؜Different pulley systems

90 degree gear connector

WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

Sketching city elements

To start creating a bank of potential features to include in your plot of the chain reaction city

ACTIVITY PROMPT

What are the elements that make up a city?

1. Pathways + methods of transportation (subway tunnels, roadways, pedestrian paths)
2. Infrastructural systems (electricity distribution, water systems)
3. Buildings (residential, commercial, landmarks)
4. Natural topographical features (mountains, coastlines)
5. Green spaces (parks, beaches)

Any others?

ACTIVITY PROMPT

For each of the following themes, sketch at least two elements from the list (more points for more elements!):

1. Naturalia/ Plant City
2. Alphabet City
3. Pet Metropolis

Spend 5 minutes on each theme-- these should be quick and generative sketches!

ACTIVITY MATERIALS

CHOOSE THE CITY THEME

؜As a whole group, you are going to construct one invented city, with each group working on a city plot with a series of chain reactions within it. All of these plot will fall under a general theme. Together, discuss possible themes and decide on one to work within.

Example themes might look like the ones we used for sketching prompts in this exercise (Plant City, Alphabet City, Pet Metropolis). They should be general enough that each group has creative freedom, but narrow enough that in the end all of the plots will come together to look like one cohesive cityscape.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

Choosing two moving parts from the mechanism library and combining/ integrating them into one prototype

؜To learn how these mechanisms work and how they can be applied.

؜1

؜Familiarize yourself with the different mechanisms we'll be exploring by looking through the mechanisms deck in the Resources tab

Choose two mechanisms that you find most interesting. Sketch ideas for how you might integrate the two mechanisms or have them work together.

Using the provided cardboard and craft tools, construct the mechanisms and any extra pieces that will be needed to attach /integrate them.

Test your prototypes to see how well they function. Make adjustments as needed to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

Share out! Show the rest of the group what you made!

؜3

؜2

؜4

؜5

OPTIONAL

Use this skill lab as a lasercutting workshop!

Attached to this post you will find .svg files for many of the mechanisms. Use these to laser cut the parts to assemble the mechanisms.

(Still try to find a way to attach or have the two mechanisms work together.)

GEARS

SCISSOR

SLIDER

RAMP

PULLEY

TENTACLE

• Cardboard
• Straw
• String

How to make it

1

4

2

3

Cut the cardboard into a long rectangle

Bend the cardboard into segments (about 1-inch long)

Cut the straw into half-inch pieces and hot glue them into the center of each segment

Thread the string through the straw pieces and secure it by tying or glueing to the top of the cardboard

SPINNER

CLAW

How to make it

1

2

Fold the triangular column on the perforations. Glue the triangle caps onto each end.

Glue two hook pieces together to make a wider/ stronger hook. Repeat three times.

How to make it

3

4

Glue the smaller round piece onto a larger piece. Slide a hook onto the small wood dowel. Glue into the notch. Glue on the larger cap.

Slide each of the three longer cardboard strips through the holes in the claws.

How to make it

5

6

Put the wood dowel through the holes in the triangular column, then the claw piece. Glue the circular cap onto the top of the dowel and claw piece.

Glue the center of the smaller cardboard strip onto the side of the triangle. Sandwich the ends of the long cardboard strip inside this piece. Repeat on each side.

GRABBER

1

4

2

3

5

4

How to make it

Lever

Mechanism 5

Waving

Mechanism 7

How to make it

1

4

2

3

5

6

Curving

Mechanism 8

How to make it

1

4

2

؜3

Grabbing

Mechanism 9

 Coiling / Tentacle Motion

Mechanism 10

WHAT WE ARE DOING

WHY WE ARE DOING IT

generate initial ideas about their concept in the form of sketches, collaboratively writing a project thesis statement and developing a project name 

to solidify your idea and arrive at a conceptual direction

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Settle on 2-3 concepts that encompasses your project design and sketch multiple drawings of each concept.

Share your sketches with the people you are sharing the puzzle with. Give each other feedback and suggest ways you might connect each piece together.

Go through the slides and learn about creating a project thesis. Then, create a project thesis for each idea you might have.

Then, start brainstorming ways to name your different project ideas. Use the tips from the slides to help you decide.

Compile your sketches with their project thesis and titles on a slide show. Then, share with your class.

When writing an essay, a thesis statement is a sentence that states the topic and purpose of your writing. A good thesis statement will direct the structure of your essay and will allow your reader to understand the ideas you will discuss within your paper.

A thesis statement for a creative project serves a similar purpose. This statement will guide your research and prototyping throughout the creative process.

EXAMPLE PROJECT THESIS

The Ascendoskeleton is an exohand that assists users in the climbing of vertical surfaces such as cliffs and trees through the use of velco-like metal claws. The Ascendoskeleton is inspired by the climbing abilities of spider legs.  

Ascendoskeleton

EXAMPLE PROJECT THESIS

WaterWear is a rain collection and storage device that is designed for a future of extreme water scarcity due to climate change. The device is worn on the body at all times so water can always be collected when available and used when needed. 

WaterWear

THESIS QUESTIONS

What is it?

How does it work?

What inspired the design?

What is it accomplishing?

Answer the most important of these questions for your specific project. 

Speak in the "third person". Do not use the words "I" or "you" in your thesis statement. 

How does your part contribute to the whole of the cityscape?

PROJECT NAME GENERATOR

It is easier to write a thesis statement for your project once you have chosen a project name. 

Here is one technique for coming up with many name options to choose from. 

Project Theme 1

Project Theme 2

Possible Project Names

Water 

Hydro

Liquid

Rain

Dry 

Pack

Collector 

Wear

Camel

 

Suit

Water Pack

Water Wear 

Water Suit

Hydro Wear 

Hydro Pack 

Rain Collector 

Rain Camel 

Rain Wear 

Defining the thesis of your project is an important step. It may take multiple drafts to get it right. This thesis can evolve over the course of the design process. Ask others to critique your words. 

The Climbclaw is an attachment that helps users in climbing things like spiderman. It is made out of cardboard and has spikes. 

exohand

what

things?

what would the final materials be?