William Van Zyl
Published: 2018-06-04
Total Pages: 138
Get eBook
Synopsis: In this book, the author introduces handmade papermaking from recycled materials. From the equipment required for making a mould and deckle, to techniques for making artistic paper, are all included. The book progresses to pop-up greeting cards (paper mechanics/origami) and then develops ideas around electrical circuits and the programming of microprocessors (make LED lights blink, buzzer, etc.). The handmade paper could be used to create the greeting cards. A digital curriculum combined with organic papermaking - with the title ‘…from computer mouse clickers to computer programmers,’ - are touched on. The book includes STEM, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Maths) & ESSSTEAM (English-creative writing, Social Studies, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Maths). The author coined the acronym ESSSTEAM in 2018 to include creative writing and Social Sciences (timelines and history/social issues). This book is a great resource for those teachers and educators who want to include an integrated and layered approach to their teaching. Additionally, the author has included important educational principles like global citizenship, sustainability, and taking action (social aspect). The book covers most of the trending aspects of integrated learning. It is surely a great resource for teachers, educators, and parents who want to combine an organic (natural) approach (papermaking) with technology (circuits and computer programming). Keywords: Papermaking, paper drying, paper pulp, couching, paper press, circuitry, copper adhesive tape, LED’s, batteries, mould and deckle, microprocessor, Arduino Uno, Micro:bit BBC, Picaxe, Raspberry Pi, computational books, pop-up card making, greeting card making, nets, sustainability, taking social action, global citizenship, fair trade, paint techniques, STEM Education, STEAM Education, ESSSTEAM Education, Blockly, Chibitronics. Brief outline with some details of this book This book will introduce and cover the basics of making handmade paper from recycled paper. The basic tools and equipment required for papermaking are covered. The steps of how to make a sheet of paper are included. Ideas like greeting cards pop-up cards, wrapping paper, and more, are explored and explained. Techniques like adding seeds, doing printing on the paper, colouring and scenting the paper – to name a few – will be discussed. From a teaching perspective, the underlying value of these activities will be investigated. For parents and educators, several layers of integrated learning are included in this resource. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) is explored in the process of papermaking, and the integration of these subject areas are illustrated. The following areas will also be touched on, namely, global citizenship, sustainability, taking action for the environment, taking social action, entrepreneurship, business opportunities, accounting, and more. These areas are very relevant to teaching in a modern day context. It is practical and focuses on cutting-edge educational practice to date. These layered and integrated aspects will provide a rich educational approach to project-based learning. It includes creating and selling handmade greeting cards with and without circuitry. Additionally, some very creative techniques for adding value and fun to the papermaking process are introduced. For example, dyes for papermaking (colouring), different paper textures (choice of materials), scented paper and exploring different fibres. The last section of the book includes pop-up greeting card making. The goal is to plan the papermaking (colours and textures, etc.) for pop-up card making as a second activity. From a scientific and electronics perspective, electrical circuits to the pop-up card will be introduced. For example, led lights, microprocessors, buzzers, switches, and more. Finally, the basic programming of microprocessors will be discussed. The microprocessor will be programmed to light up led lights, make buzzers go, and more. User-friendly interfaces like Micro:bit, Arduino Uno, Picaxe, Arduino LilyPad, and Raspberry Pi are discussed towards the end of the book.
