The Crucible

KINETICS & ELECTRONICS

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Introduction to Mechanical Sculpture
Entry-level class
Want to make your creations move, or just curious how movement happens? This course will introduce you to simple and complex mechanisms such as gears, cams, pulleys, and linkages; show you how to create, convert, and control movement, and how to combine these elements to get the complex motion you desire. Hands-on labs using foam-board, plastic, wood, and wire will deepen your understanding of these concepts, which can be applied to plastic, wood, metal, and other sculptural material. Personal projects and interests are welcomed and encouraged.

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Electronics for Artists (Biannually)
Entry-level class
Would you like to animate your kinetic and illuminated artwork? Would you like to make it more interactive? During this course, you will learn to prototype and build electronic circuits using a PICAXE microcontroller. A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that can be programmed to operate LEDs, EL-wire, neon tubes, motors, and more. You will do electronics by making a small PICAXE project and along the way learn basic electronic theory, schematic reading, use of solderless breadboards for prototyping, circuit board fabrication, and microcontroller programming. Each student will receive a kit including two PICAXE chips, a solderless breadboard and programming software. This is a beginning course designed for students who have little or no experience with electronics.

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Electromechanics for Everything
Entry-level class
Using the simplest of electronic and mechanical components, you’ll learn to make things spin, twitch, jump, bend, and wiggle. This class covers switches, buttons, relays, motors, servos, and solenoids, along with some basic analog and digital control circuits, AC/DC current, and safety. The techniques taught in this class can be applied to almost any kind of project.

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Handmade Electronic Music & Sound Design (Yearly)
Entry-level class
An engaging introduction to the craft of making—as well as creatively cannibalizing—electronic circuits for artistic purposes. If you’ve ever thought about integrating electronic music or sound-art into your work, this guided tour through the world of electronics teaches the inner workings of basic electronic devices so you can use them for your own creative ends. The class covers basic electronic principles and practical circuitry from the artist’s point of view. Transcend any fear of electronic technology and experience the pleasure of working creatively with all kinds of analog circuitry.

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Soft Circuits
Entry-level class
Soft Circuits is combining a basic electronic circuit to an existing garment. The concept behind this class is to take any wearable such as helmets, jackets or messenger bags and incorporate an electronic circuit with LEDs. The class will include electronics, adapting used garments, and adding a new function to any garment. The class will teach hands-on skills such as hand sewing with conductive thread, how to use craft material for electronic use (such as snaps as switches). At the end of the class each student will have a functional product made from their own garment, learned how to deconstruct garments, and make wearable technology for fun or as safety gear for cyclist or urban environment. Stuent must bring own helmets, jackets or messenger bag.

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Arduino Boards (Biannually)
Entry-level class
Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. Designed for those with little or no programming or electronic background, it’s perfect for artists, designers, hobbyists, and anyone interested in creating interactive objects or environments. Sensing the environment through input from a variety of sensors, Arduino can affect its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators using its free programming language and development environment.

Starting with basic electronics and programming, we will thoroughly cover the various hardware and software features of Arduino. Plenty of hands-on lab time will deepen your understanding and allow you to create interactions of your own. Personal projects are encouraged and welcomed. A laptop is helpful but not essential. An Arduino board and accessories are provided.

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Basic Flame Effects (Yearly)
Entry-level class
Create a flaming sculpture. Make your art car more noticeable. Or amaze your friends by adding fire to your art. This class covers all aspects of making safe, effective, and beautiful flame effects. The emphasis will be on propane and the burner and accumulator-type effects. Student projects are encouraged.

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Electronic and Computer Control for Flame Effect and Other Fluids
Entry-level class
Have you wanted to create flame effects, or have you wanted to add sequences or interactions to your flame effects? In this hands-on plumbing and electronics class you will learn how flame effects work, how to design and build them safely, and how to use electromechanical valves, timing circuits, or microcontrollers (Arduino) to create complex sequencing, interactive behavior with sensors, and even remote interactions via the Internet.

Most labs will use compressed air or water, and at least one lab will give you hands-on experience with propane flame effects. In addition to controlling flames, these techniques can be used with other fluids such as compressed air and hydraulic fluid, often used in robotics and kinetic sculptures. There are no prerequisites for this class, although exposure to basic electronics and plumbing will be helpful. Personal projects are encouraged and welcomed.

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Kinetics Project Lab
Taking a lab is a great way to practice and perfect the skills you learn in class. In labs, you can work on class assignments or your own projects. Lab time is supervised.

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EL-Wire Workshop (Neon & Light)
Entry- level class
Add sparkly shimmer to sculpture, interiors, and wearable art with electroluminescent wire; also known as EL-wire, it is a decorative, flexible wire that glows very much like neon. This one-day workshop introduces the technology and craft of soldering and working with EL-wire. You’ll learn basic soldering techniques, as well as various ways to assemble and attach wire to fabric, wood, and plastic. Drivers and sequencers for animation and advanced techniques will be introduced.

Youth Extreme Gizmos (Youth)
Entry-level class
Ages 8 - 12.
Learn kinetic techniques to design, engineer and construct a mechanical sculpture, contraption or gadget with lights and moving parts. Using new and salvaged components, you will learn how motors, lights and switches work, how to create mechanical structures, how to create different types of motion and how to incorporate switches to operate your very own fantastical contraption!

Youth Soft Circuits (Youth)
Entry-level class
Ages 12 - 18
Soft Circuits is the process of combining a basic electronic circuit to an existing garment. The concept behind this class is to take any wearable such as helmets, jackets or messenger bags and incorporate an electronic circuit with LEDs. The class will include electronics, adapting used garments, and adding a new function to any garment. The class will teach hands-on skills such as hand sewing with conductive thread, how to use craft material for electronic use (such as snaps as switches). At the end of the class each student will have learned how to deconstruct garments and make wearable technology for fun and safe cycling or urban wear. They’ll also leave with an original functional item repurposed from their own garment they can be proud to wear. Youth must bring own helmets, jackets or messenger bag.