We had a great time at the 2016 Winter STEM Launch event. Students from five CPS high schools( Corliss, Lake View, Marine Leadership Academy, Michele Clark, and Rickover Naval Academy) joined us at Harry S. Truman community college to design and build Synthesizers with the Makey Makey and Soundplant software.
Our day started in the recently renovated cafeteria at Truman with a lesson on music controllers, synthesizers and the electronic components that go into them. After the lesson we headed up to the computer labs to begin working. Students broke up into teams of two and familiarized themselves with the electronic components, Soundplant software, and the Makey Makey. Each group then worked through a set of challenges to develop the skills needed to make a custom design. Finally the groups built their own controllers and started writing songs to share with the class.
It was exciting welcoming new and returning STEM Launch students to campus. We are looking forward to our next program in February. Stay posted for details!
-Heather Nelson, Student at Illinois Institute of Technology, Program assistant at STEM Launch