Paignton Library STEM Group

PaigntonLibraryStemGroup

Minetest

I have now set up a Minetest server on a Raspberry Pi. This works and I am able to ssh in to the Pi and start remotely.

Minetest

I have also set up a 3.5” Pi screen, set the pi to auto login and display the IP address(s) of the Pi. I followed some of the instructions at [2],[3] to set up the screen but didn't need the sections for setting up the gui.

The next step is to set up a router so try and provide an internal network at the library for playing minetest. I followed so

  1. Minetest
  2. 3.5 Inch RPi Display Touch – XPT2046 (480x320) Guide – Raspberry Pi Forums part 1
  3. pi 3 – What have you done to make generic TFT touchscreen display work? – Raspberry Pi Stack Exchange part 2

Should be able to bring some of this to the STEM Group on Saturday and probably need help setting up the router to provide a simple LAN.

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#Games,#MineTest,#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics

Simple motor and fan

I have built this as part of a robot car project, However this set up works better as a stand-alone fan, than it does to drive a small wheeled vehicle forward. So sharing anyway.

Given the problems, give me a Chemistry set any day.

Video

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STEM Group 24th February 2024 Write Up

Today we had an update from Helen with her Advanced Lego car, this is going really well and can find objects and now turns to avoid them. It can also display information on orientation on a small LCD.

feb 24th

After giving the hot glue gun a quick clean and repair. This photo is posed as the glue gun is still plugged in.

feb 24th

We carried on with building the cars, we have been trying to build for the last few sessions. The main issue is lack of suitable resources and having to use bottle tops for wheels, kebab sticks for axels and then trying to fit it all together, when we also have either faulty or unsuitable switches, some don't work properly,, and along with motors have been soldered up too many times.

feb 24th

I also checked on my Copper Sulfate crystals I started last week, the liquid has now evaporated leaving some crystals in the dish, not ideal, but I need a much better way to do all this.

feb 24th

Next event

Saturday 9th March 2024

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#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup,#STEM,#Event

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics

STEM Group 24th February 2024

The next Stem group event will take place on :

Date: Saturday Feb 24th 2024 Time: 10:30am to 15:00 Location: Paignton Library and Information Centre Room: 12

Please remember you need to bring your OWN resources such as wire, solder, glue sticks, components etc.

We can carry on with :-

  • Robot car projects
  • Have a look at the results of dropping a gummy sweet in to Vinegar
  • Hopefully have a look at some Copper Sulfate crystals, I set this up on 17/2/2024
  • What ever else people bring along to the event.
  • Coding activities can still take place in the IT learning centre

Video

Tags

#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup,#STEM,#Event

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics

STEM Group Robot Lego Car

Video of the basic robot Lego car project from the STEM group. Thank you to Helen for building this from one of our kits.

Video

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#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup,#STEM

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics

STEM Group SpiderBot

Video of the spider bot project from the STEM group. Thank you to Helen for building this from one of our kits.

Video

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STEM Group 10th February 2024 Write up

So today there were a total of 4 people who attended, Helen demonstrated various robots made from Lego. We also carried on making the poor man version with scraps of card, scraps of wire, motors and milk bottle tops. This method is NOT working, but it is ALL we have access to.

stem1

Cardboard Car 1

stem1

Cardboard Car 2

stem1

Lego car 1

This robot is mega advanced, has the ability to range find so it knows where it is in relation to obstacles, has a build in IP camera, and can move, by next meeting more features will be added. It also uses an IR remote control.

Something to aim for when you start building projects.

stem1

Lego car 2

This is the robot just moves very fast across the room.

We also tried to do more chemistry but ended up just adding vinegar to bicarbonate of Soda.

I will try and get the Lego We do sorted out for next time, as I need time to pick up the Tablets, then will need help to get them to connect to the Lego via Bluetooth, which I struggle with.

Next Stem group meeting is on Saturday 24th Feb at Paignton Library, room 12, between 10:30 and 15:00.

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#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup,#STEM,#Event

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics

STEM Group 10th February 2024

The next Stem group event will take place on :

Date: Saturday Feb 10th 2024 Time: 10:30am to 15:00 Location: Paignton Library and Information Centre Room: 12

Please remember you need to bring your OWN resources such as wire, solder, glue sticks, components etc.

We will probably carry on with the robot car we have been working on and see what people bring with them to showcase.

Video

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#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup,#STEM,#Event

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics

Making a Sodium Chloride Solution attempt 1

So using the calculations we did in the previous video. I attempt to make this up.

This attempt worked well, as I had the solution at what looked like just under 100ml, I have to go by the meniscus on the water, so attempting to add a tiny drop more of water, I ended up going right over.

I have included anyway, and will make a second, learn from my previous effort and attempt to avoid the error by using a dropper for the final few millilitres of water. .

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#Chemistry,#Making,#SodiumChloride,#Solution,#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup

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STEM Group 9th September 2023 – Details

As previously mentioned, we will be in room 12, as there is more room for STEM activities. This gives us more space, access to resources as well as sinks, work surfaces and other items.

I have planned some practical science activities which will be around using Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar. To keep things simple I will just set up TWO experiments.

This will be:

  • Using this mixture in a zip lock bag to demonstrate air pressure
  • Make a cool pack. This demonstrates Endothermic reactions
  • Planning and risk assessment can be found here

In addition to this we can still do

  • Computing
    • As the programmable caterpillars proved popular, I have requested if we can have them again for September

And take a look at what people bring with them.

More info

Please get in touch for further details or to suggest ideas. Please check back here for updates to what is planned or see my main blog for more frequent updates.

Links

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#PaigntonLibrarySTEMGroup,

#PaigntonLibraryStemGroup,#Science.#Technology,#Engineering,#Mathematics