Physical Computing, Hackerspaces and why the DIY movement matters to Engineering
Filed under: Computer, Computing, Events, Robotics, Sensors
Wednesday, 9 March 2011: Carlyn Maw, a co-founder of CrashSpace, a Los Angeles Hackerspace, formerly an instructor and graduate of NYU ITP, presents an introduction to Physical Computing.
Location: Richter Auditorium, Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks (6:30-8:30pm)
Carlyn Maw
Physical Computing is a hands-on multidisciplinary approach to interaction design and systems engineering. It is neither electrical engineering light nor advanced hobby electronics, but rather a holistic approach to invention and problem solving. Practitioners are frequently experts in their fields who want to harness the power of electronics within their own discipline. Past examples included:
- A musician composing a symphonies based on data collected from sensors on the body.
- An occupational therapist working to develop a pressure vest for children with sensory modulation disorders.
- A scientist tracking monkeys.
- A fashion designer creating a dress that unfurls like a flower.
Physical Computing methodologies quickly grab the imagination of beginners by treating electronics and programing as tools which extend what the new-comer already knows rather than as complete separate realms of expertise. With an emphasis on learning by doing and rapid prototyping, Physical Computing provides a quick pay off for those just starting out and for experts making “sketches.”
Additionally, Physical Computing has become a way of life for the communities forming around it. People around the world are working to increase the accessibility of the making things way of life. Carlyn will provide an overview of the conceptual approaches, tools, people and communities that are contributing to Physical Computing today.
Spring Robotics Camp
The spring Robotics Camp offers two three-day sessions in April for students ages 7 to 14. Register online at Robotics and Things.
More info: see Robotics Camp at the Acorn Online.
Conejo Robotics Club to Compete
Filed under: Events, Robotics, Robotics and Automation
Michael Weingarden, a Newbury Park High School algebra teacher, led the Conejo Robotics Club to the title of best rookie team in the 2007 FIRST Robotics Competition. That year they took 11th place in regional competition and fourth place out of 80 teams at the national level.
Chuck Seabury, IEEE BV Section Engineer of the Year 2010, advises the team. The team plans to discuss results and show their machine at the upcoming April Computer Society meeting.
See the full article in the Ventura Country Star online and view the photo gallery of the work in progress.
Moorpark College CS Advisory Committee
Dean Lisa Miller and the Moorpark College CS and CNSE departments invite Computer Science professionals to participate in our yearly Advisory Committee meeting for the Computer Science and Computer Network Systems Engineering departments. The purpose is to reach out to the community around Moorpark College in order to gain your insight and feedback as to what our programs are doing and what they should be doing.
We will begin the meeting by reviewing what our programs are doing and the future plans we have. We then ask that you, who will teach/employ Moorpark students, give us your feelings as to what we should be preparing our students for at the community college level. (This level is the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and/or job training.) What are the trends you see developing that you want students to learn? If you already employ/teach our students, what are we doing right and what can we improve on?
This should be a one hour meeting (until 8 PM). However, if we wish to, we can certainly go beyond this time if you feel that the discussion merits it.
Thank you for considering attending. If you know others who you feel should be at this meeting, please do not hesitate to ask them to contact me. I also ask that you please RSVP to me. We will supply parking passes.
WHAT: Moorpark College CS/CNSE Advisory Committee Meeting
WHEN: Monday March 28 at 7 PM
WHERE: Academic Center Conference Room 221 on the Moorpark Campus
Thank you,
Martin Chetlen
Department Chair
CS/CNSE Departments
Moorpark College
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Chapter Info
Buenaventura Section
Chapter C16 Location R6 01 09
Regular Meeting Info
Meets evenings, 2nd Wed of the month. See link above for meeting info.