Meet a maker: Robots-4-U

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Meet:
Liza Hubbell, Robots-4-U
I am a veteran educator who knows kids flourish when they engage in creative problem solving, design thinking and project-based inquiry.  I love coaching them through so they can find success in their own time and on their own terms.
What do you do?Hovercraft-ES1 (2)
I ‘teach’ kids how to build robots, but the truth is they figure it out for themselves; I just provide the materials and the support, and a dash of scientific principles thrown in.  Robots 4 U has multiple curricula, so we can capture the imagination of many…drones, art, robots and battle robots.
How did you get started in your field/with your project and why?
I am a trained Montessori elementary teacher, so no stranger t o learning and teaching all kinds of curriculum in a hands on way.  I joined Robots 4 U because the hands on, self paced approach is important to me–I know it works for kids, and gives them a sense of ownership that other approaches don’t deliver as fully.  Plus, robots are just super cool.
What’s the most amazing, unusual (craziest) thing anyone has ever done with or told you about your project?
I had a parent this fall tell me that our program was, “like Legos on steroids.”  So true!
What is yourBattleBot-ES1 (2) favorite part about the STEM education movement?
I think it’s wonderful for kids to weave the connections between subjects and get them excited about acquiring solid skills and engaging in the investigation process.  Imagination and problem solving are at the heart of STEM/STEAM ed and it’s particularly great when girls realize that they are very capable and STEM is not ‘just for boys.’
Where do you see your making/projects going in the next 3 to 5 years?
I am excited about drones and nano tech as areas that we’ll investigate more fully on a mass culture scale, and more immediately, Robots 4 U will launch Drone School this summer!
What do you wish you knew how to do but don’t know how to (yet)?
about a zillion things, but in our open source world, I feel like I can find out!  It’s great to be connected to the Maker movement because it’s so diverse, and I learn something new all the time!
Bonus question: Who would you like to see answer these questions?
Everyone in the known universe who might be interested in these answers….Fox Mulder if he were real, as I’ve had a crush on him for 20 years…I don’t know.
Meet Liza in person, and play with some robots, April 30 and May 1 at Rocky Mountain STEAMFest!MotherBoard-ES1 (2)

Meet a maker: Boulder Modern Quilt Guild

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Boulder Modern Quilt Guild is a group of 25 or so people who love to make things out of fabric, specifically quilts using the modern aesthetic (not your Grandmother’s quilts).  We have lots of activities including meetings with lectures, all day sewing sessions, show and tell, retreats, social events and projects for charity.  We welcome visitors and new members regardless of experience and style (even your Grandmother).  We teach others and share lots of information.  We particularly want to get young people involved in quilt making to carry on tradition in a modern way.  We are a chapter of the international Modern Quilt Guild.  Our current President is Cynthia Morgan.  See our webpage at http://www.bouldermodernquiltguild.com

What do you do?

The Art and Craft of Quilting!

How did you get started in your field/with your project and why?

We love spreading the word about the fun of modern quilt making and sharing our knowledge.

What’s the most amazing, unusual (craziest) thing anyone has ever done with or told you about your project?

Our charity quilts are appreciated for the comfort and good cheer they provide to the recipients

What is your favorite part about the STEM education movement?

Involving kids, especially girls, and getting them inspired to dream big

Where do you see your making/projects going in the next 3 to 5 years?

We always have a yearlong charity quilt project….this year we are working with TRU Care Hospice and Children’s Hospital.

Meet the fun friends with the Boulder Modern Quilt Guild during Rocky Mountain STEAM Fest April 30 + May 1 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds.

Curious, tv, steam fest, science, media

Stay Curious with CuriosityStream!

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Curious, tv, steam fest, science, media

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