Hackerspaces and 3D Printing

We were fortunate enough to have two alumni involved in the maker movement through San Francisco's Noisebridge, who stopped by to talk to our students about hackerspaces.  Carl Gorringe '96 gave an overview of hackerspaces, how they differ from makerspaces, and some of the types of projects people have worked on at Noisebridge.  Cristina Deptula '00 spoke about hackervism, and talked about people such as Aaron Swartz. 
 

Gorringe '96 and Deptula '00 speaking.  Photo by MCHS LLC

In addition, Bay Area-based Type A Machines co-founder R. Miloh Alexander came with his company's Series 1 printer to show off 3D printing in action. 
 

Alexander speaking. Photo by MCHS LLC

Much larger than the Printrbot Simple Metal we have (and more expensive), but it can make objects like this:

3D printed owl.  Photo by MCHS LLC.

 

It also printed objects a lot faster.  They printed a smaller, less solid version of the owl in about 30 minutes.  Our Printrbot took two and half hours to print a TARDIS (Doctor Who), as seen below: 

Students were excited to see the 3D printer in action.  In fact, many stayed after the bell rang for the end of school to watch it complete the owl.  A great first day demoing 3D printing.

Students waiting for the owl to finish printing.  Photo by MCHS LLC

Happy Making!