Renewable Energies: Experience, Design, Make – First meeting: Building a small Dynamo from almost scratch

About

We tend to take electricity for granted. Just plug in to a hole in the wall and that’s it! Have you ever stopped to consider how electricity or electric energy forms? It’s worth thinking about, especially with the energy problems and climate issues effecting our daily life.

I wish to approach the subject not by lecturing but rather by a “hands on” approach, involving building and experiencing. I wish to share with you my own journey and experience in the Makers world. Once you can understand the basics, the sky’s the limit!

This event is the first of a series. In this workshop we will all build a simple dynamo (electric generator) that we will be able to operate by hand. The dynamo will be built from almost scratch so that we will be able understand and appreciate how it works.
Using the basics established during this first workshop, in subsequent events we will go on to explore new designs and methods for the production of electric energy using wind, water, etc. Having built our first prototype from almost zero we will be able to modify and “hack” it using our imagination and thought.

The instructor is Mr. Tal Peer who is a physics high-school teacher in Israel. Tal has also founded a Makerspace facility in his school, in collaboration with the Material Design faculty.

All are invited! No background in physics or science is required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Especially encouraged to attend are those who have felt that a lack of aptitude or interest in science, or those from a humanities or design background.

Again, this workshop is not about lecturing or formal studies but rather developing intuitive understanding. One of my goals is to bring this basic understanding to a wider audience, then see how each person individually expands on it in subsequent workshops.

Recommended for

• Designers who are interested in the principles / mechanisms of basic Physics
• Those interested in Renewable Energies
• People interested in DIY (Do it yourself)
• People interested in the concept of combining science and design

Schedule

※ The second meeting will be held from 13: 00 ~ 16: 00 on Sunday, December 10th.
Based on the knowledge gained for the first time, it will be a workshop on exploring different designs and approaches in order to meet a given challenge by teaming up and working together.
Details will be announced separately as soon as it is decided.

Important points

• This course will be two consecutive courses and there is a fee each time (there is a discount for participants on both days).
• Participants of the first meeting will be able to take home their products.
• Although it will be simple craftwork, please be careful about injuries and dirt in advance, please come in appropriate cloths.
• Commentary on this event will be held in a simple Japanese (part English). Please acknowledge that it takes a little time to communicate more than an ordinary event.

Lecturer

Tal Peer

I am a high-school physics teacher in Israel, now staying in Kyoto for a year on sabbatical. My passion is education. I believe in a “hands on” approach to teaching, mainly project-based learning. My current interests include how to apply a “Makerspace” kind of environment to the classroom, and exploring new ways and ideas for teaching.
I have found a warm welcoming home in MTRL Kyoto for my developing initiatives.

My hobbies include: hiking, cycling, yoga, and meditation.

企画：Tal Peer,MTRL KYOTO