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2. Week 02

This week I worked on getting used to this documentation process.

Cooking Our Own Material

Gelatin Base + Used Coffee grounds

100ml of water 20g of gelatin/sodium alginate 8g of used coffee grounds 12ml of glycerin 2 Tbsp of vinegar

Put the gelatin and the organic waste in a pot, then add the water, integrate, and finally the glycerin. Stir and bring to the heat and add the vinegar. stir and put in a mold. The thickness of the material must be between 4 and 5mm.

Drying time for sheet biomaterials: it will depend on temperature and humidity. We will notice if when touching the material it feels at room temperature to the touch. It should not feel frui, this means that it should still continue its drying process in the mold… it should not be unmolded before complete drying as it will shrink and become rigid.

1. Have you considered sustainable practices in your teaching in the past? How? What aspects do you think should be improved in your own teaching environment?

I am still relatively new to teaching, but I have already seen several projects where recycled plastic was used to create filament, inspiring me to think about sustainability in my work. I try my best to use materials as efficiently as possible, repurposing what I can. For example, I’ve used wood from old cabinets at my house—wood that would have otherwise gone to the dump—to support projects in the lab. While these practices are a start, I’d like to create a more structured approach to material reuse and sustainability education, such as setting up a recycling station in the lab or incorporating sustainability lessons directly into project plans.

2. How might digital fabrication support sustainable practices?

Digital fabrication supports sustainable practices by enabling precise, on-demand production, reducing material waste, and facilitating the reuse of materials. For instance, by integrating local resources into projects, we can reduce the environmental footprint. My organization is reaching out to Panther Coffee and Starbucks to repurpose their coffee grounds with the intention of creating biodegradable cups or coffee mug sleeves. Collaborating with the community and businesses not only promotes sustainability but also strengthens ties with local stakeholders and inspires students with real-world applications of sustainability principles.

Actions we can take include building partnerships with companies that produce byproducts, educating students about the environmental impact of their projects, and designing initiatives that leverage materials like recycled plastic or organic waste in fabrication. These collaborative approaches can amplify the impact of sustainable practices through the digital fabrication ecosystem.

3. Do you think your school is ready for a change in mindset? Why?

Yes, I believe the community center is ready for a change in mindset, especially since sustainable practices can provide valuable opportunities for the students. By integrating sustainability into our programs, we can create projects that are both educational and enjoyable for them, fostering creativity and environmental awareness.

Moreover, adopting sustainable practices could help the center reduce waste, such as finding ways to repurpose food waste instead of discarding it. This shift in mindset benefits everyone: students gain hands-on experience with sustainability, and the center operates more efficiently and responsibly.

4. How would you structure training for teachers?

Training would need to be hands-on, engaging, and practical:

Introductory Workshop: Highlight the “why” behind sustainability and its importance in education. Showcase examples like the coffee leather project. Skill Building: Teach teachers to use digital fabrication tools with a sustainability focus, such as designing with recycled materials. Project Design: Collaboratively brainstorm and develop projects that blend subject areas like science, art, and social studies with sustainable practices. Follow-Up Support: Provide resources, guides, and continuous mentoring to ensure they feel confident integrating these ideas into their classrooms.

Code Example

Use the three backticks to separate code.

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);   // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);                       // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);    // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);                       // wait for a second
}

sample photo

** OR ** using HTML

sample photo
Example image with caption

Example video

From Vimeo

Sound Waves from George Gally (Radarboy) on Vimeo.

From Youtube

Example Table

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Text Text Text

You may also embed HTML in your markdown files