During the week of TCEA I was lucky enough to attend a
Makers Movement workshop. I knew as soon as I walked in the door that I would
love the workshop because there was “stuff” everywhere. This truly was a hands
on workshop where you got to make stuff! After a short 10 minute overview of
the Maker’s Movement we were assigned the task of creating a chair using
cardboard and these plastic zip-tie like connectors. This activity was right up
my alley. As a DIYer fanatic at home I dove right into the project and our
group came up with a pretty cool design.
We then took a circuit board and play doh to make a
controller to play Pac Man. This was seriously the most fun I had ever had a
workshop. Most importantly the presenter told us how each activity connected
back to the TEKS and how each project included multiple TEKS.
We completed
several other hands on task and then we left with the presenters’ website to
view other projects that were similar to the ones we completed. I scrolled
through the website a week later to come across the Wiki Seat project http://www.wikiseat.org/. I was instantly intrigued because
it gave the kids the chance to think outside of the box and still apply math,
science, and language arts skills. I
went ahead and purchased 2 of the catalyst with hopes that one teacher would
love the project!
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| The Wiki Seat catalyst of the starting point of the project. Students add 3 legs and a top to create a functional seat. |
The first elementary teacher I approached liked the idea but
wasn’t sure where she would get the materials and didn’t know when her class
would have time. Strike 1! I reevaluated and tried an art teacher at the
secondary level. No response… Strike 2! Why wasn’t anyone jumping on this
opportunity? This was such a cool project and it covered so many concepts!
Skip ahead a month...On a
whim I emailed the high school welding teacher in hopes that maybe he could at
least weld a few additional catalyst for me and then I could approach a teacher
with a class set of catalyst. No response…. Strike 3! (So I thought) Well I’m not one to give up when it
comes to a cool project that I feel passionate about so I decided to drop by
the welding class and “bug” the teacher.
With my wiki seat
shipping box in hand I walk into a classroom full of high school students and
ask the teacher if he read my email. Yes, I know not the most professional way
to handle the situation but I am persistent and don’t like to told no (does
anyone like to be told no, didn’t think so). I was welcomed into the class and
given a 30 minute tour of the facilities. The teacher supported the project and
wanted to display the finished products at his FFA banquet in a month.
Victory at last!! I had a willing teacher however, would I have willing students????
Stay tuned for Part 2 when I get to introduce the project to 3 classes of high school students! Let's just say I didn't get the response I was hoping for!
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