 I was recently contacted by Chris Connors of
Duxbury HighSchool (Duxbury, MA) in regards to a contest that he was holding for his students. Chris teaches TechnologyEducation at this highschool and decided he would hold a contest to see which of his students could come up with the best hack, he called it HackContest05. He asked if I would be interested in judging the contest along with a few others. The students would be able to submit their hacks to an online site, Duxtech, for others to see. I of course accepted, as I find this as a very interesting topic... A school SUPPORTING Hacking? Are the times changing?
I was able to get an interview with Chris about this contest, and I hope that other highschools may follow his lead. Chris's progressive thinking has shown that the word "hack" may be losing its negative connotations. If you are in highschool, know someone who is, or know any school teachers/administrators I suggest you forward them this interview. I personally look forward to a day were all highschools allow their students to (sorry for the cliche) think outside of the box and create inventive solutions to problems they face in their everyday lives.
If you are a student at Duxbury, and you are looking for a project to submit to HackContest05 let me give you this piece of advice:
Find an everyday problem or annoyance that you have. Then look for a solution. Honestly it is that easy. As John Lennon put it, "There are no problems, only solutions"
Interview with Chris Connors of Duxbury HighSchool
What are you trying to accomplish with "HackContest05"?
My hope with this project is to encourage students in my school to showcase their work. These kids are already doing interesting and complex work, but many of them need some incentive to create documentation. Publishing your own 'how to' has never been easier than it is these days, you can make a blog or a wiki to hold your words. There are services that will host your photos, and you can even store your CAD drawings online.
When you start using these powerful web based documentation tools, it changes your projects for the better. You start to think things out more clearly, because you know that you are going to want good process based photos, and you think of what you are going to write as you do the project. When you are done with a good hack, you have the device that you created, and you also have some decent documentation that you can use as part of a growing portfolio of what you can do.
It also seemed like a good way of starting the year off. As way of getting some people excited about doing things with their hands to come up with a good invention or solution to a personal need.
Why did you decide to name it "HackContest05"
Hack seems like a good term to me, with the '05'part, it sort of indicates that I may do it again. I don't want to call it an annual contest, because if it works, we may want to do it again sooner.
What type of feedback have you received in regards to the name?
The word hack seems to have some 'bad boy' connotation, but it hasn't been a big deal.
The students seem to be thinking more about the projects and less about the words.
- From the Principle/Administrators?
I typed up the basic rule set and put it in front of the principal during lunch. He looked it over and gave his blessing on the spot.
- What made you think of this contest?
During the spring of 05, I found a few websites, i-hacked.com and hackaday.com that showcase the kind of documentation of projects that I am hoping to encourage here. Also in the Spring, Make Magazine came out. After reading the first three issues cover to cover, I have been thinking about how my students are already doing this kind of thing, making an ten foot animatronic caterpillar, a solar death ray, solar cookers, guitars, and if they had some documentation, they could be on the same stage as the guy in Italy who did a case hack to make a wooden laptop out of an old Dell.
A student who comes out of high school or college with a publication record of his or her projects will make a better candidate for the next phase, school or work.
- What kind of response have you had from the students?
A lot of kids believe that they can do this. Some of them are intimidated by the quality of what has already been posted. Some were already doing hacks, and this just gave them a good reason to publish their existing work.
I have noticed that you teach "TechnologyEducation" what type of classroom material do you normally cover?
This year, I have a full year engineering and design class, an introductory engineering course called Principles of Technology which this semester is learning CAD, then making a solar powered magnetically levitating motor, then we will venture into podcasting, Computer Aided Design is right now working in solids modeling with ProDesktop to design objects, then fabricate them in wood and other materials. In the second half of the semester, CAD will be working on an introduction to architecture. In the Spring semester, I will be teaching the engineering course, electricity, robotics and web design. Basically, the program is about engineering and invention. I have a strong emphasis on CAD, drawing and the design process. These are the kids in the school who can actually make stuff. They are also pretty book smart. This year, I have a bit over a dozen seniors in my classes who are heading for engineering schools. These are brilliant kids and I am lucky to be working with them.
What can people (in or outside) do to help support your class or this project?
Some feedback on the projects would be great. We could also use some advice on transferring our work from CAD to the CNC machines that we have. We are learning how to do it, but can always use some advice on how to proceed efficiently. If there are other high school or college programs out there that are doing similar work, it sure would be nice to collaborate.
(hevnsnt) I would also like to add to our readers that it is important to get the word out about this contest. Please tell your local highschool's technology teacher about this contest. Maybe this will inspire them to do something similar. Also help spread the word on other sites!
Interview Notes:
Contest Webpage
Duxbury HighSchool
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