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Week 10

Assignments

Task :This week you would need to create a mold to produce a biomaterial. You have two steps: 1.Create the mold in acrylic using the laser cutter. 2.Together with your local instructor and colleagues cook your own material and pour it into your molds.

Process

  • Preparation WATER:100 mL (7 Tbsp) HONEY:12.5g(2 Tsp) AGAR:15 g (7 Tsp) WINTERGREEN OIL:3drops
  • Cook(MIX UNTIL THICK~ 3 minutes) COFFEE30 g (5 Tbsp)
  • Challenges and solutions After preparing the materials, I followed the instructions from the video to start making the coffee cup. Firstly, dry the coffee grounds, then add water, honey, glycerin, etc. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and then let them dry. During the production process, I felt that I was not familiar with controlling the weight of the materials and using various tools. I couldn’t really master the proportions well. The color produced was still too dark and there was too much coffee residue. The process of making such biological materials is quite interesting. When it comes to the selection of molds, there are also many considerations. It feels like I could design my own mold for a cup next time.

Reflection

  • Have you considered sustainable practices in your teaching in the pasts? How? What aspects do you think should be improved in your own teaching environment? Yes. For sure. During past teaching observation, I saw our team teachers integrated sustainability by embedding it in curricula .for instance,they were analyzing daily supply carbon footprints and normalizing green classroom behaviors (paperless teaching, waste sorting, upcycling workshops for waste materials). About the improvements for the teaching environment: Firstly, we can optimize a standardized circulation system for leftover teaching materials (e.g., 3D printing filaments).Secondly, we will start some sustainable project for kids , inspiring their ideas and co-creating some new ideas.

  • How Digital Fabrication might support sustainable practices? When using Digital Fabrication what actions you can take to support sustainable practices. There are two aspects I can think of supporting sustainable practice.Precision material cutting minimizes waste compararing with traditional manufacturing. The other is customizable designs enable localized sustainable solutions (e.g., rainwater filters, small compost bins).When using DF to support sustainable practice. I Use eco-friendly materials (PLA filaments, recycled cardboard/bamboo) to do school project. Pay more about attention about the materials we use instead of wasting.

  • How could you integrate both culturally reflective learning and digital fabrication in your environment? Could you come up with some project ideas using digital fabrication in which cultural diversity of students is highlighted? The core approach is to use DF as a tool to explore, preserve and innovate students’ cultural heritage, linking traditional wisdom with sustainable design. For project idears, we thought about multicultural Sustainable Public Art: Cross-cultural teams integrate traditional patterns (paper-cuts, tribal totems) into DF-designed public installations (benches, flower racks) made from recycled materials, then install them in the community.

Tools

  • https://www.tinkercad.com/Tools
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG5ODTNfq14
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1xttV2KImk
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBcTWQCWn0E