CAMP SPOTLIGHT: Suncoast Science Center

Children build from imagination to reality with Fab Creations and 3-D Design camps at Suncoast Science Center.

  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 6:00 a.m. July 28, 2016
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Typically, children are told not to touch equipment. But at Suncoast Science Center, children are encouraged to explore that curiosity and learn how to properly use the equipment available to them. 
 

All summer long, Suncoast Science Center is offering weeklong camps ranging from Awesome Arduino to Robotics Lab, Electrifying Electronics, Fab Creations, 3-D Design and Design Squad. 

During 3-D Design camps, students learn to build, starting with their imaginations. With software, laser cutters, mold- making and 3-D printers at their disposal, the possibilities can grow exponentially. 

Fab Creations introduces campers in fourth through eighth grades to the machinery and software necessary to design and create objects. Campers design and cut their own key chains using a laser cutter, custom wooden sunglasses and even tiny paper-airplane launchers. 

 

Max Fischer
Max Fischer
Austin Ingram works on his design using two-dimensional design software called CorelDRAW.
Austin Ingram works on his design using two-dimensional design software called CorelDRAW.
One design option students can do is a sunglasses with hinges in the corners.
One design option students can do is a sunglasses with hinges in the corners.
One of the designs for the wooden sunglasses that campers can build.
One of the designs for the wooden sunglasses that campers can build.
Eitan Campbell pulls the mold off of his sculpture of a face sticking its tongue out.
Eitan Campbell pulls the mold off of his sculpture of a face sticking its tongue out.
Eitan Campbell covers his ears and watches as his sculpture is pressed into a mold.
Eitan Campbell covers his ears and watches as his sculpture is pressed into a mold.
The outcome of the mold.
The outcome of the mold.
Plastic is heated and then pressed into the Play-Doh sculpture to create a reusable mold.
Plastic is heated and then pressed into the Play-Doh sculpture to create a reusable mold.
Plastic is heated and then pressed into the Play-Doh sculpture to create a reusable mold.
Plastic is heated and then pressed into the Play-Doh sculpture to create a reusable mold.
Kira Gordon pulls out part of her Play-Doh sculpture from her mold.
Kira Gordon pulls out part of her Play-Doh sculpture from her mold.
Max Fischer made a keychain he plans to give as a birthday gift to his mother.
Max Fischer made a keychain he plans to give as a birthday gift to his mother.
A laser cutter outlines the design for an acrylic keychain.
A laser cutter outlines the design for an acrylic keychain.
Max Fischer learns how to operate the laser cutter under the supervision of Jennifer Holt.
Max Fischer learns how to operate the laser cutter under the supervision of Jennifer Holt.
Austin Ingram works on his design using two-dimensional design software called CorelDRAW.
Austin Ingram works on his design using two-dimensional design software called CorelDRAW.
Some campers made keychains using a 3-D printer.
Some campers made keychains using a 3-D printer.

 

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