"Things that Think" is a computer science (4830/7000) course in which undergraduates and grad students integrate computation into moving toys and construction kits. The class also looks at the larger picture of how to design a new generation of expressive, creative, and technologically sophisticated artifacts for children.  Co-taught by Mike and Ann Eisenberg in Spring semesters.

 

Courses

Things that Think

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

1997

1998

Intro to Engineering Projects:  da Vinci

In this introductory engineering projects (GEEN 1400) class, students design and build devices based on sketches from the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Co-taught by Mike and Ann Eisenberg.

Fall 2005http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/geen1400
Fall 2007http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/geen07/Home.html

2007

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Intro to Engineering Projects:  Mechanical Automata

Spring 2008http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/geen1400sp08

This introductory engineering projects course is about designing and building automata -- moving mechanical toys.   Students will build their own moving machines using technology including a laser cutter and 3D Dimension printer, along with traditional woodworking tools such as drills, saws, and sanders. Co-taught by Ann and Mike Eisenberg.


Fall 2008http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/automataf08/
Fall 2008http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/davincif08/home.html

Intro to Engineering Projects:  Engineering Costumes

In one (narrow) sense, this is a project-based course focused on the design of wearable technology. We will incorporate novel mechanical and computational elements into various sorts of costumes and accessories. Projects might include (for example) "transforming" or "shape-shifting" costumes; sports uniforms with interesting computational displays; hats, shoes, gloves, or scarves with specialized dynamic behaviors; clothing designed for special purpose activities, such as musical performance, nighttime jogging, or medical care; or offbeat computationally-enriched Halloween costumes, just to name a few.

In the larger sense, this course is about the process of engineering: creating, critiquing, and revising design specifications; setting and following plausible timetables; working in teams; communicating and explaining one's ideas in a professional setting.  Co-taught by Mike and Ann Eisenberg.

Spring 2010http://l3d.cs.colorado.edu/~ctg/classes/geen1400costumes/Home.html

2011

2008

2012