Laptops for Learning - Mobile Mentoring (The Wellington MakerSpace)

By Lee Bennett

NZ $2,700 pledged


38 people pledged


Closed


NZ $2,500 minimum target


100 100% Complete

This campaign was successful and closed on 20/02/2013 at 9:19 AM.

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About

Laptops For Learning - Mobile Mentoring (The Wellington MakerSpace)

Project 2013-01-22 06:10:51 +1300

 ******Thanks for all the pledges so far!  If we oversubscribe, we're going to buy another self-service laser for the Van and also a mini-CNC mill, so please do keep them coming :) ******


The Wellington MakerSpace has been around for nearly a year and we've survived by spending all our savings, doing classic commission-type work and charging people for our time as we push on towards our goal of providing a community space for Makers.

We've learned a lot in a short time and now is the time to do what we really set out to do in the first place - help our fellow humans learn and make their own cool stuff!

****Drum roll***

We're absolutely stoked to be opening our brand new not-for-profit 'MemberSpace' and we've ploughed all our cash, time and favours into renovating the top floor of our building on Vivian Street in Wellington- into what we think is a pretty cool shared space! A space where learning, workshops and making activities can take place. YOUR space.
 
We want everyone and anyone to experience our in-house 'Maker' technologies like '3D printing', 'Laser cutting' and 'CNC machining' especially those kids and people who are getting left behind with technology because of money [or the lack of it] - we really want to close that gap and hopefully help these people create great new products and businesses too.



Here's where you come in...

Well, since we started, in between jobs, we have donated at least 1 day per week -sometimes more- to helping 'at risk' kids and Youth experience life a little differently and try and get them interested in the sort of cool toys and projects we play with and take for granted!

*3D printers
*robots
*Laser Cutters
*Arduino electronics
*Rockets
*Pulse Jets
*Creature design
*special effects ...

...basically all the stuff that they see in the movies everyday, but maybe think it's a pipedream, unobtainable - well pffffft to that. We like to think that anyone or everyone can do this stuff or should be able to.

We think this because most of us at the Wellington Makerspace and our friends have actually been paid to do this for real in the movies and we think this knowledge should be shared around the place not just on the big screen!



"Yeah but what do you actually need from me? Get on with it!" - OK, OK

For the last few months we've been hard at work trying to put together a mobile version of The Wellington Makerspace, which should enable those less fortunate individuals and organisations who don't have transport for 12 kids to our Vivian Street space get much needed access to technology and learning.

Our friends at Wellington City Council love us and are backing us every step of the way but we can only ask so much of them! We have spent all of our own cash and sourced a CNC router, laser cutter and 3D Printer for mobile use -but we are severely lacking in processing power :( we need laptops -12 to be precise..and that's where you awesome people and Pledge Me come in :)

All our machines need to be given commands because contrary to popular belief they're not very clever and the laptops enable our intrepid technology adventurers learn how to download, create models, CAD/draw/sculpt and communicate with other 'Makers' in their projects as well as send commands to the machines.

We regularly run classes and can never scrounge enough laptops! Desktops aren't much use as they're too clumsy and time consuming to set up off site :( making less efficient use of 'fun time' for the kids. So the more laptops we have the more kids we can help - simple!

And we're mindful to keep things affordable for communities and to reduce or remove any barrier to their involvement.  Part of this strategy involves reducing costs and can include blackmailing corporates, coercing big business, selling our bodies and even crowdsourcing/funding -and to be honest- if Pledgeme doesn't work this time- we'll sell our houses ;) That's how committed we are ..in any case we will have 12 laptops for our kids to use this year whatever it takes ;)

Here's one of the laptops we bought to test out our software...look how happy the guinea pigs are :)

So we've been offered an amazing deal on 12 laptops. Not brand new, but well specified to be able to run all our software and more and should be good for a year or 2. Obviously brand new laptops would be awesome - but we can't expect anyone to sponsor a brand new laptop.



As stated before - we've funded everything from our own pockets and we're really proud of the space we've created - where anyone can join our community, use our tools and access ideas or to work on projects.  We've seen water-rockets, arduino/USB game controllers, PVC long-bows, zombies, Kindle-eaters, furniture, sculpture, plaster face casts, stage props and bird-man kids costumes, all come to life in the space and it's only possible due to the generosity of our Members, students, volunteers and plain making-mad people from around the region.

If you think we're on the right track and if you believe that the less fortunate in our society should be allowed to take part in the new 'making' movement too... and that it would be awesome if we could take this on the road...and that making job opportunities for anyone to teach using this mobile gear... and that sharing some fun learning with the kids that need it is maybe a good thing to support, we at The Wellington MakerSpace thank you for even contemplating making a pledge to help :)

Thanks again :)
Lee Bennett, Steven Almond, Kai Ma and Brady Keuch
The Wellington MakerSpace.



Comments

Updates 1

Thanks!! We're going to do this aren't we!

31/01/2013 at 3:43 AM

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the pledges so far, can't believe we're half way to target in only 4 days.  If we oversubscribe we will purchase a laser cutter and mill for the van too, and subsidise the teaching time so even more kids can participate.  You guys all rock thanks again!!

    Pledgers 38

    Marielle Lange
    20/02/2013 at 9:19am
    Julie
    11/02/2013 at 11:39am
    Sue Tyler
    08/02/2013 at 9:51pm
    Paul Dutch
    07/02/2013 at 3:22pm
    Josh Forde
    07/02/2013 at 11:32am
    Mohawk Media
    07/02/2013 at 10:43am
    DK
    07/02/2013 at 10:08am
    Leahna
    06/02/2013 at 8:36pm
    tiago
    06/02/2013 at 7:00pm
    Steve Bagshaw
    06/02/2013 at 11:00am
    Brian Martin
    05/02/2013 at 7:01pm
    Catherine Leining
    05/02/2013 at 5:14pm
    Nicola Price
    04/02/2013 at 12:12pm
    Victoria Quade
    04/02/2013 at 11:47am
    Viv Maidaborn
    04/02/2013 at 10:29am
    Kim
    03/02/2013 at 8:31pm
    Keila Bowling
    03/02/2013 at 1:23pm
    Raf Manji
    02/02/2013 at 1:20pm
    Anake Goodall
    02/02/2013 at 12:37pm
    Reynold Tagore
    01/02/2013 at 10:43pm
    Z.MacDonald
    01/02/2013 at 8:38pm
    Tarique Naseem
    01/02/2013 at 6:09pm
    Richard Fortune
    01/02/2013 at 12:25pm
    Nigel McTaptik
    01/02/2013 at 8:33am
    Michelle Burke
    31/01/2013 at 3:14pm
    Ansonia
    31/01/2013 at 3:00pm
    Linda Thomas
    30/01/2013 at 11:09pm
    Tim Stokes
    30/01/2013 at 3:13pm
    Zach Rissel
    30/01/2013 at 2:06pm
    Jane Arthur
    30/01/2013 at 8:29am

    Followers 1

    Followers of Laptops for Learning - Mobile Mentoring (The Wellington MakerSpace)

    Laptops For Learning - Mobile Mentoring (The Wellington MakerSpace)

    Project 2013-01-22 06:10:51 +1300

     ******Thanks for all the pledges so far!  If we oversubscribe, we're going to buy another self-service laser for the Van and also a mini-CNC mill, so please do keep them coming :) ******


    The Wellington MakerSpace has been around for nearly a year and we've survived by spending all our savings, doing classic commission-type work and charging people for our time as we push on towards our goal of providing a community space for Makers.

    We've learned a lot in a short time and now is the time to do what we really set out to do in the first place - help our fellow humans learn and make their own cool stuff!

    ****Drum roll***

    We're absolutely stoked to be opening our brand new not-for-profit 'MemberSpace' and we've ploughed all our cash, time and favours into renovating the top floor of our building on Vivian Street in Wellington- into what we think is a pretty cool shared space! A space where learning, workshops and making activities can take place. YOUR space.
     
    We want everyone and anyone to experience our in-house 'Maker' technologies like '3D printing', 'Laser cutting' and 'CNC machining' especially those kids and people who are getting left behind with technology because of money [or the lack of it] - we really want to close that gap and hopefully help these people create great new products and businesses too.



    Here's where you come in...

    Well, since we started, in between jobs, we have donated at least 1 day per week -sometimes more- to helping 'at risk' kids and Youth experience life a little differently and try and get them interested in the sort of cool toys and projects we play with and take for granted!

    *3D printers
    *robots
    *Laser Cutters
    *Arduino electronics
    *Rockets
    *Pulse Jets
    *Creature design
    *special effects ...

    ...basically all the stuff that they see in the movies everyday, but maybe think it's a pipedream, unobtainable - well pffffft to that. We like to think that anyone or everyone can do this stuff or should be able to.

    We think this because most of us at the Wellington Makerspace and our friends have actually been paid to do this for real in the movies and we think this knowledge should be shared around the place not just on the big screen!



    "Yeah but what do you actually need from me? Get on with it!" - OK, OK

    For the last few months we've been hard at work trying to put together a mobile version of The Wellington Makerspace, which should enable those less fortunate individuals and organisations who don't have transport for 12 kids to our Vivian Street space get much needed access to technology and learning.

    Our friends at Wellington City Council love us and are backing us every step of the way but we can only ask so much of them! We have spent all of our own cash and sourced a CNC router, laser cutter and 3D Printer for mobile use -but we are severely lacking in processing power :( we need laptops -12 to be precise..and that's where you awesome people and Pledge Me come in :)

    All our machines need to be given commands because contrary to popular belief they're not very clever and the laptops enable our intrepid technology adventurers learn how to download, create models, CAD/draw/sculpt and communicate with other 'Makers' in their projects as well as send commands to the machines.

    We regularly run classes and can never scrounge enough laptops! Desktops aren't much use as they're too clumsy and time consuming to set up off site :( making less efficient use of 'fun time' for the kids. So the more laptops we have the more kids we can help - simple!

    And we're mindful to keep things affordable for communities and to reduce or remove any barrier to their involvement.  Part of this strategy involves reducing costs and can include blackmailing corporates, coercing big business, selling our bodies and even crowdsourcing/funding -and to be honest- if Pledgeme doesn't work this time- we'll sell our houses ;) That's how committed we are ..in any case we will have 12 laptops for our kids to use this year whatever it takes ;)

    Here's one of the laptops we bought to test out our software...look how happy the guinea pigs are :)

    So we've been offered an amazing deal on 12 laptops. Not brand new, but well specified to be able to run all our software and more and should be good for a year or 2. Obviously brand new laptops would be awesome - but we can't expect anyone to sponsor a brand new laptop.



    As stated before - we've funded everything from our own pockets and we're really proud of the space we've created - where anyone can join our community, use our tools and access ideas or to work on projects.  We've seen water-rockets, arduino/USB game controllers, PVC long-bows, zombies, Kindle-eaters, furniture, sculpture, plaster face casts, stage props and bird-man kids costumes, all come to life in the space and it's only possible due to the generosity of our Members, students, volunteers and plain making-mad people from around the region.

    If you think we're on the right track and if you believe that the less fortunate in our society should be allowed to take part in the new 'making' movement too... and that it would be awesome if we could take this on the road...and that making job opportunities for anyone to teach using this mobile gear... and that sharing some fun learning with the kids that need it is maybe a good thing to support, we at The Wellington MakerSpace thank you for even contemplating making a pledge to help :)

    Thanks again :)
    Lee Bennett, Steven Almond, Kai Ma and Brady Keuch
    The Wellington MakerSpace.



    Comments

    Thanks!! We're going to do this aren't we!

    31/01/2013 at 3:43 AM

    Just a quick note to say thanks for all the pledges so far, can't believe we're half way to target in only 4 days.  If we oversubscribe we will purchase a laser cutter and mill for the van too, and subsidise the teaching time so even more kids can participate.  You guys all rock thanks again!!

      Marielle Lange
      20/02/2013 at 9:19am
      Julie
      11/02/2013 at 11:39am
      Sue Tyler
      08/02/2013 at 9:51pm
      Paul Dutch
      07/02/2013 at 3:22pm
      Josh Forde
      07/02/2013 at 11:32am
      Mohawk Media
      07/02/2013 at 10:43am
      DK
      07/02/2013 at 10:08am
      Leahna
      06/02/2013 at 8:36pm
      tiago
      06/02/2013 at 7:00pm
      Steve Bagshaw
      06/02/2013 at 11:00am
      Brian Martin
      05/02/2013 at 7:01pm
      Catherine Leining
      05/02/2013 at 5:14pm
      Nicola Price
      04/02/2013 at 12:12pm
      Victoria Quade
      04/02/2013 at 11:47am
      Viv Maidaborn
      04/02/2013 at 10:29am
      Kim
      03/02/2013 at 8:31pm
      Keila Bowling
      03/02/2013 at 1:23pm
      Raf Manji
      02/02/2013 at 1:20pm
      Anake Goodall
      02/02/2013 at 12:37pm
      Reynold Tagore
      01/02/2013 at 10:43pm
      Z.MacDonald
      01/02/2013 at 8:38pm
      Tarique Naseem
      01/02/2013 at 6:09pm
      Richard Fortune
      01/02/2013 at 12:25pm
      Nigel McTaptik
      01/02/2013 at 8:33am
      Michelle Burke
      31/01/2013 at 3:14pm
      Ansonia
      31/01/2013 at 3:00pm
      Linda Thomas
      30/01/2013 at 11:09pm
      Tim Stokes
      30/01/2013 at 3:13pm
      Zach Rissel
      30/01/2013 at 2:06pm
      Jane Arthur
      30/01/2013 at 8:29am

      Followers of Laptops for Learning - Mobile Mentoring (The Wellington MakerSpace)

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 20/02/2013 at 9:19 AM.