ParentBots and their Robot Masters, living in harmony

Dr. Techniko recently posted a really great way to introduce kids to programming.  By having the children’s parents act like the robots and giving the children a “Robot Language Dictionary” of simple action commands, the children can write down instructions for their robots to carry out.  This is a fantastic way to teach kids planning, creative and logical thinking, and problem solving.  One of the amazing things about Dr. Techniko’s write-up is his descriptions of how the children will naturally develop and discovery certain programming practices such as parametrization, composition, abstraction, and testing all on their own!

If you want to try this out for yourself, Dr. Techniko has made the instructions and entire “Robot Language Dictionary” free to download!

We’ve got a great thing happening on Twitter right now. For anyone interested in attending the TEDxNYED conference, we’re giving away two tickets ($100 value) to the best two answers to the question,

How will 3D printing change the world?

Here’s some info on the event.

TEDxNYED is independently organized by New York educators. At TEDxNYED, live speakers and TED Talk videos combine to spark deep discussion and connections. TEDxNYED presenters are invited to share their insights and inspire conversations about the future of education. Attendees of the conference participate via networking sessions where they educate one another and, in the spirit of TED, help spread these ideas.

TEDxNYED is operating under license from TED, organizers of the immensely popular TED Conference, an annual event where some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TED has created TEDx, a program of local, organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

We’ll pick two winners from all the submissions and give each of them a ticket to attend the TEDx event in New York City.

Where Museum of the Moving Image
36-01 35 Avenue (at 37 Street)
Astoria, NY 11106

When April 28, 2012

In order to participate in our giveaway, you have to drop us a tweet. Tell us how 3D printing will change the world in 140 characters or less. Mention us with @makerbot and be sure to hashtag #3DPrinting so we can find your tweet and put you in the running.

UPDATE: These tweets are being accepted until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 23. Right around the corner, so share your thoughts with us now!

Got a couple things for you to mark down if you’re in Western Canada or New York City.

All aboard!

Tomorrow and Sunday, April 21-22, you can catch The Replicator at Supertrain 2012 in Calgary. The Supertrain conference is “Canada’s biggest and best annual train show”. The first time I thought about trains in the context of MakerBotting was Episode 6 of MakerBot TV Season 2 a couple weeks ago. Steve Conine printed some awesome model train tracks that you can see in the video.

The Supertrain event will be a really fun chance to see The Replicator in a creative but challenging hobby environment. Our distributor Greg Thorstad will be on hand to answer questions about the technology, and he’s super knowledgeable about 3D printing and our products. Go check this out, or let your friends in the area know about the cool opportunity.

MakerBot Education @ Tekserve

In case you missed our post about it on Tuesday, we have a series of classes going on at Tekserve in New York City, taught by one of our resident MakerBot Educators, Liz Arum. The first session happened yesterday, and we have two more left.

Those in attendance will get a good rundown of MakerBotting: how to incorporate 3D modelling and 3D printing into your lifestyle, regardless of your skill level.

Anyone who attended the class yesterday will have priority status for next week’s class. Follow the link below to reserve your spot!

Tekserve – Seminar Room
119 W 23rd Street
NY, NY 10011
212-929-3645

Thursday, April 26th, 6:30pm – 8pm
Tuesday, May 8th, 6:30pm – 8pm

Laptop and 3-button extra mouse required.

Click here to RSVP.

It's sonic! See?!

It’s always exciting to see science following in the footsteps of science fiction and this is no exception.  But, I have to admit, I almost¹ lost my mind when I read this post announcing that scientists at the University of Dundee have invented what they are actually referring to as a sonic screwdriver that actually moves physical objects remotely by use of sonic waves.²  Here’s a short video of it in action, levitating an object.

Doctor Who and his trusty tool, the sonic screwdriver, have been a staple of science fiction since it’s arrival in 1963.  The sonic screwdriver, a harmless non-lethal tool/deterrent,  is the perfect accessory for Doctor Who, a show that emphasizes the positive aspects of science fiction, intellect and romance, over brute force and cynicism. ³

Now, if the real-life sonic screwdriver is still a little too early in it’s development for you, do not be discouraged.  Travis Goodspeed has been working on an open source project called a GoodFET – referred to as a “the sonic screwdriver of reverse engineering.”  And, with a little 3D printing help, you can even create an awesome sonic screwdriver enclosure for it!

1. Aaaaaalllll-most! [↩]
2. Photo courtesy of Spielbrick Films [↩]
3. I’m sorry.  That video is just too catchy and too perfect a short synopsis of the show to not post. [↩]