EMF Camp 2014

ElectroMagnetic Field 2014
Near Milton Keynes, last weekend of the school holidays.

The light saber workshop kick-started the weekend and broke the ice with all the kids - swimming pool noodles + tape.

Kite-mapping was fun - we attached a camera to a picovet hanging from string of kite and launched it from the field.  The resulting photos showed the landscape emerging every 3 seconds as the camera rose.





There was a very popular retro gaming tent where kids tried Pacman ("it's great!") and Indiana Jones pinball (I had the top score) for the first time.

A gigantic LAN tent with Free Quake for Linux; a badge made from a micro-controller with LCD screen -  TiLDA MKe -

We hammered silver rings, played with makeymakey, learned how to pick locks and tasted freshly made Dutch waffles.

Laser-cutting was cool - perspex dragons sketched on paper, drawn in Flash, exported to Inkscape and tidied up for the hardware.  These were inspired by hanging birds and mobiles.



Press comments: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/03/electromagnetic-field-camp-emfcamp-drones-arduino-burning-man

laser cut dragon pair

Student Environmental Enrichment Course

I attended the 17th S.E.E.C. (Student Environmental Enrichment Course), run by The Shape of Enrichment, from 4-7 August 2014.

We attended lectures and did some practical workshops in rope splicing and fire-hose weaving at Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary, followed by a design and production session to create new toys and environmental enrichment for the inhabitants.

Here we are, installing some new devices - dynamic branches, seesaw, herb baskets and hammocks.  The best part was standing back to watch the capuchins and macaques enter their enclosures again and begin to explore all the toys...

I

Capuchin exploring packet of ice and strawberries

Macaque on the swinging branch, playing with rope