In this episode of Make:cast, host Dale Dougherty is joined by Hannah Hagon, author of "Unplugged Tots," and Brian Jepson, publisher at Raspberry Pi. The discussion centers on Hannah’s new book, which offers screen-free, play-based activities designed to introduce young children to computational thinking and logical problem-solving without the use of computers or coding apps.

Hannah shares her inspiration for the book, rooted in her experiences as a parent seeking ways to bridge the gap between early childhood play and later engagement with technology. The activities in "Unplugged Tots" use everyday household items and focus on concepts like sequencing, pattern recognition, and problem-solving, making them accessible to all families regardless of technical background or resources.

The conversation explores the importance of fostering creativity, resilience, and metacognition in children, emphasizing that learning to think computationally is about more than just coding—it’s about developing a toolkit of skills for the future. The guests also discuss the challenges parents face with screen time and the value of hands-on, collaborative learning experiences.

Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HRFT10ec5A

Coming soon (preorders available):

• Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unplugged-Tots-Introduce-Children-Foundations/dp/1916868223
• Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Tots-Introduce-children-foundations/dp/1916868223

https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:cast, Dale Dougherty from Make Magazine chats with Marilyn Nash and Amber Hudson, authors of 'A Maker's Life'. Both of them are former teachers - Marilyn is retired and Ambers works at 1st Makerspace in Indiana. They discuss the impact their book has had on readers, igniting meaningful conversations about the maker mindset among people of all ages. Amber shares the story of how she and Marilyn met and collaborated on the book, which serves as both a personal narrative of Marilyn's life as a maker and a reflective guide for developing makerspaces. They delve into Marilyn's background, influenced by her mother who was a diarist and a creator, and how art and making provided her solace during tough times. They emphasize the importance of self-expression, creativity, and the generational influence of making. The conversation also touches on the educational system's challenges in integrating a maker mindset and its potential to transform learning environments. The authors hope to inspire not just students but also older generations and educators to embrace their identity as makers.

A Maker's Life email: amakerslifebook@gmail.com

A Maker's Life website: amakerslife.org

To purchase the book visit on Amazon: bit.ly/3Ex3tn8

https://make.co/make-cast/

In this episode of Make:cast, host Dale Dougherty speaks with Kirk Pearson, author of 'Electronic Music from Scratch,' and Kevin Toyama, the book's editor. Kirk is a musical experimenter and he encourages others to do the same. Kirk shares his journey from a traditional music background to creating electronic music and building custom instruments. He discusses his workshops, where participants learn to build synthesizers and other electronic instruments. Specific topics include circuit bending, synthesizer design, and the use of capacitors and potentiometers in creating electronic sounds. The conversation also touches on the challenges of translating workshop experiences into a book and the collaborative process with the book's illustrator, Maisie Byerly. Kirk also mentions his other projects, including a new album and a show called 'Radio Pacific.' The episode highlights the intersection of creativity, music, and DIY electronics.

To buy Kirk's book, visit Maker Shed https://www.makershed.com/products/make-electronic-music-print

Check out Dogbotic Labs. https://dogbotic.com

https://make.co/make-cast/