Sylvia's Super-Awesome Maker Show! - at home

RoboBrrd to the Rescue!

Super-Awesome Sylvia — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 21:06:54 +0000

While we were at Bay Area Maker Faire 2012, out of nowhere, Robotgrrl came up to us and asked if I wanted her one and only, WaterBrrd! Of course I said yes!

I bet you're wondering what this RoboBrrd stuff is all about....

RoboBrrd started out as an interactive robot made of felt, popsicle sticks and an Arduino. Now, Robotgrrl is making it into an easy to solder board and lasercut kit for making your very own open source RoboBrrd!

The kit isn’t quite done yet (it’s hard to put together a kit!), so I just got the wood parts that she made using the laser at Evil Mad Science Laboratories!! Muahahaha!

To make the wings flap, we used paper clips as armatures connected to little blue servos mounted in the rectangle holes behind the eyes.

For the beak, it was a lot trickier! With the top and bottom beak parts loose, I figured out that with some cardboard and a paperclip triangle, you could keep it steady and open and close it. The servo at the back just pushes and pulls the cardboard.

When its fully completed, I want to make my WaterBrrd say my tweets by chirping and flapping its wings twice, or have it tell me the weather and current temperature. The possibilities are endless!

For right now, its flapping its wings, beaking around, blinking its eyes, and talking with an old android phone my dad hooked up. The programming was all done by me.

I used an Arduino Uno and programmed it very easily. It is just like scratch, except with words and semicolons. The robobrrd will be a great kit and I can’t wait till it comes out! GO ROBOBRRD!!!!!

Sylvia in print +New features, episodes & posts!

TechNinja — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 12:13:34 +0000

That's right, "Super-Awesome" Sylvia is in MAKE: Issue 30! Head over to the MakerShed (or your favorite newsstand) and pick up as many as they'll let you buy at once!!

Not only does it have Sylvia waxing nostalgic of her favorite moments at Maker Faire, but it's chock full of amazing and unique projects that you could get out there and make.

Though it's been quite a while since our last blog post (and video) we're glad to say everything is just fine, and that's one of the reasons we're so slow to catch up. First, announcing two brand new site features: Printables, a place we'll be storing everything we make that's worth of sharing and duplicating at home, and Press, where we'll be posting quotes and links to articles/reblogs about the show, and it's also a good starting place for people who might want to know more about the show but don't know where to start. Also we've switched the comments over to Disqus, seeing as the spam problem was just not going away.

Also, since the last blog post we've been to the amazing Exploratorium Open MAKE:, The Parallax Expo, and Sunday 4/22/2012 we'll be heading off to Robogames! (thanks to goading from RobotGrrl)

We'll have photos, video and blog posts for most of these events coming in the next few weeks so stay tuned!

Sylvia's Squishy Circuits

Dadmin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:56:25 +0000

Mini

Are you curious about experimenting with electronics, but the fear of electric shock or soldering iron burns keep you away? Why not try squishy circuits! With a special recipe of food-safe, kitchen-made, pliable dough developed at the University of St. Thomas, kids of all ages can easily use their hands to mold their very own simple circuits right before their eyes! Lets go!

Ep. Number

See this post on MakeZine.com

Favorite Comments

robman2100I never understood the flow of electricity until now.. I am 26 years of age and love this show. good job.
guitarbradSylvia is energetic, fun and is teaching other kids about electronics and other projects in a thorough yet safe manner. You go girl! You are awesome!
Loki95531You rock Sylvia! Most excellent description of how a circuit works.
HachinizationMonths of grade 9 science rolled up in less than 7 minutes.. But more entertaining. LOL well done!
arcaderat100You make science way more interesting!
RocstoneauI'm 54 and this is the 1st time I understood how electricity works. My old teachers should have done this, I would have learnt more and not looked out the window all the time.
vincentleestthis is awesome!! greeting from an electrical engineering student!! Its always exciting to see your show!! :D friggin Copper atoms and their electrons.. ;p

Season

Sylvia Sews Super-Soft Circuitry

Dadmin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:03:15 +0000

Mini

I bet you didn’t know that there’s a soft side to the hard edged fiberglass boarded electronics you know and love, and it’s called Soft Circuitry! With a little bit conductive thread, some fabric and a little more imagination, you can make your own glowey eyed cuddle monster in an afternoon. Let's go!

Ep. Number

See this post on MakeZine.com

Favorite Comments

amigaknightSylvia is too cool for school!!
StoneVHSylvia, You Rock, Girl!! A gifted treasure of inspiration tucked inside a whip-smart, adorable little girl. The world needs more like you! And, you've got cross-over appeal, too!! Young....and not so young love your show. Keep it up!
HammerFETEPIC POINTING THING!!!
LedgerLinesMan I have yet to make one thing from your show (well some I had already done when I was younger), but I tune in EVERY episode. You have a great presence on camera kid, and I bet I'll be seeing you on TV some day maybe discovery or science channel. Keep up the awesome show let's see craft mom and tech dad!

Season

Sylvia Shows How to Make a Cardboard Periscope

Dadmin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:55:16 +0000

Mini

We're diving deep for an easy build you can do in an afternoon: your very own cardboard periscope!

With only a bit of cardboard, some mirrors, glue, a ruler and a little bit of time you can make something that bends light to your will, around corners and over fences. This one's so easy, you'd be crazy not to try it!

Ep. Number

See this post on MakeZine.com

Favorite Comments

TheEmeraldI think I like Sylvia better than Collin. There, I said it. :O
awesomejoe12you should do a Sylvia's Super Awesome Massive Maker Show and build the submarine to go with the periscope.
arronshuttAnother excellent video. I think I shall be showing this one to my niece and nephew..
guns4goodAlways interesting to watch your videos, Sylvia! This one is pretty cool! For night time observing, paint the interior (and exterior) of the scope flat black, that'll help you see better through it on those super secret night spy ops! ;-)
toonmonkeyYou are awesome! Keep up the cool experiments!

Season

Sylvia shows how to etch copper

Dadmin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:57:21 +0000

Mini

Did you ever want to upgrade your bread-boarded circuits to something more permanent? Or maybe you’ve got a hankering to make your own metal jewelry? In this episode, I’ll show you how you can do both. With super simple copper etching. Let's go!

If you're looking to make the awesome things I did in this video, here's the resources for the Celtic Rose, and the Nootropic Design video experimenter shield.

Ep. Number

See this post on MakeZine.com

Favorite Comments

3DeityThat is bloody excellent - I've been looking for a way to make preamp and amplifier face plates. Copper and Letraset plus lacquer is expensive, looks rubbish and you're limited to what fonts you can get. This open the lid on creativity! Many thanks! :o)
DosbomberI don't think this was mentioned in the video, but if you're making a circuit board (PCB), make sure your image is reversed from how you want it to appear from the copper side. In other words, make your copper layer as through you're looking at it from the component side. If your traces and pads end up in the wrong orientation, your ICs won't install correctly and you could even damage some components. Also, a laminator works MUCH better than an iron, if you can afford one.
nicholsa55This is the next Kari Byron from mythbusters!!!
BadBadMannersSSAMMS - best thing on makemagazine.
lazrpoThis kid wins at everything.
metalx1000I always love Sylvia's show. They are simple and fun. I've seen other video on this subject, but this was explained way better. I also love the fact that she uses Linux.
whisperingsageWell, this takes the fear out of doing this. It's good to see an example.
DrDissentThis kid should be on the Discovery channel.
shegar2011the pendant was awesome :D
MattDarezThanks smart bot :D
makedaevilmageBee scientific :P
dunnoson2009Excellent mini show as always! keep it up!
TheEmeraldThis show always inspires me to make somethin'
jpoopistReally, REALLY awesome

Season

Sylvia Builds the Monochron Clock Kit

Dadmin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:59:21 +0000

Mini

Need to tell the time, but looking for something less boring than a regular clock? Why not try the Monochron clock kit from Adafruit! Soldering, LCDs programming and clocks, the best things you can get in a project.

Once you get your own Monochron up and running, make sure to try out the MarioChron! Our very own Mario themed clock face. Get the source code here, or get the Intel HEX file ready to upload directly to the Monochron here. If you're not sure how to update the clock, be sure and check outLadyada's instructions here.

Ep. Number

See this post on MakeZine.com

Favorite Comments

Early666is it just me or does Monochron sound like glados?
MueleskiGreat video, I like the idea of our young ones getting in to making things. Plus this young lady is a regular firecracker.
TwoScrewsLooseThis little girl is better than I am at soldering. o.o
And I'm an electrical engineer.
awesomejoe12I wish my alarm clock had proton torpedoes....and a TARDIS....
NOLAMarathon2010Too cute. (And great video editing.) I'm hitting it with a "like".
Shinigaara85The answer is 42. What was the question?
radicalvashspiegalThe baconwrappedbacon is a lie!
jacgoudsmitAwesome as always! But someone really should donate a better soldering iron to Sylvia...
church132"my life was so simple, nobody tried to kill me, or put me in a little kid's clock, or get attacked by neighborhood kids."

Season

Make your own no heat Lava Lamp

Dadmin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:15:14 +0000

Mini

We'll show you how to make your own groovy lava lamp, no heat required! All you need are a few things you just might have in your kitchen.

Ep. Number

See this post on MakeZine.com

Favorite Comments

nemoDaedalusThis simply is the best Make has to offer nowadays. I subbed for the Weekend Projects, I wanna watch people actually make stuff. And I don't see that anymore. It seems Make only has vids of already completed projects: "So you guys made a fully automatic pingpong table?" Ok, I want to SEE people create a fully automatic pingpong table, and then learn from it! And imo only Sylvia shows how to do stuff - and throws in a little chemistry lesson while she's at it.
YesIamJamesAwesome video. I hope that kid keeps her passion for science.
kaikaipandaHaving studied chemistry for years, I can say this girl is gonna be a frigging amazing scientist!
musicalmike235You know, this is one of the few youtube video series hosted by a kid that is actually good. I mean it. She is actually really good.
audiomodderyou guys should see if you can get this on PBS. i would totally bribe my kid to watch stuff like this.
lptangcuangcothumbs up if you saw the oil molecule change emotion!
airsofteerSo now you have to decide whether you want to learn about molecular polarity or matter states!
TheSupertecnologywhat?! a child can work for makemagazine?! why didn´t anybody told me?! i´m going to get job now!!!

Season

Sylvia Builds the LOL Shield Kit

Dadmin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:08:10 +0000

Mini

Ep. Number

Need to be seen and love soldering in LEDs? Try the LOL (Lots Of LEDs) shield by Jimmie Rodgers! Just solder, plug in your Arduino, program and you've got your very own charlieplexed LED array to use as you please. Lets go build it!

See this post on MakeZine.com

Season

All about Mod Podge

Dadmin — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:13:14 +0000

Full

Mod Podge! The amazing, dries-clear, do-it-all sealant for every craft project under the sun can make your art sparkle, your delicate scrap-booking or photos touchable and permanent, and even wood and fabric better than ever.

In today's episode, we delve into the amazing and crafty depths of Mod Podge! Showing you how to make three cool projects: A storybook puzzle set, a custom chess/draughts/checkers board, and a "you" inspired plaque.

All of them are cheap, fun and so easy you'll be crazy not to give them a try! Go on.. get out there and make something!

Links for this episode:

Storybook Puzzle:
http://sn.im/modpodge-puzzle

Custom Game Board (not a link to the thrifty chick blog post, as it's no longer available):
http://sn.im/modpodge-gameboards

You inspired Plaque:
http://modpodgerocksblog.com

Sylvia's Super-Awesome Maker Show! - at home

RoboBrrd to the Rescue!

Tags

Sylvia in print +New features, episodes & posts!

Tags

Sylvia's Squishy Circuits

Ep. Number

Favorite Comments

Season

Sylvia Sews Super-Soft Circuitry

Ep. Number

Favorite Comments

Season

Sylvia Shows How to Make a Cardboard Periscope

Ep. Number

Favorite Comments

Season

Sylvia shows how to etch copper

Ep. Number

Favorite Comments

Season

Sylvia Builds the Monochron Clock Kit

Ep. Number

Favorite Comments

Season

Make your own no heat Lava Lamp

Ep. Number

Favorite Comments

Season

Sylvia Builds the LOL Shield Kit

Ep. Number

Season

All about Mod Podge

Links for this episode:

Ep. Number

Season