GreenTech

In this class, students explore the fundamentals of electricity, circuit building, programming and rapid prototyping. Students learn how to use electronic manufacturing tools such as soldering irons, multi-meters and breadboards. They discover the uses of various electrical components including resistors, capacitors, transistors and diodes. This class uses the Arduino microcontroller to explore programming and interactivity. Through projects such as: building windmills, nightlights and solar powered robots, students discover how to create their own circuits and program and interface with microcontrollers. Towards the end of the semester, students choose a project to work on individually or with a small group.

Sustainable Design

Studying the connection between environmental justice, eco-effective design and the technologies behind the emerging Green Collar workforce, students survey local buildings and resources while creating a series of projects that imagine a healthy, more sustainable community. Using Google SketchUp, Adobe Illustrator and a variety of professional design programs, students learn 3D design software and work with machine fabrication equipment provided by MIT’s FabLab initiative.  Through this workshop, students have created businesses that use recycled materials, planted indoor gardens and designed jewelry for community events. For their final project, students work in small groups to create 3D and physical models of environmentally responsible buildings.