Monday, January 7, 2092

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.


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?

Monday, July 6, 2020

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.
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

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.
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

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

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

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.


Thursday, January 10, 2019

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"

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

    • Clean Up




    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.  
    • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
    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

    Wednesday, January 9, 2019

    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 

      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




      Welcome New Students... Lets Review Class Policies

      Job Ready Skills (While I Get New Students Setup)
      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: 
      • 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.  
      • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
      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

      Tuesday, January 8, 2019

      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.

      Tuesday January 8, 2019 - Welcome Back, Say "Hi" to a Raspberry Pi

      Entry Ticket - 10 Best Raspberry Pi Projects
      • Assignment - Duration: 15 Min
      • Link: 10 Best Raspberry Pi Projects
      • Instructions & Expectations: Take some time to look at either these 10 best Raspberry Pi Projects or find some different ones.  There are lot's if you Google "Raspberry Pi Prijects.  You could look in Instructables... They have lots of Raspberry Pi Projects.  
        • Pick 2 projects which would be interesting to build. 
        • Tell me why you picked these projects and what you hope to learn?
        • What do you need to learn to be successful creating this project?
      • How to Submit Assignment: Go to our Mechatronics Engineering google classroom and check the STREAM for current Entry Ticket Assignments & Questions. - 10 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 

      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




      Welcome New Students... Lets Review Class Policies

      Job Ready Skills (While I Get New Students Setup)
      Programming the Raspberry Pi
      • Assignment - Duration: 60 Min
      • Lecture Link: nnnn
      • 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: 
      • Dig Deeper: Look here to learn more...
      Robot Club and/or Open LAB 
      • LAB - Duration: 60 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.  
      • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
      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

      Labels:

      Saturday, December 15, 2018

      The Five Success Skills Every Student Should Master

      This is an interesting article about some skills students (really everyone) should learn to survive their future employment environments.

      "But if we step back and look at the big picture—if we consider what is essential in every situation, regardless of what technology or the workplace may require—it’s the ability to know oneself and work with others, our human literacy, that is essential for success. Today and tomorrow, people with strong intrapersonal and interpersonal success skills will be better able to solve just about every problem."

      The Five Success Skills Every Student Should Master

      Tuesday, December 11, 2018

      Tuesday, December 11, 2018 - Flex and LCD's

      Special Announcements or Instructions:
      Seniors Only - Community College Presentation in Auditorium 7:45-8:25


      Entry Ticket - Work on Your FLEX Factor Speaker Notes 
      • Assignment - Duration: 50 Min
      • Link: Presentation Link
      • Instructions & Expectations: Please update your speaker notes and tune your slides with the feedback from yesterdays presentation feedback.
      • How to Submit Assignment:  When asked at the end of the 50 min work time, please have some one on your team turn in the presntation.  Go to our Mechatronics Engineering google classroom and check the STREAM for current Entry Ticket Assignments & Questions. - 50 Points

      Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
      • Entry Ticket - Flex Factor Speaker Notes
      • LCD Lab
      • Clean Up



      LCD Display 2X16 - Hello World
      • Lecture/Presentation - Duration: 40 Min
      • Link: Arduino Tutorial - HelloWorld
      • Instructions & Expectations: On your own or with a partner, build this LCD circuit.  Then find some LCD code that does more than print Hello World.
      • How to Submit Assignment: Show me your working circuit
      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

      Labels:

      Friday, December 7, 2018

      Friday December 7, 2018 - Flex Factor Presentation Dry Run #1


      Mechatronics Engineering Google Site
      Special Instructions:

      Entry Ticket - Get ready to present your Flex Factor
      • Assignment - Duration: 5 Min
      • Instructions & Expectations: Get your thoughts together... maybe write a few notes on a card.  Get ready for your team to present.  Your Flex Factor presentations are 5 min...
      Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
      • Entry Ticket  - Prep for Flex Factor Dry Presentation
      • Flex Factor - all teams present 5 Min Each
      • Maker Friday - Open Lab
      • Clean Up



      Flex Factor - 5 min Dry Run Presentations
      • Duration: 50 Min
      • Instructions & Expectations: Listen and take notes on comments for every one else's presentation.  
        Robot Club and/or Open LAB 
        • LAB - Duration: 60 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.  
        • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
        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

        Tuesday, December 4, 2018

        IEEE Robotics & Automation Society e-News

        Learn Something...  

        Take a look at this IEEE Robotics & Automation Society e-News... Why? We need to be life long learners... Spend a few minutes... You probably will learn something that will make you a better Engineer...

        IEEE Robotics & Automation Society e-News

        Tuesday, December 4, 2018 - Sea Perch and Robot Club


        Mechatronics Engineering Google Site
        Special Instructions:


        Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
        • Sea Perch
        • Robot Club
        • Clean Up



        Sea Perch and/or Open LAB 
        • LAB - Duration: 60 Min
        • Link: Sea Perch Google Sites link
        • Instructions & Expectations: Create and form a Sea Perch Team.  there will be 5 teams.  
          • 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 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.  
        Robot Club and/or Open LAB 
        • LAB - Duration: 60 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.  
        • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
        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



        Labels:

        Monday, December 3, 2018

        Monday December 3, 2018 - Flex and Submarines


        Mechatronics Engineering Google Site
        Special Instructions:


        Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
        • Flex Factor Final Pitch 
        • Flex Factor Presentation Review
        • Sea Perch ROV Introduction
        • Clean Up



        Flex Factor Final Pitch Prep
        • Lecture/Presentation - Duration: 15 Min
        • Link: Presentation Links
        • Instructions & Expectations: Listen and take notes in your Interactive Lab Book. If needed review the posted slide presentation
        • Dig Deeper: Look here to learn more...
        Sea Perch and/or Open LAB 
        • LAB - Duration: 60 Min
        • Link: Sea Perch Google Sites link
        • Instructions & Expectations: Create and form a Sea Perch Team.  there will be 5 teams.  
          • 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 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.  
        • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
        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

        Labels:

        Friday, November 30, 2018

        Friday November 30, 2018 - Flex and Maker Friday


        Mechatronics Engineering Google Site
        Special Instructions:


        Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
        • Entry Ticket 
        • what is the limit of this line can X here
        • Stuff
        • Clean Up



        Flex Factor Presentation
        • Lecture/Presentation - Duration: 15 Min
        • Link: Presentation Template  Link
        • Instructions & Expectations: This is just a guide for what you should have in your Flex Factor slides.  I'm expecting 3-5 slides on the features and Technology of your product.
        • How to Submit Assignment: Go to our Mechatronics Engineering google classroom and check the STREAM for current Entry Ticket Assignments & Questions. - 20 Points
        Robot Club and/or Open LAB 
        • LAB - Duration: 60 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.  
        • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
        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

        Labels:

        Thursday, November 29, 2018

        Thursday November 29, 2018 - LinkedIn Skype call with Kim Burnham


        Mechatronics Engineering Google Site
        Special Instructions:

        Entry Ticket - Work on you LinkedIn Profile
        • Assignment - Duration: 15 Min
        • Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/
        • Instructions & Expectations: Work on your Profile "headline" and "summary", Be ready to talk about it with my Sister Kim
        • How to Submit Assignment: I will check your profile over the weekend for a grade, and try to make some comments - 10 Points
        Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
        • Entry Ticket - Work on LinkedIn Profile
        • Skype with an Expert
        • Stuff
        • Clean Up



        LinkedIn Profile review - Skype with an Expert
        Stuff
        • LAB - Duration: 15 Min
        • Link: Presentation Link
        • Instructions & Expectations: List instructions here
        • How to Submit Assignment: Do the following
        • Dig Deeper: Look here to learn more...

        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

        Labels:

        Wednesday, November 28, 2018 - LinkedIn


        Mechatronics Engineering Google Site
        Special Instructions:

        Entry Ticket - Can You See This Machine Design Site?
        • Assignment - Duration: 10 Min
        • Link: Dec Machine Design Magazine
          • Spend 5 min looking at the magazine, tell me 1 thing you found interesting, maybe that might apply to submarines. 
        • Instructions & Expectations: Check out this Machine Design Site.  This is a monthly magazine.  you can sign up to get your own copy here: Register for Machine Design.  Click on the "register" button in the top right of the page.  Use an Email that you will have controller over in 2 years. You should NOT use your @metroed.net or other school email
        • How to Submit Assignment: After spending 5 min looking at the magazine, tell me 1 thing you found interesting, maybe that might apply to submarines. Go to our Mechatronics Engineering google classroom and check the STREAM for current Entry Ticket Assignments & Questions- 10 Points

        Mechatronics Engineering Plan For Today:
        • Entry Ticket - Machine Design
        • Signup for LinkedIn
        • LinkedIn Lecture
        • Robot Club / Open Lab
        • Clean Up



        Sign Up For LinkedIn
        Linked In Lecture (Aspira)
        • Lecture/Presentation - Duration: 15 Min
        • Link: LinkedIn Profile Checklist (Aspira)
        • Instructions & Expectations: Listen and take notes in your Interactive Lab Book. If needed review the posted slide presentation
        Robot Club and/or Open LAB 
        • LAB - Duration: 60 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.  
        • Dig Deeper: Open Lab:
        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

        Labels: