2. Week 02

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 as part of the curriculum.

2. How might digital fabrication support sustainable practices? When using Digital Fabrication what actions you can take to 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 local companies that produce byproducts, educating students about the environmental impact of their projects. These approaches can hopefully change and highlight the impact of sustainable practices and the potential of incorporating digital fabrication.

3. Do you think your school is ready for a change in mindset? Why? How can you get support from other stakeholders? How would you structure training for teachers?

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, we are centrally located in the farmland of South Florida (Homestead) and adopting sustainable practices could not only help the center but the community farmers nearby. Finding ways to repurpose food waste as fertilizer or leather instead of discarding it are just some examples.

Training for teachers would need to be hands-on and practical. I think community engagement helps illustrate the importance of “why” and having a cohort of teachers who can work collaboratively to develop projects that blend subject areas with all the tools dispensible at the FabLab will only foster innovation among the students for which the lesson plans are intended. I also think follow-up support is crucial in providing resources and continual learning for the teachers to evolve and grow both personally and in their skills.

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