This winter, we did a Saturday workshop called "Squeezable Circuits". The kids (ten of them, 9-12 years old) made their own squeeze-triggered circuits, and then used motors, lights, buzzers, and a variety of recycled and craft materials to create creatures that came alive when you squeezed a glove. This project was inspired by California artist Bernie Lubell and work he did with Mike and Karen at the Exploratorium. The workshop lasted three hours.

Days 4 and 5: Making Motion Each pair worked creating their objects and building the module that will move their light. Once the modules were built, students programmed Crickets to make their motor turn on and off, change directions... however they want it to move. Nina and Justin made a machine that will move their feather towards and away from the screen, using corrugated cardboard, Lego gears, a motor and a Cricket.]

We have scraps of mylar sitting out on our worktables and I started playing with them. They make amazing patterns as you coil them up on a tabletop. Scraps on my desk. Patterns in the loop. I spent time shaping the strips of mylar as well...