The Wire
Spring MicroProject: The D.I.Y. Contest!
On April 3rd, 2012 by Naomi
This Spring...Everything Will Change!
Your MicroProject will be bigger...faster...stronger...and basically way more epic. It will be the...
Of course, a bigger project means bigger prizes--keep reading to find out what! The deadline for this project has been extended to Friday, May 25. Read on to find out how it's done...
What It Is:
"D.I.Y." stands for "Do It Yourself"--what you're doing is creating a tool that will teach others how to do something that you already know how to do. This tool can be almost anything--read on for suggestions and examples. For more background information, you can read the K-Base article on it here.
How It’s Done:
You can work by yourself, with a friend or two, or with your entire Squad! The basic steps are:
- Brainstorm: Think about things that you know how to do well, that other people might want to learn, too. For some more tips on brainstorming and testing your ideas, click here.
- Plan it: Think about different ways you can share the lesson you want to teach, keeping in mind what kind of equipment (cameras? flipcams? graphic design or web design programs?) you have access to. Remember you can look at past MicroProjects for tools, too!
- Submit your project! Create a public blog post with the title "DIY Project" and embed or attach you completed project. If you worked with a partner or a group, make sure you list the names of everyone who worked on it. If your project is too big a file to attach or embed, or if it's a physical item, email [email protected] for details on how to submit. The deadline has been extended to Friday, May 25!
Check out the 2011 D.I.Y. Contest Winners from last year!
Last year the Grand Prize went to the CHIPS Squad at Kipp Summit Academy in San Lorenzo, CA, for their video Computer Time Travel, which does a thorough and hilarious job teaching how to use Microsoft Security Essentials. Watch it here!
The First Place prize went to The Mouse Squad at Berta Dreyfus, at Berta Dreyfus Middle School in Staten Island, NY, for their video blog Nerd Advice, which offers life advice for teenagers from a nerd's perspective, starting with a video called "How to Make Someone Listen to You." Check out their blog here!
Having Trouble Getting Started?
Pick a topic that you and your Squad are experts on, or have recently learned a lot about! Your topic can be about almost anything--here are some suggestions:
- Hardware how-to's: Replace a sound card or add RAM to a computer.
- Software how-to's: Set up parallel desktops, run a virus scan, or install and update open-source software.
- Creative how-to's: Play with HTML, create a circuit, make an exciting audio recording, make and edit videos, or create 3D images.
- Mouse Squad how-to's: Solve a problem as a team, help someone who doesn't know much about computers, use CaseTracker, or present yourself in a professional way.
Pick a format that makes sense for the topic you want to teach AND that you have the resources (equipment and knowledge) to create. Some formats you might consider are:
- Video
- Website
- Podcast (or other sound format)
- PowerPoint, Prezi, or Glogster presentation
- Zine or pamphlet
You know your strengths and interests better than anyone else, so if there's something your Squad is fabulous at that isn't on either of these lists, go for it!
Important Reminders: Prizes! Glory! Deadlines!
The deadline has been extended to Friday, May 25th. Submit your D.I.Y. Project on time for a shot at glory and fabulous prizes!
Winners will get some great gear for their Squads:
- The Grand Prize Winner will receive a Lego Mindstorms NXT Kit OR a $250 gift certificate for B&H Photo, Video, and Pro Audio Store or Maker Shed!
- Runner-Ups will receive a personal pizza party for their Mouse Squad!
Each Mouse Squad is encouraged to submit as many D.I.Y. projects as you like. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 6!
