox Inn, explains how.
Gas or welding suppliers can sort you out. "They bring it in a
big tanker, like in Terminator 2," says
McDonnell. "There's no point trying to refrigerate it, bu
Medical sensor charges up by listening to rap music
- 6 hours ago
A team of biomedical engineers have created a tiny pressure
sensor that's designed to be implanted inside the body. It
generates its power by vibrating to music within a frequency range
of 200-500 hertz. And the perfect genre for that frequency?
Rap.
"Rap is the best because it contains a lot of low frequency
sound, notably the bass," said Babak Ziaie, a Purdue University
professor of electrical
New Virtual Helper Challenges Siri
- 18 hours ago
An app named Evi uses semantic data to provide a wider range of answers.
The market for sweetly named smart-phone assistants is heating up, as Siri, Apple's iPhone-based virtual helper, just got a new "frenemy" named Evi.
Apple and Labor
- 4 hours ago
Following a scathing report, Apple CEO Tim Cook gets defensive.
The New York Times has published a lengthy report titled “In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad.” It begins with a scene that no Apple employee could feel particularly proud to read: “The explosion ripped through Building A5 on Friday evening last May, an eruption of fire and noise that twisted metal pipes as if they were disca
The TV on Your Shirt
- 5 hours ago
Adafruit Industries announces a new wearable technology platform.
Wearable electronics gets a new boost, with a new platform from Adafruit Industries, the brainchild of DIY-goddess Limor Fried (hacker handle: Ladyada). The new platform, dubbed the Flora, points to a future where people are wearing TV screens--or at least, something vaguely like them--on their T-shirts.
Why 3-D Printing Isn't Like Virtual Reality
- 6 hours ago
Before you dismiss it as a fad, consider the evolution of 2-D printing.
I'd like to sneak up on the question of 3-D printing by way of boring old 2-D printing.
... And Scrabble Proved PSPACE-Complete
- 17 hours ago
Following news that Pac-Man is NP-Hard, theorists determine the computational complexity of Scrabble.
Having been invented in the US in the mid-20th century, Scrabble is now available in dozens of languages and sells in numbers measured in hundreds of millions. That makes it one of the most popular games in the world.
In the Developing World, Solar Is Cheaper than Fossil Fuels
- 18 hours ago
Advances are opening solar to the 1.3 billion people who don't have access to grid electricity.
The falling cost of LED lighting, batteries, and solar panels, together with innovative business plans, are allowing millions of households in Africa and elsewhere to switch from crude kerosene lamps to cleaner and safer electric lighting. For many, this offers a means to charge their mobile phones, wh
Facebook clickjacking legal row
- 64 minutes ago
The social network and Washington State sue a marketing firm over claims that it deceived users by hiding 'Like' buttons. The firm denies the charge.
Top Euro MP quits in piracy row
- 8 hours ago
A European Parliament rapporteur stands down in protest as a controversial anti-piracy agreement is signed by several countries.
Botnet suspect denies involvement
- 4 hours ago
The Russian man accused by Microsoft of being behind the Kelihos botnet attack insists he is "absolutely not guilty".
FBI social network scraping app
- 33 hours ago
The FBI asks contractors to suggest a system that can "scrape" information from social networks to build alert maps.
Twitter 'can censor by country'
- 6 hours ago
Twitter says it now has the technology to censor tweets on a country by country basis, a move which is criticised by freedom of information campaigners.
Intel buys RealNetworks patents
- 27 hours ago
Intel is paying $120m (£76m) for RealNetwork's video patents. Experts say it undermines claims that a "patent bubble" has burst.
Tuition fees commission set up
- 9 hours ago
An independent commission has been set up to examine the impact of increased tuition fees in England.
Lagging pupils 'don't catch up'
- 37 hours ago
Just one in 15 pupils in England starting secondary school "behind" for their age, gets five good GCSEs, official data shows.
Two grammars top league tables
- 31 hours ago
Two grammar schools are at the top of this year's secondary school league tables.
Failure in sex abuse teacher case
- 27 hours ago
A teacher was able to film himself abusing young girls because of a "lamentable failure" by school management, a review finds.
Babies' brains 'show autism risk'
- 23 hours ago
It may be possible to detect autism at a much earlier age than previously thought, say researchers.
Jubilee cooking contest 'illegal'
- 30 hours ago
The anti-monarchy group Republic warns schools they may break the law if they take part in a cooking competition to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
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 A note on on-line CPD from the D&TA.
Because these courses come with Impact Awards they are, in effect, not only
free but provide enough funds to buy some equipment.
Torben
Want to engage students with motors or textiles and electronics?
As the New Year starts, now is the time to be thinking about professional
development to give you new ideas that will inspire both you and your students'
learning in 2012.
‘Teaching Tomorrow's Designers & Technologists Today' programme is a
partnership between the national network of Science Learning Centres and the
D&T Association. An inspiring, high quality programme of CPD has been
developed with the aim to stimulate greater interest in design and technology
(D&T) and encourage students to continue studying the subject at KS4.
Using motors in KS3 D&T: Embedding motor control in your department's
curriculum
This online course introduces the concepts and knowledge necessary to teach
mechanical actuation through using motors, gearboxes and simple control
technology. Over a period of eight weeks, (studying for up to three hours per
week), participants will work together and use an easily accessible online hub
to develop skills, knowledge and plans.
Course Code:NKO11402
Start Date: 03 Feb 12
Course Cost: £195 + VAT
Impact Award: This course is eligible for an Impact Award of £400
To find out more about this course and to book a place please visit the course
page
https://www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/centres/national/courses-and-events/38607-51357
Linking Textiles and Electronics at KS3
This online course introduces the materials, concepts and knowledge necessary
to present e-textiles to KS3 pupils. Over a period of six weeks, (studying up to
three hours per week and supported by a tutor), participants will work together
and use an easily accessible online hub and a small kit of e-textiles materials
to develop their e-textiles skills and knowledge and to plan work in their
schools.
Course Code:NKO11356
Start Date: 06 Feb 12
Course Cost: £195 plus VAT
Impact Award:This course is eligible for an Impact Award of £400
To find out more about this course and to book, please visit the course
page
https://www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/centres/national/courses-and-events/39746-52796
Thanks to the Department for Education we are able to provide Impact Award
bursaries for these courses. The bursaries can be used to contribute to covering
the cost of course fees, expenses and resources. In order to receive an Impact
Award, individuals will need to be from a state-funded school, which include
maintained schools, academies and free schools. For more information
about the Impact Award please visit
https://www.sciencelearningcentres.org.uk/about/impact-awards
  Wed, 3/7/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Four twilight sessions from 4.30 - 6.30 7th & 14th March then 16th & 23rd May
Edge Hill University is pleased to be able to offer accreditation training in the new release of Creo Elements (formerly Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0). This 3D solid modelling package incorporates powerful CAD capabilities, recognised by design and engineering industries worldwide. Introducing the software to your school will provide your students with an opportunity to join the largest international community of users of any 3D CAD system.
Participants on the course will receive face to face tuition from experienced trainers and will be supported by comprehensive self paced tutorials. The course will not only cover the skills to use the software but will look at ‘Creo in the classroom' with examples of pupils work using this software. A free, single user version of the software will also be given to participants to enable them to practice between training sessions. Support beyond the course will be provided to enable teachers to complete the ‘post course task.' Successful completion of this task will enable teachers to receive a free school site licence and up to 100 student licences for home use.
This is a free course. However, there will be a registration fee, payable to the Design and Technology Association of £85 + vat for the first teacher to be trained in a school and £35 + vat for each additional teacher/technician in that school. There is a reduced rate for trainee teachers.
All of the above courses can be linked to the new, practice-based MA Education (Design and Technology) provided by Edge Hill University. .
  Wed, 2/22/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Adobe Photoshop is widely used by both Art and Design and Design &Technology teachers at both Key Stage 3 and 4. This short course will be of value to teachers who are inexperienced users of this software and wish to develop their expertise.
We are delighted to have local D&T teacher, Lee Peachey delivering this course. Before entering teaching, Lee trained as an Architect during which time he gained considerable experience in using Adobe Photoshop. He took this experience into his teaching of Design and Technology and has successfully introduced Adobe Photoshop to classes at KS3 through to ‘A' level Product Design. In addition to demonstrating the basic skills in the use of this software, Lee will showcase examples of both his own work and those completed by pupils to illustrate the potential of this software
All courses can be linked to the new, practice-based MA Education (Design and Technology) provided by Edge Hill University. .
To book contact Christine Bootle via phone or email.
 Wed, 2/29/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Dye sublimation printing is a new and exciting digital process that allows you to print onto a wide variety of materials such as fabrics, plastics, coated metals and ceramics, at low cost and in full colour to near photographic quality. The process is flexible, and can be used across all material areas of Design and Technology. The twilight will cover an explanation of the Dye sublimation process, its relevance to design and technology together with costs of equipment and materials. This will be followed by a ‘hands on' practical session allowing teachers to design and print at least two items from a resistant material and a fabric.
Tue, 2/7/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - This twilight will look at a range of 3D manufacture techniques including rapid prototyping and innovative use of your laser cutter to produce 3D forms from low cost materials. Teachers who attend this will take away samples of the products and the offer of support from Edge Hill University Digital Support Centre for 3D manufacture of pupil projects.
  Wed, 1/25/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Arising out of the innovative work in the engineering department of St Thomas
University, Minnesota this twilight will explore the use of play dough to create
circuits and explore electronics. By eliminating the need for soldering or
breadboards it is possible to introduce simple circuit construction to younger
aged pupils. This twilight will show how to make your own conducting and
insulating dough and the possibilities provided by this material – a fun time
is guaranteed for all!
 I attended the course at Edge Hill yesterday and it was full of useful info. Neil - don't know your surname mentioned a website 'TEK' something or other - if you look at the site Neil could you post the name. I have had a look at the datasheets on the DATA website and can't get beyond the first page - they are the same format as the EIS stuff - is it just or is it not working properly??
Regards
Peter
 Sat, 3/24/12 - Announcing the 2012 North West Design & Technology Festival
This is a preliminary announcement of the date and venue for the NW D&T
Festival.
The important thing to note at this point is that we have chosen Saturday 24th
March for the Festival and that there is an 'early bird' booking discount for
bookings made before 20th January.
Also please note that all bookings are being made through the Science Learning
Centre NW.
Please see the attached leaflet for details and booking information.
Cheers, Torben
A new report from The Design Commission, Restarting Britain: Design
Education and Growth, has recently been published and has some interesting
recommendations and observations about D&T education in the light of the
Curriculum Review.
The pamphlet (executive summary) is a good short read and there is also a
clear summary of the document on Design Week.
Cheers,
Torben
This may be of interest to some - especially those who create YouTube content
for educational purposes...
BBC News - YouTube launches schools-friendly video service
Torben
 Thu, 2/2/12, 4:45 pm - 6:15 pm - Please let Torben know if you are coming so that we have enough equipment and
refreshments laid on.
[But if you forget to let us know, don't let that put you off coming....]
The main content of this session will be agreed after the network meeting on
the 7th November.
However we will spend a little time looking at free and open source software
tools to support electronics and exploring their possibilities in education.
Full details of all meetings and courses, venues and how to book are on the
corrected document document attached to this newer news item.
Please ignore the attachment on this message
 Sat, 2/4/12, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm - This course runs over two Saturdays: Feb 4th and March 3rd 2012
This course looks at how sustainability can be effectively incorporated into
pupil project work in electronics. On the first day you will design and
make a small electronic product that can be powered by USB and a supercapacitor,
and explore creative and sustainable design in electronics.
Day two will introduce the ‘Light up the World' Project, a free STEM-based
resource focussed on sustainable design for people in developing countries. You
will compare solid-state and conventional lighting and design and make an LED
lamp for a child with no access to mains electricity.
Full details of all meetings and courses, venues and how to book are on the
corrected document document attached to this newer news item.
Please ignore the attachment on this message
Tue, 2/7/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - This twilight will look at a range of 3D manufacture techniques including rapid prototyping and innovative use of your laser cutter to produce 3D forms from low cost materials. Teachers who attend this will take away samples of the products and the offer of support from Edge Hill University Digital Support Centre for 3D manufacture of pupil projects.
Wed, 2/22/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Adobe Photoshop is widely used by both Art and Design and Design &Technology teachers at both Key Stage 3 and 4. This short course will be of value to teachers who are inexperienced users of this software and wish to develop their expertise.
We are delighted to have local D&T teacher, Lee Peachey delivering this course. Before entering teaching, Lee trained as an Architect during which time he gained considerable experience in using Adobe Photoshop. He took this experience into his teaching of Design and Technology and has successfully introduced Adobe Photoshop to classes at KS3 through to ‘A' level Product Design. In addition to demonstrating the basic skills in the use of this software, Lee will showcase examples of both his own work and those completed by pupils to illustrate the potential of this software
All courses can be linked to the new, practice-based MA Education (Design and Technology) provided by Edge Hill University. .
To book contact Christine Bootle via phone or email.
Wed, 2/29/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Dye sublimation printing is a new and exciting digital process that allows you to print onto a wide variety of materials such as fabrics, plastics, coated metals and ceramics, at low cost and in full colour to near photographic quality. The process is flexible, and can be used across all material areas of Design and Technology. The twilight will cover an explanation of the Dye sublimation process, its relevance to design and technology together with costs of equipment and materials. This will be followed by a ‘hands on' practical session allowing teachers to design and print at least two items from a resistant material and a fabric.
Wed, 3/7/12, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm - Four twilight sessions from 4.30 - 6.30 7th & 14th March then 16th & 23rd May
Edge Hill University is pleased to be able to offer accreditation training in the new release of Creo Elements (formerly Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 5.0). This 3D solid modelling package incorporates powerful CAD capabilities, recognised by design and engineering industries worldwide. Introducing the software to your school will provide your students with an opportunity to join the largest international community of users of any 3D CAD system.
Participants on the course will receive face to face tuition from experienced trainers and will be supported by comprehensive self paced tutorials. The course will not only cover the skills to use the software but will look at ‘Creo in the classroom' with examples of pupils work using this software. A free, single user version of the software will also be given to participants to enable them to practice between training sessions. Support beyond the course will be provided to enable teachers to complete the ‘post course task.' Successful completion of this task will enable teachers to receive a free school site licence and up to 100 student licences for home use.
This is a free course. However, there will be a registration fee, payable to the Design and Technology Association of £85 + vat for the first teacher to be trained in a school and £35 + vat for each additional teacher/technician in that school. There is a reduced rate for trainee teachers.
All of the above courses can be linked to the new, practice-based MA Education (Design and Technology) provided by Edge Hill University. .
Sat, 3/24/12 - Announcing the 2012 North West Design & Technology Festival
This is a preliminary announcement of the date and venue for the NW D&T
Festival.
The important thing to note at this point is that we have chosen Saturday 24th
March for the Festival and that there is an 'early bird' booking discount for
bookings made before 20th January.
Also please note that all bookings are being made through the Science Learning
Centre NW.
Please see the attached leaflet for details and booking information.
Cheers, Torben
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Hi everyone. Just a reminder that the course Electronics and Sustainability is coming up soon and places are available but filling up fast! Day 1 is on Stat 4th Feb and day 2 on Sat 3rd March - both 10am - 2pm at MMU Didsbury Campus. Please let me or Torben know if you would like to attend so we can send you an application form! 
