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Garage Robotics is a Go!
On January 22nd, 2010 marc Says
What do you get when you combine veteran MOUSE Squad members with breadboards, circuits, and switches?
Garage Robotics Specialists!
In the spirit of the DIY movement, MAKE Zine, and the long history of tinkerers, inventors, and at-home engineers, here comes Garage Robotics. On Thursday, January 21st, 40 of NYC's finest Squad Members assembled along with 5 star MOUSE Squad Coordinators to launch a pilot semester of the Garage Robotics Badge at Manhattan's ACCESS School. Together, Squad Members and Coordinators built circuits, lit LEDs, and experimented with a digital switch.
Garage Robotics (GR) is the first in a series of "Specialist Badges," or extended certification opportunities for experienced Squad members, being written and tested for MOUSE Squads. This pilot curriculum is being offered to select New York Squads seeking "next level" content to grow students' interest, enthusiasm, and skill.
GR is an extended introduction to the foundations of electrical, robotic, and computer engineering. It's the ultimate first step for the budding engineer, curious technician, motivated tinkerer or robotics and electronics enthusiast. Over the course of these sequenced semester-long activities, Squad Members will cover topics like Understanding Circuits, Voltage and Current, and Basics of the Microprocessor. All GR Badge activities are hands-on and culminate with students designing and building their own invention.
NYC Pilot groups will cover GR's 10 Specialist Activities and work to complete prototypes as their culminating Badge Activity. During the course of their work, students and Coordinators will offer critical feedback to MOUSE in order to revise and improve components of the curriculum and materials with aim to complete a Network-wide Launch of this first Specialist Badge in the fall of 2010.
Special thanks to Angel Hernandez and Manhattan's ACCESS School for serving as the Garage Robotics Host Squad for GR's three Spring workshops.
Click here to check out all of the photos from the workshop.
High Schoolers: It's your turn to design future technologies!
On January 20th, 2010 JB Says
Ever wonder how new technologies are created?
Find out during MOUSE Corps LEGACY Workshops 1&2
During this 2-part Design & Prototype Workshop on Thursday February 4th AND Tuesday February 9th, global design firm IDEO will give you the tools to bring big ideas to life. These workshops will introduce you to the "user-centered" design process and help grow your work skills in all areas. If you're thinking about a career creating with technology: programming, digital media, web design - these workshops are 4 you!
From computer interfaces to cellphone apps to toothbrushes to pollution in India - IDEO has used 'human centered design' to create solutions for thousands of major corporations across the world (check out their client list).
For this 2-part series, our friends at IDEO will help you prototype a product that you will design yourself! These workshops are the kickoff to the MOUSE Corps Legacy Project - where you will work one-on-one with MOUSE & professional technology mentors on a project of your own creation.
We only have space for 20 MOUSE Squad students - so sign up now! Click here to register.
- WHAT: MOUSE Corps students join the pros at IDEO to learn Design and Prototyping.
- WHEN: Thursday, February 4th 4:00pm – 6:30pm
- WHERE: Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women - 283 ADAMS STREET, Brooklyn, on the corner of Johnson,
- WHO: Only High School MOUSE Squad students
- DIRECTIONS: Take the A/C/F trains to Jay St. Borough Hall, or the 2/3 to Borough Hall, or the M/R to Court Street/Borough Hall
- FOOD! We will be serving pizza and wings, so come hungry!
- Registration here.
MOUSE Corps Career Pathways Recap
On January 15th, 2010 JB Says
MOUSE Corps Career Pathways kicked off to an amazing start in January with four workshops preparing students to navigate the world of work and beyond. These workshops focused on the following themes:
- Resume Remixing: Students traveled in time to surface many of the professional experiences they didn't know they had and worked in teams to make the perfect resume!
- Cover Letter Coaching: Students transformed into the career representative for Lil' Wayne, Hilary Clinton, Queen Latifah and Lebron James!
- Who Wants a Millie: Students became contestants in the career etiquette and professionalism version of popular game show 'Who Want's to be a Millionaire'.
Not only did MOUSE Corps students have a good time, they gained knowledge and skills toward career readiness. Students that participate in Career Pathways workshops are eligible to attend Shadowships in the Spring and Internships in the Summer of this year.
A huge wave of appreciation goes to MOUSE Corporate partners, Sun Microsystems, MS&L and McGraw-Hill who provided meeting space at their respective offices as well as food and refreshments.
Want to know more about MOUSE Corps?
MOUSE Corps is an advanced program for NYC high school MOUSE Squad students. MOUSE Corps students gain professional experience and advanced technical skills through fun workshops, and get access to exclusive trips and events. Learn about MOUSE Corps here and check out the MOUSE Corps FAQ.
Next Up: Advanced Training through Legacy Projects in February. More info coming through the Wire soon.
