The Mind's Eye & 3 Connections - Part 1
In my last Blog Post I discussed the Maker Process / Maker Attitude as it related to three lectures that I attended in October 2016. As I mentioned in the post, all of these lectures got me thinking about one’s Mind’s Eye. To continue this discussion further, I will be drawing on 3 connection points in a 3 Part Blog Series (November, December and January)
First, you may be asking, “what exactly is the Mind’s Eye?” By definition, this is the ability for the mind to see things without using our eyes. There is a great 9/25/2008 Encyclopedia Blog Post that explains the concept in more depth if you are interested.
A classic example that I use when talking about the Mind's Eye is a famous image created R. C. James.
Did you “spot” it? While looking at the image, your mind may have put spots together to “see” a dalmatian dog.
The 3 Connections Points that I will be making to the Mind's Eye are:
Visual language - 3D printing / 3D visualization & Virtual Reality
Bloom’s Taxonomy - multidisciplinary learning
Third Place/Space - a place to pause
On the first topic of Visual Language, one needs to develop the skills to visualize. With the growth of 3D Printing and VR Goggles our society is becoming more focused on the using and creating 3D objects. What used to be a specialized area for design professionals and artists is now becoming mainstream. Taking a simple Technical Drawing class would be helpful. Courses such as these help you to understand the 3 axes of space for Cartesian Coordinates. I say 3, but in reality one should be thinking in 6 axes - because of the positive and negative directions of X,Y and Z from a point of origin. Those are the main ones, but students tend to forget the importance of an origin. From that point there are both positive and negative directions.
This gets into Right Hand and Left Hand Rules, which are important in describing orientation to other objects. As we create 3D objects, inhabit Virtual Space through Oculus Rift, and ultimately evolve towards space traveling, this type of understanding is critical.
In the Design Fields, particularly in Engineering, the Right Hand Rule is critical when using objects with threads, such as bolts or screws. If you are asking what is the difference between bolts and screws, this Quora Article will help to clarify the issue.
I am reviewing all of this because it is important if one want's to master visualization, whether it is in the mind, or created by drawing or making. From this point, one can better understand the Typical 6 Projected Views: Front, Top and Right Side, Left Side, Back, and Bottom as shown below. Any 3D object can be described by these views and some objects, such as a cylinder (a Primitive Solid), could be described in just two views: Top and Side.
In the December Blog Post, I'll be talking about the 2nd Connection Point of Bloom's Taxonomy. This is a system of categories for educational objectives developed in 1956 by Benjamin Bloom. Educators usually talk about these extensively as they relate to classroom learning, moving from a cursory understanding of a subject to being very proficient and/or knowledgable about a subject.
STEAM Making @ Camp Curtin Academy Middle School
SCIENCE:
Trout in the Classroom
The Trout Eggs have hatched and are progressing from the Alevin (pronounced Al-Ah-Vin) to the Fry stage. Students are helping to maintain the tank and keeping track of the fish. Soon they will need regular feeding as they grow into the Fingering stage over the Winter months. You can find out more about Trout in the Classroom through this link.
TECHNOLOGY:
Robotics Club
On Wednesday 11/30 we'll have the final MLK Robotics Mini Camp / Workshop for the year. Community Coach Glenn Williams will be discussing the skills of problem solving through trouble shooting and how the robots move. Glenn teaches at Harrisburg University and is working on a January robotics build event that pairs Middle School Students at Camp Curtin Academy and Marshall Math and Science with SciTech and Harrisburg University Students.
This will tie in well with the First Tech Challenge State Championship, which will happen on February 25th, 2017 at John Harris High School. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit this FTC Link.
ARTS:
AV Studio Morning Broadcasting
The Camp Curtin News Network is doing well with 8 active students as the "AV Crew." Students are given the opportunity to swap out roles each day so that everyone develops a working knowledge of how to use the equipment. Tasks such as scripted editing, image research, image creating/editing, video segment development, and all the equipment setup for computers, microphones, lighting, and the camera are all done by 7th and 8th grade students. The goal for the spring is to move to more film editing and story creation of activities in the school. The students started this whenever they film the monthly Sports Challenges with Teachers and Staff.
STEAM Making @ SciTech High School
TECHNOLOGY:
Scibots Robotics Team
November was an exciting time for the SciBots robotics team. On Saturday 11/19, five students and two faculty members (Robert Stepps, Sunada Roberts) and I traveled to Ambler PA for the Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifying Tournament at the Wissahickon Middle School. Team 3305 placed 26th out of 32 teams. Baxter, Huey, DJ, Hamza, and Denny realized that they need to rework their scoring approach. Everyone had a good time talking with other teams in the atmosphere of Gracious Professionalism.
They only have 18 WORKING DAYS (38 actual days) until the January, 7th Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Qualifying Tournament at Oxford Area High School. GO TEAM. And remember that we can see them locally on Saturday, February 25th for the Pennsylvania State FTC Championship at John Harris High School. We hope to see you there. If you would like to volunteer, please register with FTC at this FTC link.
