DIY TechSploration Notes
CLiC 2015 Grand Junction, CO
Scratch from MIT
http://scratch.mit.edu/
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Click on the Try It Out button (over the orange cat).
Explore by clicking See Examples to see projects already created by other users.
Start thinking of projects you could work on with your younger patrons!
Practice! Play! There are so many options when using Scratch! Plus, the more
you use it, the more you can promote fun features to your patrons.
Using Word for Lego Stories
Use Legos to create the story, teach how to sequence a story
1. Take a picture of the creation (cell phone, digital camera, etc.)
2. Upload to the computer and create a Word document!
3. Insert pictures, text boxes, shapes for a conversation balloon, a background, etc.
4. Print and/or email!
Please See the document of my screenshots for specific directions.
*Comments regarding using photos from online resources:
Stock photography is all over the place on the Web. If you’re looking for an image of
just about anything, you’re bound to find that professional, high-quality photo from
various online distributors and agencies, like Getty Images, Corbis, iStockphoto, or
Shutterstock.
However, the downside is that all those photos are going to cost you. It’s important to
understand the term “royalty-free” (RF) for those websites. RF images are not in the
public domain, nor are they free to use without purchasing a license.
Luckily, there are plenty of websites for copyright free images that won’t require you to
dig into your pockets.
Here are some examples:
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
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Freerange - www.freerangestock.com
Once you register for a free membership at Freerange, thousands of highresolution stock photos will be at your fingertips at no cost. All of the website’s
images can be used for personal or commercial projects.
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Stockvault – www.stockvault.net
With over 13,000 free copyright free photos, Stockvault connects designers and
photographers. The photo sharing website offers all of its images for absolutely
free personal or non-commercial use.
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Flickr – www.flickr.com
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, you may want to actually
try Flickr. The popular image hosting website has millions of images from its
users who have offered their work under a Creative Commons (CC) License. All
you have to do is simply pay close attention to the type of licenses each image
falls under to use it appropriately.
More on Online Resources for Images:
http://www.stockphotorights.com/faq/
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Online Digital Art for FREE!
1. Art Pad - A great painting site that records a picture while it's created to create a
time lapse effect.
2. Slimber - An excellent site for drawing & painting with some beautiful examples.
3. Bomomo - A fun site where users can create unique pictures with different
templates (ie, Pixie).
4. Doink - A great site for creating animated art with a Web 2.0 flare.
5. Odosketch - A wonderful site for creating beautiful sketches with colored pencils.
6. Sketchpad - Create excellent paintings and drawings with this cool site. Many styles,
effects and gradients for users to choose.
7. Sumo Paint - One of the most popular digital art creators on the web, very similar
to Photoshop.
8. Live Brush - A wonderful free application that lets users create some beautiful
designs. Includes a gallery of examples to view, too.
9. Crayola Digi-Color A very user friendly site for kids.
10. Voice Draw - A unique site that lets users create art with their voice/sound.
See more at:
http://www.techlearning.com/default.aspx?tabid=67&entryid=584#sthash.d329Occ8.dp
uf
For the class using iPads, we used these apps:
o Tayasui Sketches
o Drawing Desk
o MOMA Art Lab
o Spray Can
Ideas for Online Digital Art:
 Provide time for students to really get the hang of digital art
 Create a Program or Class using online digital art resources
 Kids Teaching Kids: Have older students show younger students a "how-to"
opportunity
 Create a Contest (Category, Online Digital Art) for Youth to vote for Youth at the
library!
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Ideas for Online Digital Art:
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Provide time for students to really get the hang of digital art
Create a Program or Class using online digital art resources
Kids Teaching Kids: Have older students show younger students a "how-to"
opportunity
Create a Contest (Category, Online Digital Art) for Youth to vote for Youth at the
library!
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Little Bits v. STEAM Projects
Extra Resources for STEM/STEAM/STREAM (Add the Reading!)
STEM Contests
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Junior FIRST® LEGO® League: Are you a LEGO® fiend? Then this is the contest
for you. You’ll use LEGO® bricks to design and build a moving model; then,
you’ll assemble a Show Me poster to showcase your solution. For kids age 6 to 9.
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NSBE KidZone Elementary Science Olympiad: Collect a team and test your
science skills in 18 different events at the National Society of Black Engineers
(NSBE) National Convention. Open to grades three to five. Those in kindergarten
through second grade compete in a non-competitive league.
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Perennial Math Tournaments: A virtual math tournament (via videoconferencing)
for both teams and individuals.
Open to grades three to eight.
sGreat STEM Websites:
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pbskids.org
funology.com
kids.gov
spaceplace.nasa.gov
kids.nationalgeographic.com
weatherwizkids.com
techrocket.com
Websites like girlstart.com work well for many ideas and resources for STEM. This
website is created to help empower girls in science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM). Here you will find free Girlstart curriculum, formal and informal STEM best
practices resources, effective messaging tips, collaboration opportunities and more.
Ideas "In-House:"
Create a "Found Materials" Donation of materials to use for STEM/STEAM projects, such
as:
 Building blocks (Duplos, Legos, etc.)
 Art materials (crayons, colored pencils, etc.)
 Items found at a garage sale to create a "robot"
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
 Use your imagination!
Create a STEM or STEAM/STREAM Club at your school or library! Create STEM/STEAM
programs and partner with educators to collaborate between libraries and schools!
Have a STEM or STEAM/STREAM area dedicated in your library so parents and children
know where to find it.
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Digital Media Lab v. Green Screen Sheet & Digital Resource
Instead of a Media Lab with a green screen, try a green screen sheet.
Use a digital camera, a cell phone or other digital resource to take a video or picture to
upload on the computer.
 Some of our branches bought 5-6 feet of green fabric in order to make a "green
screen." They attached the fabric with duct tape to a pole so that it can be
attached to a wall. You can put the sheet anywhere and take a picture! Then,
upload the picture to a device.
*A note about lighting: Make sure to choose an area that either has a lot of natural
light, or you find lamps and/or specialized lights so not to create shadows.
**It is best to keep the lights farther away from the person rather than close up. Close
up creates more shadows. -- From a staff member/theater tech crew member
Choose a Green Screen Editor like:
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iMovie (free with Mac computers)
Final Cut Pro X ($299.99)
Photoshop Elements ($104.99 for photos & videos)
Photoshop - (From $29.99/month)
Cheaper Ideas for editing Green Screen
Apps like:
 Do Ink - $2.99 and
 Veescope Live Full- $2.99
Free Apps for Videos:
 Video Star
 Action Movie
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Makerspace "Lab" v. Makerspace Projects
Instead of an official "Lab" using a new room/rebranded room, try using a meeting
room where you normally have programs. Or, depending on your library, create a
“Makerspace” area.
You're probably already involved in "Makerspace" ideas and projects, but you don't call
them that!
Do you offer:
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Sewing/Knitting Classes?
Beads/Jewelry Classes?
DIY Crafts?
Upcycling/Repurposing Classes?
Then you're already providing "Makerspace" projects!
Don't limit your creativity to crafts!
Here are some examples of "Makerspace" projects:
o Lauren’s Pinterest Makerspace Board:
https://www.pinterest.com/williamslrw/makerspace-steam-and-studio-programideas/
o Passive Poetry (Use words cut-out from magazines)
o Blackout Poetry (Use Newspapers and black markers
http://newspaperblackout.com/)
o Duct Tape Mania
(https://www.pinterest.com/source/librarymakers.blogspot.com/)
o LEGO Poetry (http://www.mrs-lodges-library.com/centers/)
o Community Projects (100 Cup Structure Work together, passerby participants
http://librarylearners.com/found-fridaylibrary-centers/)
o STEM Projects
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
ALD Makerspace Programs – Trimester for 2015
Sewing for Beginners Series - This will be a 6 part series that will meet twice a month.
Description: Take the mystery out of sewing. Join us in the Castlewood Makerspace for a
six-part series and learn the basic skills you need to get started. Don’t have machine?
That’s okay, we’ll be learning on our two new machines in the space.
Audience: Teens, Adults
Maximum Registration: 10
Location: CW Makerspace
Supply Budget Involved
Dates:
Thursday, June 11, 7-8pm - Part 1: Getting to know the Machine
Thursday, June 25, 7-8pm - Part 2: Sewing 101 - Tools & Practice (basic seams and
pressing)
Supplies needed:
 fabric (I have fabric to donate/gc), fabric pins (#2 boxes) , seam gauge (#4), seam
ripper (already in space), pin cushion (#2), steam iron (in the space), ironing board
(in the space), thread snipping scissors, tailor’s chalk, marking pens (already in
space), clear plastic ruler (#2), pinking shears
Thursday, July 9, 7-8pm - Part 3: Sewing Patterns Decoded
Supplies needed:
 sewing pattern (Gloria can bring in a few patterns for use) (Cheap project pattern? $8.75 example tote bag), fabric, fabric marker (already in space), pins (already in
space), tracing paper and tracing wheel (#2 of each)
*** Perhaps we can add to the program description- bring a pattern for practice?
Thursday, July 23, 7-8pm - Part 4: Fabric Prepping & Construction
Supplies needed:
 steam iron, ironing board, pins (already in space), tracing paper and tracing wheel,
Thursday, August 13, 7-8pm - Part 5: Hems
Supplies needed:
 steam iron, ironing board, pins( already in space), scissors ( already in space),
tailor’s chalk or marking pens (already in space)
Thursday, August 27, 7-8pm - Part 6: Sewing Help Night - Bring in a current project or
question about a technique that you find tricky.
Supplies needed:
 steam iron, ironing board, sewing supplies in space
 No added cost involved.
Total Estimate Cost: $154.56 w/free shipping if purchased through Amazon.com.
*** I recommend adding a couple sewing books to the makerspace. Books with step-by-step
photo instructions to learn techniques of sewing like buttonholes, inserting zippers, darts,
pockets, sewing elastic, adding interface, sewing collars, etc. I am willing to take a field trip
to Fancy Tiger to provide title suggestions
 Example: Singer Complete Photo Guide to Sewing
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Repurpose Your Saturdays - An ongoing series on the 2nd Saturday of each month that
taps into the repurpose/recycle sustainability movement. Participants will be encouraged to
bring items they own or thrift store purchases to repurpose.
Description: Bring your tattered stuff and thrift store finds and upcycle them into chic and
sleek new treasures.
Audience: Teens, Adults
Maximum Registration: 15
Location: CW Makerspace
Supply Budget Involved
Dates:
Saturday, May 9, 2-4pm - Bleach It On Purpose: Bring an old item of clothing to make new
again with bleach. Use a stencil from the laser cutter or come up with your own fantastic
design.
Supplies needed:
 Bleach ($3 gallon, 3 gallons) - bleach pens ($3 a piece OR we can craft them
w/cornstarch, bleach & empty squeeze bottles) - spray bottles ($7 for 3 bottles) bucket ($5)- disposable gloves ($8 for 100ct vinyl gloves), cardboard for stencils
(start saving)
 Estimated total cost: $30ish
Saturday, June 13, 2-4pm - Rethink Recycling: Bottles & Cans - Cut it, paint it, punch it,
love it! Recycling bin overflowing? Bring your glass bottles and cans and find uses for them
that you’ve never imagined…unless you’ve been on Pinterest.
Supplies needed:
 Small candles ($6 for 6 votives) - lighter ($3 for a stick lighter) - something to score
the glass - fine grained sandpaper ($5 for 9”x11”) - mallets (already in space)
 Suggested purchases for the Maker Space: metal stamps ($12 or $22 - linked
below) and awl ($7) - glass cutter/scorers (linked below)
 Estimated total cost: $32 w/out metal stamps & glass cutter/scorer
Saturday, July 11, 2-4pm - Re-Fab Cutlery: Silverware is one of the most affordable thrift
store finds and can be used for everything from art to jewelry to functional household items.
Bring your utensils for a fabulous makeover.
Supplies needed:
 Silverware to have on hand (Spoons and forks only - thrift store purchase - $.10 from
Goodwill or $.29 from ARC; 50 pieces) - heat guns (already in space) - scrap wood
(free from Catherine!) - drill and drill bits (already in space) - metal stamps (if
purchased) - vice (if purchased)
 Estimated total cost: $5
Saturday, August 8, 2-4pm - Tech-cessories: Give your defunct tech new life and create
geek chic accessories for your home, work, or wardrobe.
Supplies needed:
 Multipurpose adhesive ($8 per bottle; 2 bottles) - ring blanks ($10 plus $2.75
shipping for 30; that Etsy vendor sells lots, Amazon has them too, but low quantities)
- bangles and more bangles ($29 plus shipping; I pulled those from 3 different
vendors and any should work, we should have about 50 bangles total) - pliers (in the
space) - shears (already in space), jewelry wire ($6.50) - More to come
 Estimated Total Cost: $57.75 - planning still in process, this number may change
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Pinbusters: Mythbusting Pinterest - Probable recurring program
Description: Been dying to find out if that Pinterest Hack really works? Join us as we
uncover the truth with gleeful curiosity. Bonus points for the biggest fail of the evening
(safety glasses supplied.)
Audience: Teens, Adults
Maximum Registration: 15
Location: CW Makerspace
Supply Budget Involved
Date: Thursday, July 16, 7-8pm
Supplies needed:
 Mountain Dew ($1 per 20 oz, need 1) - Hydrogen Peroxide ($3) - Baking Soda ($2) Rubber Bands (district owns) - Balloons ($4 for 1 pack) - Glow Sticks ($8 or cheaper
ones from wherever, need at least 5) - Vinegar ($2) - Cocoa Powder ($3 cheapest) Lotion (one of us provide?) - Drinking Straws ($5) - Small Canvas ($10.95 for 12
5x7) - Crayons (Bridget and Catherine can provide)
 Estimated total cost: $38.95
Telephone Microphones
Description: Repurpose your old telephone into a functioning microphone.
Audience: Teens, Adults
Maximum Registration: 7
Location: CW Makerspace
Supply Budget Involved
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2-3pm
Supplies needed:
 Landline Phones (quantity 8) each phone is $10 from Amazon, $80 all together
 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IJINF98/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?qid=1425924641&
sr=8-17&pi=SL75&keywords=handset - Check thrift stores
 ¼” mono jacks (quantity 8) $25 for 20 jacks
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003HLW14W/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr2_2?qid=14259
25541&sr=8-2-fkmr2&pi=SL75&keywords=gls+1%2F4%22+input+jack
 Hookup wire, http://www.radioshack.com/hookup-wire $8.49 for 75 ft.
 soldering iron; solder; screwdriver; drill (already in space)
Estimated cost: $113.49
Tools to Suggest For Permanent Use in the Space
Dremel Specialty Bits
 Like this or this and these!
Leather & Metal Stamps
 Alphabets & Numbers like this or this
 Awl - for metal and wood, good to use with mallets
Electric Sander
 Like this or this
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us
Precision Exacto knives
 Like this set or this one
Glass Scorer/Bottle Cutter
 Asking Cameron
 Maybe this one
Vice
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Ask B&G guys for good brand
Doming Block & Punches
 Similar to this one
 May be cheaper at craft store
Lauren Graham Youth Services Librarian Arapahoe Library District lgraham@ald.lib.co.us