Is it Summer Time?

Is it Summer Time? Then you are in the right place... This is where I'm going to post for Summer Activities, Lessons and Projects...

How to keep up to date on whats going on?
You can add your email to the "Follow by Email" field in the upper right of this page... that way you will get notified when ever I post a new post.

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I have updated the blogs, so now if you get "Lost", you can get "Home"...              

jim The STEAM Clown's Blog jim The STEAM Clown

Silicon Valley CTE Mechatronics Class AM Mechatronics Engineering Daily Blog PM Mechatronics Engineering Daily Blog

How can you help my Mechatronics Engineering class?

• Here are some ideas on how to help my class: Help STEAM Clown

Monday, July 6, 2020 - How are you doing? Take a look at this DYI USB Webcam

How to keep up to date on whats going on?

You can add your email to the "Follow by Email" field in the upper right of this page... that way you will get notified when ever I post a new post.

I though this DIY USB Camera Was Cool...

Salvaging USB Webcams from Old Laptops https://blog.adafruit.com/2020/07/05/salvaging-usb-webcams-from-old-laptops/ On this episode of DIY Perks, Matt shows just how easy it is to re-purpose a webcam from an old or dead laptop. Basically all you have to do is figure out which wires are which, hook it up to a USB cable, and you have an extra webcam.

Want to Join a Project?

I'm creating a few project that I want to work on... but I would also like to let you join and work on them too... So If you want to join one of these projects below:

• Adding New Events Project - This project is all about learning how to do the following... and maybe that's not how to do it. To get started on this project, you should start reading up about PHP and mySql or other database structures. My web host supports PHP and mySql, so that is probably what I'll eventually use.
• Java Script to capture the input data form
• More Javascript to create a data structure or object
• Take that input data structure and feed it to some PHP
• Which should probably end up in a data base like mySql

• Flip Timer Project Overview - I want to turn this Flip Clock into a github student managed software project. I want to turn it from a Flip Clock in to a count down timer, and then add in the "lost" flip cards and then use it in class to time activities... Stay Tuned.
• Flip Clock

Need some "Lite" reading?

Here is a list of mostly Engineering, Math, Machine Learning and Data Science books. There are a bunch of Chemistry, Biology, and Social Science books too... PDF and Free (there are some with out pdf links). I downloaded more than half of them and am going to build a library for my students... I'm sure some of these have way more math that I'm ready for... but they have some cool pictures. I'm excited for the Astrophysics and Data Science books... No... Really... I'm going to read some of these... Check out this PDF file link

Thursday, July 2, 2020 - Ahhh... 5 weeks till school starts... Let's still do some summer stuff.

How to keep up to date on whats going on?

You can add your email to the "Follow by Email" field in the upper right of this page... that way you will get notified when ever I post a new post.

Want to Join a Project?

I'm creating a few project that I want to work on... but I would also like to let you join and work on them too... So If you want to join one of these projects below:

• Adding New Events Project - This project is all about learning how to do the following... and maybe that's not how to do it. To get started on this project, you should start reading up about PHP and mySql or other database structures. My web host supports PHP and mySql, so that is probably what I'll eventually use.
• Java Script to capture the input data form
• More Javascript to create a data structure or object
• Take that input data structure and feed it to some PHP
• Which should probably end up in a data base like mySql

• Flip Timer Project Overview - I want to turn this Flip Clock into a github student managed software project. I want to turn it from a Flip Clock in to a count down timer, and then add in the "lost" flip cards and then use it in class to time activities... Stay Tuned.
• Flip Clock

Need some "Lite" reading?

Here is a list of mostly Engineering, Math, Machine Learning and Data Science books. There are a bunch of Chemistry, Biology, and Social Science books too... PDF and Free (there are some with out pdf links). I downloaded more than half of them and am going to build a library for my students... I'm sure some of these have way more math that I'm ready for... but they have some cool pictures. I'm excited for the Astrophysics and Data Science books... No... Really... I'm going to read some of these... Check out this PDF file link

Monday, June 22, 2020 - Need some Lite Reading?

How to keep up to date on whats going on?

You can add your email to the "Follow by Email" field in the upper right of this page... that way you will get notified when ever I post a new post.

Need some "Lite" reading?

Here is a list of mostly Engineering, Math, Machine Learning and Data Science books. There are a bunch of Chemistry, Biology, and Social Science books too... PDF and Free (there are some with out pdf links). I downloaded more than half of them and am going to build a library for my students... I'm sure some of these have way more math that I'm ready for... but they have some cool pictures. I'm excited for the Astrophysics and Data Science books... No... Really... I'm going to read some of these... Check out this PDF file link

running a Linux command in the background

I'm working on my Python lesson plans and updating my Python modules.  Thought I would post about what I needed to check today...

I wanted to run the IDLE3 python interpreter from the command line in the terminal.  If I just type:
$ idle3 
then it does launch the IDEL3 python interpreter, but it does not release the terminal, so you want to run the command in the background by typing:
$idle3 &
The & tells the terminal to run the process in the background and your terminal is then released to be able to execute other commands with out waiting for the idel3 process to terminate.

Tuesday January 15, 2019 - Python Into

Lesson 5 Python Introduction

Thursday, January 10, 2019 - Raspberry Pi - Getting Started

Entry Ticket - Turn In A List of 5 different versions of Linux

• Assignment - Duration: 10 Min
• Instructions & Expectations: Take some time to learn what Linux is, and how many versions or distributions there are.  This is an open research project... Google is your friend. 
• How to Submit Assignment: You are to turn in a list of 5 Linux Distribution names... like Raspbian (that one does not count).  To get the full 10 points.  Your list has to have at least one distribution that no one else has. Click this Linux Distributions Google Form link to turn this in. - 10 Points
• Dig Deeper: watch "25 Most Important Events In The History of Linux"

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Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today: Entry Ticket - Version of Linux Read Chapter 2 and learn some Linux Clean Up

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Raspberry Pi Desktop Menus & Command Line

• Assignment - Duration: 60 Min
• Lecture Link: Getting Started With The Desktop & Command Line
• Instructions & Expectations: Listen and Follow the Instructions from the teacher and the lecture. You are going to get a Python Textbook and read the Preface, Introduction and Chapter 1 "Introduction"
• How to Submit Assignment: 
• Take the Programming the Raspberry Pi Chapter 2 Quiz
• Show you can play MineCraft
• Dig Deeper: Look here to learn more...

Introduction to Toshiba/NSTA Project 

• LAB - Duration: 30 Min
• Link: 
• Instructions & Expectations: Connect with your... 
• How to Submit Assignment:   Each Student needs to account for your time.  
• Every One Do The Following: Turn in a Google Project/Time Status Form
• Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
• Robot Club Google Sites
• Guest LED Lesson
• Printers - Work on taking the printers apart
• TinkerCAD
• Udemy - My Courses (specifically the Arduino Workshop and Electronics Engineering Technology class)

Clean Up

• Assignment - Duration: 2-10 Min
• Instructions & Expectations: Desk cleanup, put away all projects, find your assigned job
• How to Submit Assignment: When Complete, check yourself off on Sign Out Sheet - 2 Points

Wed January 9, 2019 - Say "Hi" to a Raspberry Pi

Entry Ticket - Goolge search for good Raspberry Pi getting started Videos... Watch one

• Assignment - Duration: 15 Min
• Link: Do a Google Search
• Instructions & Expectations: Take some time to find some instructions for  setting up or getting started with the Raspberry Pi.  Watch one. 
• How to Submit Assignment: Go to our Mechatronics Engineering google classroom and check the STREAM for current Entry Ticket Assignments & Questions. - 10 Points
• Find and Watch a Raspberry Pi Getting Started Video
• Turn in the link
• If yours is unique and no one else list yours, you get 10 points, if 1 other lists the same tutorial as you, then 9 points.  If you and 3 others link to the same tutorial then 8 points, else 7.5 points
• Dig Deeper: Sign up for the Electro{maker} web site.  It's like Instructables. Then go look at the Best Raspberry Pi projects Besides a Retro Gaming Console 

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Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today: Entry Ticket - 10 Best Raspberry Pi Projects Welcome New Students Read Chapter 1 and Get a Raspberry Pi setup Clean Up

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Welcome New Students... Lets Review Class Policies

• All new students will get a Student Packet (Please get this signed and returned by Friday)
• 2018-2019 School Calendar - SVCTE
• E-rate Survey
• Insurance Waiver or Request Form
• Participation Agreement
• Student Emergency Form
• Student Parent Agreement
• Student Parking Permit Form
• Student Photo Release Form
• Student Use of Technology
• Uniform Complaint Procedures
• Getting Logged on to the computers
• SVCTE Student Resources
• Class Procedures & Policy
• Attendance
• Grading
• But I'm Starving
• I can't Live Without My Phone
• Teacher I Need To Pee
• Dig Deeper: Look here to learn more about our class ...

Job Ready Skills (While I Get New Students Setup)

• LAB - Duration: 30 Min 
• Work on the first  to Job Ready Career Skills at www.jobreadycareerskills.com 
• Forgot your password? If you forgot your password, txt me at  (408) 785-6649. I'll see what I can do. 
• REMEMBER You Need To Get 70% or Better on the Quiz at the end of each Module 
• Do Today:
• Behaviors Employers Expect (R)
• Objectionable Behaviors (R)
• You actually should be competed with the following 2 modules.  If you are not, over the next week take some open lab time to finish...
• Workplace Ethics (10 lessons)
• Personal Characteristics (10 Lessons)
  

Programming the Raspberry Pi

• Assignment - Duration: 60 Min
• Lecture Link: Raspberry Pi - Introduction
• Instructions & Expectations: Listen and Follow the Instructions from the teacher and the lecture. You are going to get a Python Textbook and read the Preface, Introduction and Chapter 1 "Introduction"
• How to Submit Assignment: 
• Take the Programming the Raspberry Pi Chapter 1 Quiz
• Show you can play MineCraft
• Dig Deeper: Look at more Raspberry Pi Links online.  YouTube videos, or projects...

Robot Club and/or Open LAB 

• LAB - Duration: 30 Min
• Link: Robot Club Google Sites
• Instructions & Expectations: Connect with your Robot Club Team.  You will either be working on your Robot Project or an Open Lab Project.  
• You will need to account for your time. You will need to convince me by your form submission that you worked given the time allotted. 
• If  you or your Robot Club Team worked on the Robot Club project, you will make sure your Robot Project Status Google docs are updated.  
• If you worked on an Open Lab Project, you will also need to tell me about what you accomplished and what you are planning next.
• How to Submit Assignment:   Each Student needs to account for your time.  
• Every One Do The Following: Turn in a Google Project/Time Status Form
• If you also worked on your Robot Club Project, also UPDATE your Robot Project Status Google docs.  
• Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
• Robot Club Google Sites
• Guest LED Lesson
• Printers - Work on taking the printers apart
• TinkerCAD
• Udemy - My Courses (specifically the Arduino Workshop and Electronics Engineering Technology class)

Clean Up

• Assignment - Duration: 2-10 Min
• Instructions & Expectations: Desk cleanup, put away all projects, find your assigned job
• How to Submit Assignment: When Complete, check yourself off on Sign Out Sheet - 2 Points

Do you Know Who Owns Your Data? - Questions That Matter: Data and Democracy

This is a Event you might want to check out

5 Points Extra Credit - Submit to the Mechatronics Extra Credit Form.  You have to write 200 words about what you learned, and take a selfie with an event sign or banner... Something to prove you were there...

Do you Know Who Owns Your Data? 

Questions That Matter: Data and Democracy

January 29, 2019
6pm - Reception
7pm - Program
Kuumbwa Jazz Center

Technology increasingly shapes our habits and defines our access to information. As our society navigates shifting sources of news, targeted advertising, and polarizing online rhetoric, it is essential that we work to understand the complex and often obscured relationship between data and democracy.

Join THI to explore how we got here and to imagine a more inclusive and transparent future.

Buy your tickets now. $15 ticket includes light refreshments.