Lindsay Craig – Oysters and Pearls

About Lindsay Craig

Linz Craig is an independent technology educator, consult and artist. He has experience teaching technology for 14 years to students and professionals ranging from two to Ph.D.. His other strengths include personnel training, material creation, media creation and editing, event planning and management, research and development, logistical and product related consultation. Organizations where he's taught include SparkFun Electronics, Discovery Education Headquarters, New York University, Tufts University, University of Colorado, Colorado State University, M.I.T., Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Stetson University, Longwood University, University of Arkansas, East Carolina University, University of Massachusetts, Hampshire College , University of Wyoming, T.E.I. in Canada, DESIGN West, the National Science Teachers Association conference, Uganda, at multiple Maker Faires, Mini Maker Faires, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Science Museum Oklahoma Network, Arkansas Museum of Discovery, Science Museum of Minnesota, Union Station Science City, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Strategic Air and Space Museum, Fat Brain Toys, US Public and Private K-12, US Library systems, a multitude of after school programs and at the United States of America’s Science & Engineering Festival (2012 & 2014). Topics he's covered in the classroom include programming, animation, game design, video & sound editing, various artistic skills, "soft skills" including leadership, assistive and lead instructor training, class material creation, soldering in many forms, sensors, actuators, microcontrollers, wireless networks, prototyping and product cycle related skills as well as other overarching educational & technological skills. He also enjoys snowboarding, rollerblading, making music, reading, pursuing various art forms, cooking and baking in his spare time. To find out more about Linz Craig or to hire him visit- http://www.linzeecraig.com To read more about his adventures and technological musings visit- http://www.makerobotsnotwar.com

Open Hardware, Software & Minds

By Linday Craig, Consultant, Educator, Technologist and Artist: questbotics.com

The people who attended the 2016 Annual Gulu Technology Camp found a doorway to future that they had never seen before — who knows where it will lead them?

Imagine a camp for 10 to 18 year-olds that combines robotics, microcomputers, pcDuino, video game design with Unity, self-defense training with an international kickboxer, Samsung’s virtual reality gear, Android app design, musical performances, quadcopters, and Legos. Now imagine this camp took place in previously civil-war-torn northern Uganda.

Just to make things interesting, throw in a small documentary crew and a large group of technically savvy instructors who wandered the grounds amongst the energetic students. Finally, add to all of this the fact that almost half of the camp’s 100+ students were blind. Even if you have an extremely active imagination and you can wrap your head around these foundational facts, I can guarantee that you can’t imagine the amount of sheer joy, inquisitiveness, and boisterous energy that inhabited Gulu High School in the form of children during the 2016 Oysters & Pearl’s Annual Technology Camp.
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A Ticket to Uganda

A quiet night spent by the Nile River

I can remember my first conversation with Sandra Washburn of Oysters & Pearls…it was like it was yesterday. I was spending time in my hometown, Boston, teaching some workshops at the Artisan’s Asylum. Pacing my hotel room on a dreary, rain filled day I spent about an hour giving Sandra information about what I felt were the best ways to educate a population about technology. I had my hands full working with SparkFun Electronics to help achieve this goal in the United States, where we partnered with people like the Artisan’s Asylum, M.I.T., various library systems, IT-oLogy, thousands of schools, camps, organizations and other well intentioned people. Teaching Introduction to Electronics and Soldering in Uganda

Sandra was talking about doing the same thing in Uganda, but with much less existing or supportive infrastructure, and for a population that sometimes has never even seen a computer before. I gave her as much information as I could and promised to connect her to a man I