CITI: Make Program

Introducing CITI: Make! Create, Invent, Tinker, Inspire: Make is a program to bring making and the "Maker Movement" to schools.

The idea is to teach middle school kids STEM concepts, not in a traditional class room setting, but in a Maker setting, with learning by doing and exploring. These lessons are interspersed with slides and videos, questioning and commentary based on real-life situations, events and objects. This approach has been successfully used in our Civil Air Patrol squadron in teaching CAP cadets the last 3 years, and I want to take this idea to the school setting, and pilot it as an after-school program for about 90 minutes, once a month. We will have 3 sessions in the Fall and 3 in the spring. The supplies for each session are inexpensive, and will cost on an average of less than $3 per person per session. The kids get to take home their creation, and be inspired by something they learned or built, going on to have a passion for some area of STEM that they learn.  Lesson and Activity plans will be produced for each session, and can be made available online and as a kit for other schools/groups to use to replicate this “CITI: Maker” program.

 


We are undergoing our "beta testing" during the 2015 spring semester, serving as an official Akron After-School (AAS) enrichment program for 4-6th graders at the Seiberling CLC in Akron Public Schools. CITI: Make is scheduled to run for 10 sessions once a week. At this time, we're at the halfway point, and some of our completed and planned projects are posted below.

Week 1
Introduction to Robotics -- BrushBots

Students learned what is a robot, what basic parts are there in every robot, and what they're used for. They explored the "3 D's of Robotics"--dirty, dull, and dangerous--what robots are needed to do. As an activity, students built toothbrush robots "BrushBots" and raced them.
  
Week 2
The Essence of Life -- Strawberry DNA Extraction

Students learned what is DNA, and were introduced to basic principles of genetics. They explored the structure of DNA, and their contributions to cellular life. As an activity, students extracted DNA strands from strawberries using household products like soap, salt, and rubbing alcohol.

Week 3
Projectiles -- Mini-Crossbows

Students learned the physics principles of catapults, trebuchets, and other projectile weapons. They explored car-throwing trebuchets and other DIY Maker projectile projects. For an activity, students built mini-crossbows with dowels, clothespins, and rubber bands.

Week 4
Motion -- Balloon-powered Cars

Students learned Newton's laws of motion, and other physics principles like friction, and speed versus distance. They explored aerodynamics and optimum vehicle design. As an activity, students built balloon-powered cars using household materials, like cardboard, drinking straws, and skewers.  

Week 5
Flight -- Paper Airplanes

Students learned the 4 forces of flight, propulsion, and aircraft control. They explored parts of an airplane and wing principles like Bernoulli effect. As an activity, students folded 3 different types of paper airplanes, including an extra-large plane.