Project:Young Hackspace/YH-2

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Wood working!

We're coordinating this with a group of home schooling parents. Joy's initial suggestion was: let the kids build little sculptures from scrap wood. I really like the simplicity of this, and it gives us ample opportunity to teach the basics: hammer & nails, how to use a saw, wood glue, glue guns, ...

Links:

Brief

We're offering two workshops in parallel: a woodworking workshop, and a printmaking workshop.

The goal of the woodworking workshop is to build wood sculptures out of found materials, and to learn various tools and techniques in the process. We will start with an introduction of the most useful basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, sandpaper, rasp, saw, chisel, ...), explain what can go wrong when using those tools, and what to pay attention to when using them; and then give you the tools to work freely on your own design. While we're starting with a very basic premise we're hoping that the open-endedness of this task will surface some very creative designs...

We ask that you bring any materials you would like to use for your sculpture: found wood, old plastic containers, textiles, string, ... While we do have wood and other materials at the Hackspace we'd rather have you learn about the logistics of finding, assessing and transporting your own raw materials as preparation for this event. (Get in touch if you're looking for ideas about where to find materials; or discuss with the other families.)

For safety reasons this workshop is restricted to older children/teenagers. We want you to work freely, but we ask that all younger participants are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can ensure their safety; while we're very happy to provide guidance we can't provide enough supervision to take care of every participant all the time.


The goal of the printmaking workshop is to make colour prints from found materials, and to learn various tools and techniques in the process. We will start with an introduction to the process: glue materials to a surface (string, leaves, sand, ...), paint it once it's dry, cover with paper or cloth and apply pressure; then we will let you prepare your own prints, and provide guidance and assistance. We can provide a bookbinding press if needed. While we're starting with a very basic premise we're hoping that the open-endedness of this task will surface some very creative designs...

We ask that you bring any materials you would like to use for your print: paint, textiles, paper, string, leaves, sand, wire mesh, pieces of plastic, ... While we do have access to quite a few of these materials at the Hackspace we'd rather have you learn about the logistics of finding, assessing and transporting your own raw materials as preparation for this event. (Get in touch if you're looking for ideas about where to find materials; or discuss with the other families.)

This workshop is suitable for all ages; if you're too young to make your own print then you can ask the other kids or parents to help you out.


Upfront Preparation

For us:

  • Get feedback/ideas from LHS members: things to make
  • Find good sources of scrap wood

For participants:

  • Bring scrap wood. (This will give the kids some experience in logistics: where to find materials, how to transport them, etc.)
  • Bring your own tools if you have them (hammers, pliers, ... nothing big/electronic pls), make sure you label them so they don't let lost
    • If we find any unlabelled tools after the day we'll assume they belong to the Hackspace

Preparation for the day

  • Stickers/labels for people's own tools (so they don't get lost)
  • Collect tools the kids can use
    • Hammers & nails
    • Screws & screwdrivers
    • Glue guns & glue sticks
    • Saws (for older kids only)
  • Prepare the Quiet Room, and the workshop area (work benches) for older kids
  • And the usual checklist

Project Suggestions

Should be simple enough that it can be built in 1-2h.

  • Wood sculptures from scrap wood
  • Dylan Beattie's Project:OneStringGuitar
  • Sam K suggests: woodcut printmaking (he also offers his help)
  • ...