Creativity & Cognition 2022 WORKSHOP

Morphing Artifacts for Creative STEM Explorations

June 20, 2022 | Half Day Workshop

Create underwater transformations with Morphing Matter

Morphing Matter (MM) is a multidisciplinary field that combines material science and digital fabrication to create shape-changing and dynamic interfaces. This workshop aims to (1) introduce the basic concept, computational design and hands-on fabrication techniques of underwater morphing beads powered by hydrogels, and (2) collectively explore creative opportunities and barriers to introducing emerging STEM concepts and skills to novice learners of MM.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Build your own morphing artifact with morphing hydrogel beads
Use a generative design tool to design and simulate water-triggered morphing mechanism
Group discussions and ideation in the context of STEM
Timelapse documentation of the underwater morphing artifact

AM I A GOOD FIT TO ATTEND

The workshop is open to all :)
It may be particularly interesting for you to attend if you are a designer, maker, and researcher who is interested in hands-on STEM learning and maker education.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Email: liningy@andrew.cmu.edu

Register Now

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WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - Half Day

Welcome and Introductions

Introductions and presentation about morphing materials. We will start broad, and then focus on one technique - actuating a paper substrate using hydrogel beads.
Pre-Workshop Discussion

Discussion around how Morphing Materials can serve as a creative medium to support STEM learning, facilitate professional and artistic endeavors, and solve real world problems.
Computational Design and Simulation

Use our software design tool to simulate your first morphing structure. There are options to create kirigami, and branch based geometries. Thereafter design a form keeping an end user in mind.
Hands-on Prototyping

Physically prototype the form designed in the software tool using provided materials - hydrogel beads, vellum paper, tweezers, superglue etc., and submerge them in a water tank to complete the morphing process. Opportunity to do photography of the artifacts on the island.
Show and Tell

Share your sources of inspiration, what you intended to solve, present the artifact, and describe your creation process.
Reflection and Discussion

Discuss how this process and toolkit can assist in developing similar interest driven STEM learning toolkits to foster young individuals’ interest. Share some key takeaways from the process.