This week we need to combine both woodworking and the Circuit Playground Express. It is so cool that brings me the sense of cross-linking between two distinct subjects and I was welcomed and belonged to a new technology!
Honestly, I quickly decided what I wanted to do. Since it is a “cross” project, I want my welcome bot to be more fluffy, cute, and soft with the hard core of solid wood and electronic pieces. Then, one animal jumped into my brain (before I slept):
SHEEP!!
Hence I then got approval from my dear roommate and started to use one of her amazing artworks as my plan of building my welcomeBot:
Definitely, I realized it was too hard to make the whole piece with all the complicated patterns. I tried to extract some typical shapes that can symbolize “sheep” most: a triangle representing the head, a bent ellipse as the horn, and a huge rectangle as the body. Even though I thought it was simple enough, I still met a lot of problems during the woodworking process. For the horn part, it is really hard to cut the inner part of the wood while maintaining some outer edges at the same time. I was little frustrated at the beginning but thanks for the help from Fimbel Lab, we deigned the sublines to be cut first with the small saw first and I also used the plane and hammer to separate each piece. It worked so well! Though one needed piece was separated together with other pieces, it was in our plan cause we knew the wood was very fragile. After combing it back to the core horn with the wood glue, we got a whole piece of horn ( and all the blocks we need)!
I should say it was so interesting that I spent more time in the wood workshop place than I expected, but it was such a good experience. It reminded me of my learning process of sewing.
Till now I still don’t know how to successfully sew with the machine cause I was a little afraid of machines full of needles and no one tried to teach me patiently. But now I find the inner confirmation, creativity and actual skills could grow with the help of great sources and consistent work, and these all serve to boost belongingness.
If I have one more chance I will definitely try again- maybe next sewing workshop!
After finishing the woodworking part, I solved the circuit in 30 minutes as I am gradually becoming an expert in it (lol). Here is how it looks from the back and I calculated the width of the triangle to fully cover the battery and the circuit playground:
And finally, here is the final product! (NOTIFICATION: My weird noise of HELLO)
Reflection on My WelcomeBot Project: Belongingness, Learning, and Creativity
Creating my WelcomeBot project, which combined woodworking and electronics with the Circuit Playground Express, was an exciting and challenging experience that brought together two seemingly distinct subjects. As I embarked on this project, I found myself welcomed into a new world of technology, where I felt a sense of belonging and curiosity. It was a journey that not only allowed me to explore my creativity but also provided insights into the broader aspects of learning and belongingness.
Choosing to build a sheep-themed WelcomeBot was a whimsical decision, driven by my desire to infuse a touch of softness and cuteness into a project that inherently involved hard materials like wood and electronics. I drew inspiration from my roommate’s artwork of a Black Sheep, which set the foundation for my creation. However, the woodworking phase of the project presented its own set of challenges. Cutting the intricate inner parts of the horn while maintaining the outer edges proved difficult. Initially, I felt frustrated, but with the guidance and support of the Fimbel Lab team, I learned to approach the task methodically. We devised a plan to cut sublines first, used a plane and hammer to separate each piece, and successfully reassembled the horn using wood glue. This experience reminded me of my earlier struggles with sewing, where I lacked the confidence to use a machine. However, this project showed me that with the right resources and perseverance, I could overcome my fears and develop both creative and technical skills. As I completed the woodworking portion, I approached the electronics aspect with growing confidence. I swiftly solved the circuit in just 30 minutes, showcasing the progress I had made in understanding and working with technology. This project, in essence, served as a microcosm of my broader learning journey. It taught me that belongingness can be cultivated when we are open to new experiences, challenges, and support from our environment. Just as I initially shied away from sewing due to fear and a lack of guidance, there might have been courses or activities in my academic journey that I hesitated to embrace. Looking back, I understand the importance of receiving positive messages and support from my environment to foster a sense of belonging. If I could revisit my past decisions, I would tell my former self to be more open to new challenges, to seek guidance when needed, and to trust in my ability to learn and adapt. This project has shown me that belongingness, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset can all be nurtured through the pursuit of creative endeavors and learning experiences that push us out of our comfort zones.
In conclusion, my WelcomeBot project was a delightful journey that brought together woodworking and electronics, allowing me to discover the power of belongingness and the growth that comes with embracing new challenges. It was a reminder that with the right support and a willingness to learn, we can overcome our fears and cultivate creativity and self-efficacy. This project has inspired me to continue exploring new horizons and to encourage others to do the same, knowing that belongingness and personal growth are waiting to be discovered in every endeavor we undertake.