DIY Activity – Paint Chip Pixelization Tutorial
One of my favorite displays at last weekend’s Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire was the Paint Chip Pixelization. This project will show you how to take a traditional piece of art, like Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers… … into a modernized, pixelized version like this! Interested in making your own? Follow these easy instructions! 1) Download and Install GIMP! (Image editing software…
Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire Recap
This past weekend, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and HackPittsburgh hosted the second annual Pittsburgh Mini Maker Faire, showcasing makers from the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with what makes someone a maker, you’re not alone. A maker is any person who devotes creativity, energy, and time to simply creating. It doesn’t matter if…
Prototyping New Programs
The MAKESHOP staff likes to prototype our programming. Sometimes this step can be the most fun part of developing new activities for our visitors. Our theme for the month of September is “Books and Bags.” We set out at the end of August to figure the best ways for visitors to create these two things. Along with the best ways…
Hana-Chaser
Two of my favorite visitors returned to the Museum a couple of days ago and created another amazing project. Their first tinkering, electronic project was dubbed the “Hanna-Occupier”. Their latest project was a motorized car made out of simple, recycled parts. They decided to name it the “Hana-Chaser”. I was excited to collaborate on this great project. Since these were…
Partying at Assemble
The great thing about Pittsburgh is the size of the city and the enthusiasm of its people. Pittsburgh is the right size to allow for collaboration between many individuals and organizations. This is especially true in regard to the people who are offering art and technology opportunities to children, youth and families. Although we work with many different individuals and…
Rideables Competition is now open!
Micro Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support programs that engage Youth Makers, children aged 7 to 17, in the hands-on design and production of objects that respond to two themes: Wearables and Rideables. The Wearables competition ended last week, but there is still a chance to apply for the Rideables competition! The Rideables grant submissions will be…
MAKESHOP Maker Micro Grants
Last month, we challenged artists, makers, and organizations to propose projects for the Wearables competition of the MAKESHOP Maker Micro Grant program. These micro grants will help programs and organizations to provide youth with meaningful making opportunities. We received many creative and innovative projects from a variety of individuals and organizations. We were incredibly impressed with the projects and thankful…