DESCRIPTION: Microbit, littleBits, coding, simple machines, electronics, and smart DIY sensors! How would you hack these creative technologies to build your own smart robots and gadgets for the underwater world, a secret oasis, or the tiniest bug on the planet? The Hacking Smart Robots consists of a series of hands-on projects focused on designing and testing several smart gadgets, robots, and machines that can support youth to better learn, play, and invent with technology. Participants will learn the fundamentals in coding, electronics, and fabrication techniques while working with the coding language and tools that are compatible with their level of expertise. They make their robots wave with pistons, slide with levers, spin with cam twisters, move with air, paint with pendulums, jump with elastic forces, pick up things with pulleys, move things up and down with pneumatics, put up a show with a conveyer belt belly, and so much more! They will also go through the whole design and engineering process unique to The GIANT Room model and applicable to future school assignments and personal explorations.

Kids will be picked up at dismissal time. From 3 to 3:30 they will engage in free play/making time while waiting for all of the participants to arrive.

Recommended for ages 7-12

We provide complimentary pick up from PS 11, PS 33, PS 41, PS 340, Avenues, and Corlears for those who register for the whole semester.

FORMAT: In Person at GIANT Flatiron Hub (26 West 23rd Street, 4th floor)

DATES: Thursdays at 3:00-5:30pm, from Jan. 5th to Mar. 30th (skipping 2/23 for public school holidays)

LEARN ABOUT

• Coding fundamentals: Loops, logic, variables, function, and more

• Microcontrollers, inputs, and outputs

• Designing smart DIY sensors with electronics and incorporating them in robotic design

PRICE: $60 per session when you sign up for the full semester or $68 per individual session