Abstract

Science Makers is a monthly event to discuss and build low-cost, DIY and open hardware for science and education.

Open source hardware allows and promotes building and remixing of devices through sharing designs and code. Combined with new manufacturing and fabrication technologies like 3D-printing open hardware has great potential to boost hands-on learning and scientific experimentation in STEM education. Not only are solutions lower cost but they are also customisable and no longer a black box.

We’ll hear from some projects focused on open hardware and education from schools through to universities.

12:00 – Arrival and coffee

12:15 – Presentations and demos

• Carlos Lugo on open hardware for plant electrophysiology in secondary schools

• Matt Little from the Curious Electric Company on environmental and educational electronics kits for all ages

• Amy Lai on OpenAFM – an open atomic force microscope built by students at UCL and Tshingua University for use in schools.

13:30 – Pizza (£4 suggested donation)

14:30 – Making!

We will try to build some of the educational kits, the following are guaranteed projects:

• Plant electrophysiology boards

• Ultrasonic bat sensor

You are welcome to tell us about your own ideas and projects or bring something to build!