The Theory and Prototyping Curriculum
The Theory and Prototyping Curriculum is a constellation of weekend workshops on theoretical concepts and practical skills.
These workshops teach designers, architects, artists, and coders powerful ways of thinking that are usually taught only in science and engineering curriculums.
Perceive More.
Understand More.
Imagine More.
Create More.
Learn the bedrock knowledge and competencies the boot camps and creative tech programs gloss over.
You can see all of the topics in the mandala below.
Upcoming Schedule
The Bedrock
The Art and Science of Physical Sound [IND01]
In this workshop, participants learn to understand, shape, and create meaning with physical sound.
Learn about the physics of sound waves and physical oscillators.
Build projects with air columns, strings, and resonators.
Explore the patterns that create musical sound: pitch & frequency, harmonics & timbre, tuning systems & vowel formants.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites: none
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Thinking in Binary [MA01]
In this workshop, participants practice using binary numbers and exploring what they reveal.
Binary is a gateway to understanding computation, aspects of logic and probability, and the hexadecimal numbers that pop up all around us.
We will learn about basic logarithms, big-endian vs. little-endian, bit-shifting, and binary arithmetic.
We’ll practice using binary numbers with finger counting, the binary abacus, and the binary-to-decimal balance beam. And we'll play binary blackjack and encode and decode secret ASCII messages
Be there and/or be square
Duration: 1 day
Price: $300
Prerequisites: none
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Algorithms as Charts [ALG01]
This workshop is our introduction to the world of algorithms.
We will use flow charts, finite state machines, and other diagrams to build understanding and intuition about
processes, conditionals, variables, recursion, and feedback.
We will practice capturing processes all around us as algorithms. And we will test those algorithms for their predictive accuracy.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Thinking in Binary [MA01]
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Algorithms as Games [ALG02]
This workshop further explores algorithms through games. And it explores games through algorithms.
Most games can be captured as algorithms. They have specific states, decision points, and quantities.
We will explore the Minimax Algorithm and Danny Hillis's Tic-Tac-Toe playing Tinkertoy computer (right).
We will develop our own card-counting algorithms for blackjack and poker and test them against one another.
By the end, we participants will have experience developing and testing their own algorithms.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Thinking in Binary [MA01]
Algorithms as Charts [ALG01]
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Boolean Logic [COMP01]
In this workshop, participants gain understanding and practice with Boolean Logic.
Boolean Logic is the foundation of nearly all computation.
It is an algebra with only two values, 0 and 1, and three basic operators, AND, OR, and NOT.
Our whole computer-based world is built from these simple blocks.
To understand computation, we must be able to think in Boolean logic.
But Boolean logic also brings into focus many patterns and connections in the world around us.
So much so that its inventor, Charles Boole, was convinced that it revealed the fabric from which God created the Universe.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Thinking in Binary [MA01]
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Digital Logic Gates [COMP02]
In this workshop, we learn to automate the logic and algorithms that we have been learning by hand.
We will create networks of electromechanical relays representing the AND, OR, and NOT operators.
And we will use them to perform binary arithmetic and decode ASCII messages.
We will also lay the foundations for digital memory and registers.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Thinking in Binary [MA01]
Boolean Logic [COMP01]
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Lab Electronics Skills [CIRC01]
In this workshop, participants learn about fundamental electronic concepts, measurement, and bench equipment.
Gain a solid understanding of current, voltage, resistance, and the quantitative relationships between them.
Learn to use bench power supplies and function generators.
And learn to use oscilloscopes, voltmeters, ammeters, and ohmmeters to measure and infer all states of electric charge and current.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites: none
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Passive Element Circuits [CIRC02]
In this workshop, participants gain an understanding of resistors, capacitors, inductors, transformers, and diodes.
Participants learn about the units and quantified behaviors of passive elements.
And they are introduced to the world of passive element circuits like simple oscillators and filters.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Lab Electronics Skills [CIRC01]
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Shop Safety & First Aid [FAB01]
In this workshop prepares participants to use sharp and powerful tools without significant injury.
Participants will also learn to care for minor cuts and burns.
Duration: 1 days
Price: $250
Prerequisites: none
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Using Hand Tools [FAB02]
This workshop is a deep dive into the world of tools that require human muscle power and skill.
Participants will receive hands-on instruction with
drivers,
vises & clamps,
wrenches & pliers,
striking tools & struck tools
snips, saws, cutters & knives
Participants will also practice precise measurement of length and mass in both metric and SAE units.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Shop Safety & First Aid [FAB01]
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Working with Woods [FAB02a]
In this workshop, participants learn to work with the most fundamental prototyping material.
They receive hands-on instruction about types of woods, elasticity & grain, cutting, types of joins, and finishing.
And special attention is given to carpentry-specific tools such as chisels and planes.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Shop Safety & First Aid [FAB01]
Using Hand Tools [FAB02]
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Using Machine Tools: Saws & Drills [FAB03]
This workshop is a deep dive into the world of motorized tools that cut lines and holes.
Participants will receive hands-on instruction with
chop saw,
table saw,
band saw,
electric drills & drivers
dril press
Participants will also practice precise measurement using micrometers and dial calipers.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Shop Safety & First Aid [FAB01]
Using Hand Tools [FAB02]
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Equations as a Practice [MA02]
This workshop re-introduces participants to the world of algebra and equations.
Instead of cryptic symbols and opaque operations, we explore the subject as a way to understand proportions and patterns.
Participants learn to see equations as expressions of simple ideas and concrete applications.
Together, we learn to re-arrange equations to make them more useful.
We learn to create our own equations.
But most importantly, we start to develop the habit of quantifying connections and patterns in the world around us.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites: none
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The Inner Life of Triangles and Circles [MA03]
The workshop covers practical aspects of trigonometry and vectors.
This will be used in all of the physics topics in the curriculum.
Almost any 2- or 3-dimensional system can be viewed as interconnected triangles and circles and quantified.
More details coming soon.
Duration: 2 days
Price: $450
Prerequisites:
Equations as a Practice [MA02]
back to schedule ^
