Celebrating Techweek 2018

The annual Techweek festival is here come 19-27th May, and it’s all about celebrating innovative New Zealand technology. Featuring 400 events nationwide, many Techweek events are happening in Christchurch and Christchurch City Libraries have partnered up with Code Club Aotearoa to bring the Creative Coding Minecraft Competition

Find out more about what’s happening locally.

Highlights of Techweek 2018 in Christchurch include:

• Creative Coding Minecraft Competition –  at Te Hapua: Halswell Library, South Learning Centre and Upper Riccarton Learning Centre.
• Teching Up Your Teaching – at St. Margaret’s College
• CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap – at EPIC
• Techhub Careers Expo – Aurora Centre Burnside High School
• State of the (Maker) Nation

Libraries and technology have walked hand in hand into the 21st Century, and Christchurch City Libraries’ own imminent new central library, Tūranga, is a flagship, paving the way with the latest in new technology (though there’ll still be plenty of that older technology known as “books”). When Tūranga opens later this year visitors will be greeted with the largest interactive touch wall in New Zealand, spanning a colossal seven metres! That would look very nice on my living room wall (if it would fit). Other Tūranga technologies in the works include:

• Virtual Reality
• Laser Cutters
• 3D Printing
• Video Editing
• Robotics technology

Visitors to Tūranga will be able to swipe their way through a virtual world of information.

Many of these technologies can already be experienced in our libraries and learning centres.  Kids need something to do after school, and learn something in the process? Something in the wings that you’ve always wanted to get 3D printed? Or just need help getting the those photos backed up onto Google drive? Christchurch City Libraries have loads of technology-oriented after school clubs and classes for kids and adults, whether your needs are beginner or advanced!

• After School Clubs including Maker Space, Robotics and Minecraft
• Technology Help drop-in sessions at many of our branches
• GenConnect where you can get help with your technology issues from savvy local high school students

Plus find out about how you can access 3D modelling tuition, software and print your own 3D designs at the library!

Check out our catalogue to find the latest material on computer programming, robotics, maker space and more

Find out more about Techweek 2018 >

3D printing parts – Hover board lifts off

Luka is a Year 7 student from Cobham Intermediate. Luka has entered his home built “Hover board” which utilises Maglev (Magnetic Levitation) technology into a school science fair. He was encountering some issues with one of the housings holding the magnets. He 3D modelled himself a new design using Google SketchUp and contacted us to see if we could 3D print the parts for him.

We jumped at the chance to help. Luka’s project is amazing; we are glad that we are able to assist as this is why we embraced 3D printing in the first place. It allows our customers access to technology that they may not normally be able to utilise.

At this stage there is not a specific system or pricing structure in place for customer 3D printing, but with enquiries ramping up, we will be working on it. Watch this space.

If you want to see something really inspiring, here is a clip of Luka’s hover board in action:

• Find out about 3D design classes at your libraries.
• See photos of 3D printing and our 2D to 3D classes.

Danny McNeil
South Learning Centre

3D Printing – School Horizons Programme

Want to know more about 3D printing? How you can create something then 3D print your own design?

Well that’s exactly what Cashmere Primary School students did when they came to the South Learning Centre as part of the School Horizons programme. The students became product designers, who discussed target markets, design specifics & prototypes. They created keyrings, helicopters and slide whistles in 123D design programme them 3D printed them. Once printed prototypes were evaluated critically and adaptations were documented.

There was lots of laughter, fun and learning!

In our Learning Centre, students experience eLearning programmes aligned with the New Zealand curriculum document. These programmes provide learning in a technology-rich environment, and the teaching keeps abreast with the latest teaching philosophies and strategies.

If you are interested in working with us to tailor an existing programme, or work alongside us  phone the Learning Centre 941 5140 or email Learningcentre@ccc.govt.nz

Learn how to 3D design and print

Want to learn how do 3D modelling and printing? We have two classes coming up at South Library tailormade for you:

Beginners’ 3D Design & Printing
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 (6:00PM – 8:00PM)
South Library

Beginners’ 3D Design & Printing
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 (6:00PM – 8:00PM)
South Library

In this class you will learn how to use free, basic 3D modelling software to design and 3D print, using biodegradable PLA plastic.  All you need to know to do before doing this course course are basic computer skills such as how to save a file and use a mouse. Cost: $25 per person. Phone 941 5140 or email learningcentre@ccc.govt.nz to book.

Innovative collaboration and a Living wall

A great project between members of the Library Programme Design and Delivery team in collaboration with Department of Conservation and Fab Lab in Christchurch meant we could utilise our 3D printer to produce and contribute panels to the “Living Wall” project.

Elizabeth Guthrey from DOC.

Various community groups and organisations such as local schools and businesses that have access to 3D printers have been asked to contribute panels to this wall. It will eventually be planted up with native plants and situated on the corner of Cashel and High Street in Christchurch’s central city.

Elizabeth Guthrey (the project leader pictured above) explains that urban green walls and roofs provide habitats for plants and animals, supporting nature in our city. They create shelter, shade and cool cityscapes for a more liveable urban environment for people. The proven positive effects on people’s wellbeing mean green spaces are a must-have in urban regeneration. This particular wall is tipped to be around 20 metres long and remain in place for around two years or more. The picture below provides an indication of how the wall may look when complete.

From the PDD team’s perspective, it is great to get involved in initiatives that contribute to our city’s regeneration and it has certainly been a fantastic trial for our little Makerbot 3D printer – which so far hasn’t missed a beat.

Danny
South Learning Centre

2D to 3D

This term our team has been running our very first school programme utilising the Library 3D printer.

The name of the course is “2D to 3D” and involves 12 students being introduced to a variety of learning and software that allows them to take 2 dimensional design, (arrived at by following a “design process”) through to a finished 3 dimensional product that is printed out on our 3D printer.

We are now just four weeks into this first course and the students have been buzzing about what they are learning. We have taught them how to use the free 123D Design software and most of them are now using it at home whenever they get the opportunity. The first printable project was to create a “pencil copter” which is a propeller device that fits on the end of an HB pencil that actually flies.

Each student (after being taught the basic functions of the software) built their own “copter” in 123D and added their own embellishments to personalise their design. The following week we tested their copters and reflected on what worked well and what could be improved upon.

Great fun!

South Learning Centre goes 3D

Check out this new age technology: 3D printing comes to South Learning Centre.

This is a key-ring designed on Trimble Sketch Up initially in 2D, then pulled into 3D and finally printed in a 3D printer.

Watch this space for holiday programmes involving Makercrate (currently housed at The Pallet Pavillion on the corner of Kilmore and Durham Streets).