MMEx

The Monroe Maker Experience –  digital fabrication PD for educators in Monroe County Community Schools Corporation (MCCSC)

Last week I spent 3 days with 2 teacher leaders and 2 dozen of their fellow educators from a couple of MCCSC schools helping them with their digital fabrication skills. (There were 2 other lab sites with more MCCSC educators). To get people started, we gave mini lessons on 3D design with Tinkercad and 2D design with Adobe Illustrator. The goal was for teachers to use several of the digital fabrication tools available (laser cutter, 3D printer, vinyl cutter) to make a game, whether that be board game or arcade game. Most people focused on content area ideas for their game. Some people had zero maker experience, others had a good amount. Most of my time was spent helping on laser things (design and actual operation of the machine). We only talked a little bit about the pedagogy of MakerEd, and I think we need to talk more about that (this was designed as get better with the tools).

Here are pictures of some of the games :

(we will try to embed from Microsoft…but it always seems to not like sharing)