Author Archives: Ted Sliwinski

AwesomeShop: Tron Bikes – Week 6: Building Amps

Because of last weeks Uber Hack in Eastern Market, the Tron Bikes class was a little behind, so we went full speed into building small OpAmps (audio amplifiers) so that next week we can put them in miniature, on bike, boom … Continue reading

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The new BTOP computers are here!

Through a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant received through our partnership with the Detroit Digital Justice Coalition, we received four new iMacs complete with video and audio editing software!! As you can see, the group at our Tuesday OpenShop … Continue reading

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SprintShop: “Making Noise” at Cranbrook Academy of Art

On Monday 4/23, we traveled out to Cranbrook Academy of Art to teach one of our SprintShops called “Making Noise.” At Making Noise, we introduce the basics of electricity, electronic components and sound through a hands-on DIY synthesizer build. As … Continue reading

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“Uber Hack” with OCD in Eastern Market

This past weekend we cancelled our Tron Bikes workshop in favor of joining with our partner hackerspace OmniCorpDetroit (OCD) so that a handful of our Makers could teach classes during Saturday market day in Eastern Market. Many market-goers stopped by … Continue reading

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AwesomeShop: Tron Bikes – Week 5: LED Bike Lights

This week in the Tron Bikes class we created simple LED circuits that would fit into bicycle wheels! As you can see, it was a big hit!!! Many students left with a full LED light, complete with a wired in battery … Continue reading

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AwesomeShop: Tron Bikes – Week 4: Bike Safety Lights

This week, in the Tron bikes class, we made simple blinky LED circuits for bicycle safety lights. We also introduced the nature of prototyping through beard-boards, proto-boards and engineering schematics. I see much more electrical mayhem in our future!

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AwesomeShop: Tron Bikes – Week 3: Bike Mechanics Pt.2

We talked a lot about different parts of the bike last week, but this week it was time to put the rest of the bicycles together. We reviewed brakes, then moved into drive trains and other accessories.

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AwesomeShop: Play with Electricity – Week 3: Batteries

By far the most fun class I have ever been a part of! This week in Play with Electricity, Jeff showed everyone how to make simple batteries out of fruit, copper nails and zinc nails! Also, as a special ending … Continue reading

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