Thermistors are pretty cool little items. They convert heat into resistance. By having the temperature available as resistance, you can use the value to control other things like circuits and programs. Photo cells do the same thing with light, and they are in lots of common devices from night lights to dimmers on clock radios. […]
Meatricity is the electricity generated by the muscle power of humans or other animals. After a great day working on project ideas for Alternative Energy module in next summer’s Learn 2 Teach / Teach 2 Learn program at the South End Technology Center, I drove by a huge workout gym sort of filled with beautiful […]
This morning, Ed Baafi, Amon Milner, Jacob William, and a number of the youth leaders at Learn 2 Teach, Teach 2 Learn developed an idea of how to teach electricity to youth with a new kit idea. What we are looking to do is reinvent the Alternative Energy module in the summer program. The kit […]
Certainly there are lots of electronics and kits that have entered Makers’ lives lately. Some people already know how to solder, but many people are just getting started. Amy posted a comment voicing her frustration at learning the seemingly guild like skill of soldering. Below are my notes to Amy, which seemed like it would […]
Brad sends this about his son’s gift project: For Christmas this year, Lucas made his grandmom a battery powered amp for her guitar. This was a big project – first time with a soldering iron. Worked out well with only one minor burn. He did 80% of the soldering and drilled all the holes for […]
Here’s a brief, introductory video on how to make your own clay plaster and lime paint from skilled cob builders who have written a step-by-step book on building with cob: (Via Chelsea Green)
Here’s the transformation of a lawn into an edible landscape: Thanks to Rebekah and Stephen Hren, authors of The Carbon-Free Home, whose lawn is featured in the photos, and Bountiful Backyards for the slideshow.
