ACU’s Science for Elementary Teachers Class (Chem 203) partnered with the Maker Lab to create an electricity project that could be used in the elementary school classroom. In an effort to create their projects and craft their game pieces, students learned Adobe Illustrator and Tinker Cad, as well as how to use the laser cutter and 3D printer.
The two week collaboration between Gary Mabry, Chemistry Instructor, and Darren Wilson, Maker Lab Coordinator facilitated fundamental principles of chemistry, such as experiments and demonstrations. Students worked in small groups to develop science-processing skills and utilized a variety of resources to teach science in the elementary school.
The electricity project included two elements – construct an electricity game project then demonstrate its use and various components that make it work.
“It’s always exciting to work with a new group of students on a project,” commented Maker Lab Coordinator Darren Wilson. “Gary’s students came in with some great ideas for circuits games and they picked up on the design software and the Maker Lab tools very quickly. It’s amazing to watch the process students go through to transform their idea into a completed, working piece.”
Gary Mabry comments, “Darren Wilson is an incredible asset to the Maker Lab and to ACU. He was helpful in teaching the students how to use Maker Lab tools and equipment, and inspired the students to be creative yet practical in their designs. This was a challenging hands on project; my students did an outstanding job thanks to Mr. Wilson.”