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Home Archives for About Technology
We’re Now On Scratch!

Amber April 22, 2016

We’re Now On Scratch!

The younger set of boys are itching to learn Scratch. In an effort to be responsible and oversee their time online I (Amber) decided to join them and make it a family affair. I created a Big Green Chair Scratch user profile and gave the boys an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, How to be a... Tagged With: homeschoolgeek, How To Be A Coder, iterative design, iterative learning, learn to code, programming literacy, teach kids to code, teach kids to program

3D Printing Over the Network Using Sketch-up and Octoprint

David September 11, 2015

3D Printing Over the Network Using Sketch-up and Octoprint

While I'm still loving my PrintrBot Simple Metal I fell out of love with the noise it made while it shared my desk. I now have my 3D printer in a far corner but still accessible from the network - it is a huge help for my sanity.  I can monitor my prints … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology Tagged With: 3D printer, 3D printing, Cura, Homeschool Dad, homeschoolgeek, Octoprint, printrbot simple metal, Raspberry Pi, Sketchup

What is a Robot?

Amber August 14, 2015

What is a Robot?

It is a queer feeling to know that I have made myself into a footnote in the history of science and technology for having invented the foundation of a science that didn’t exist at the time – and that I did it at the age of twenty-one. ~Isaac Asimov The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Local, Science Tagged With: bb-8, bigdog, Dagna Bieda, festo third hand, history of robotics, humanoid, isaac asimov, iterative learning, james bruton, Josef Kapek, Karl Capek, nao, robot, Robotics, spherical robot, three laws of robotics, Unimate, YETI Robotics

Learn to Code Without a Computer

Amber August 13, 2015

Learn to Code Without a Computer

Often people start learning to program by learning a programming language. With this approach, though the important thinking in creating a program can get lost in the syntax of the computer language you are trying to learn. I realized this for myslef when … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, How to be a..., Math Tagged With: homeschoolgeek, How To Be A Coder, learn to code, math games, programming literacy, programming toys, teach kids to code, teach kids to program

Craft and the Modern Maker Movement

Amber August 11, 2015

Craft and the Modern Maker Movement

"…we know that the human hand is a wonderful and exquisite instrument to be used in a hundred movements exacting delicacy, direction and force; every such movement is a cause of joy as it leads to the pleasure of execution and the triumph of success. We … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Handcrafts, How to be a..., Local Tagged With: Arts and Crafts, Charlotte Mason, David Lang, handcraft, homeschool, homeschoolgeek, Maker, Maker Culture, MakerSpace Charlotte, William Morris, Zero to Maker

Design Through Iterative Learning

David August 10, 2015

Design Through Iterative Learning

This weeks posts are derived from a talk I gave this summer at the Hints Book Fair in Matthews, NC.  My talk was titled 'Are You A Homeschool Geek?', but a large part was dedicated to the design process.  I referred to it as iterative learning. If  you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Construct, Handcrafts Tagged With: design process, how to weave a potholder, iterative design, iterative learning, potholder designs, potholders

Welcome  Secular Homeschoolers!

Amber August 10, 2015

Welcome Secular Homeschoolers!

Good morning! Thanks for visiting our blog. We have an exciting week planned for you and we are so looking forward to our conversations. Before we get off the runway did you notice that the Professor  has a construction cone on his head?! That's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Challenges, Construct, How to be a... Tagged With: design process, homeschool, homeschoolgeek, homeschoolscience, iteration, iterative design, paper airplanes, Robotics, usfirst

Homeschool Geek Week Topics

Amber August 10, 2015

Homeschool Geek Week Topics

We have invited the Professor to the blog to help us out with all the extra work this week since Bitty is hard at work over on the website. He has just sent us this week's syllabus and the daily schedule of topics are listed below. Of course you can jump … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, How to be a..., Uncategorized Tagged With: artillery, Charlotte Mason, Homeschool Dad, homeschoolgeek, How To Be A Coder, iterative design, learn to code, maker movement, Robotics, robots, teach kids to code, teach kids to program, YouTube

How To Be A Homeschool Geek!

Amber August 9, 2015

How To Be A Homeschool Geek!

You might be a homeschool geek if you: …know that Python lives in the computer not a tank; ...that you should never put your Raspberry Pi in the oven; ...buy filament for your printer instead of ink. This week I am guest posting over at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology, Big Green Chair, How to be a...

Printrbot Simple Metal

David April 21, 2015

Printrbot Simple Metal

We recently bought a Printrbot Simple Metal 3D printer to use around our home office. I learned about this printer from Scott Hanselman and his 3D printer shootout. Having limited experience using printers (I also have access to a Cubify printer.) I was a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: About Technology Tagged With: 3D printing, adjust the z axis, homeschool, Homeschool Dad, printrbot simple metal

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Recent Posts

  • Tello! May 14, 2018
  • Build a Crossbow from Legos July 30, 2016
  • We’re Now On Scratch! April 22, 2016
  • 3D Printing Over the Network Using Sketch-up and Octoprint September 11, 2015
  • What is a Robot? August 14, 2015

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