By William Van Zyl Published on July 20, 2024 Objective: This literature review explores research on developing high school students’ data and graph interpreting skills, focusing on integrating IoT and greenhouse management. The study uses Microbit and Arduino microprocessors to monitor variables, specifically focusing on understanding the mini-greenhouse system’s temperature (and moisture) fluctuations. Keywords: Mini-greenhouse,… Continue reading Literature Review (Short Summary) – ‘Developing High School Students’ Data and Graph Interpreting Skills in the Context of IoT and Greenhouse Management.’
Category: Minecraft Lessons.
Minecraft lessons for teachers and students – different genres.
Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Data Analysis and Chart Interpretation Abilities (Vertical Skyfarm Design – Minecraft Education).
By William N. Van Zyl Published 20 July 2024 Are you looking for innovative ways to improve high school students’ data analysis and chart interpretation abilities? Look no further. As an experienced secondary school Technology teacher, I’d like to share my research project with you. At the end of this article, I include how you… Continue reading Enhancing Secondary School Students’ Data Analysis and Chart Interpretation Abilities (Vertical Skyfarm Design – Minecraft Education).
Modernist Art & Architecture: Museum Design (Contemporary Māori Patterns). New Zealand – ‘The City Rail Link Building.’
By William Van Zyl Published in March 2024 Are you interested in incorporating contemporary Māori shapes, forms, patterns, and colours into your art, architecture, or product design? This article explores a modern approach to integrating these elements and showcases AI-generated images, including a design for a modern museum with an artistic façade. For instance, it… Continue reading Modernist Art & Architecture: Museum Design (Contemporary Māori Patterns). New Zealand – ‘The City Rail Link Building.’
Mirror Opens Ancient Temple Door.
By William Van Zyl – Published in December 2023. A tiny beam of light – entering from a slit in the roof of the cave – shines like a long shaft of enlightenment onto the rugged cave floor. Thousands specks of dust – hundreds of years asleep – are disturbed. They wake up. The ancient… Continue reading Mirror Opens Ancient Temple Door.
Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
By William Van Zyl Published on 9 August 2023. Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye). I analyse the contrasting aspects between Bjarke Ingels’ moonbase design and the principles of Modernism in Architecture. This article delves into the… Continue reading Bjarke Ingels’ Moonbase design is compared and contrasted with Modernism in Architecture (Reference to Le Corbusier and his famous house design – Villa Savoye).
Swallowing a Bicycle Wheel, Fishline, and Ballast.
By William Van Zyl Published on 20 May 2023 At 6:05 am, the two workmen in their high-vis vests were on duty in the street that runs past the Banco Rio in Buenos Aires. The lid of the maintenance hole situated in the road – on the side, out of the main traffic flow –… Continue reading Swallowing a Bicycle Wheel, Fishline, and Ballast.
When stories lose their lustre, and children’s creativity and innovation plummet.
By William Van Zyl Published in March 2023 Listen to the podcast: https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=8eq4i-13eb655-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=7 “I am tired of all these Bible stories. Reading the devotionals and doing these prayers all the time is too much for me!?” said the young Alexander. “You will sit down and read the Bible Story; you will listen and pray before… Continue reading When stories lose their lustre, and children’s creativity and innovation plummet.
Buckminster Fuller – Geodesic Shape and Form for architectural design. Designing a Vertical Urban Skyfarm (hydroponics, aeroponics & aquaponics) in Minecraft.
By William Van Zyl (Published on 5 January 2023). I have probably designed hundreds of concept buildings. Considering the work of inspirational and influential architects of the past – and future ones – I have pioneered new shapes and forms. In some instances, biomimicry had been my inspiration (‘asking nature how’). In this article I… Continue reading Buckminster Fuller – Geodesic Shape and Form for architectural design. Designing a Vertical Urban Skyfarm (hydroponics, aeroponics & aquaponics) in Minecraft.
Do these things – right now – to elevate creativity and innovation.
By William Van Zyl Published in November 2022. “I am not going to suffocate my children with literacy and numeracy. I don’t care what people – and even teachers – say. I want my children to be creative and innovative,” said the agitated mother. “My kids come home from school, and they express their boredom.… Continue reading Do these things – right now – to elevate creativity and innovation.
Crystal Radio shortens Gravedigger’s night.
By William Van Zyl – Published June 2022. *Listen to the podcast while reading: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-e78d4-124aaff “At the sound of the gong, it will be exactly 1 am on 2ZC radio.” “B-O-I-I-I-N-G” “You are listening to the music selected by Dave – Dave Marney,” announced the broadcaster. “Our next song is a song that goes with… Continue reading Crystal Radio shortens Gravedigger’s night.
LESSON: Use the work of an influential designer to inform design ideas. Design a Moon-base on Minecraft Education – focus on Aesthetics and Function.
By William Van Zyl (Published in April 2022). Design Brief: Design a Moon-dwelling or a Moon-base (in your groups or individually) on Minecraft Education. Use the work of an architect considering aesthetics (beauty). But, more importantly, functionality. Choose an Architectural Design Era or Style (for example, Modernism, Minimalism, Hi-Tech. and more). Also, embed sustainability and… Continue reading LESSON: Use the work of an influential designer to inform design ideas. Design a Moon-base on Minecraft Education – focus on Aesthetics and Function.
Minecraft Lesson: Create a Minecraft Character to contain a USB Drive. Making freehand sketches with dimensions. Use SketchUp (3D Warehouse) & TinkerCad (3D printing) to prepare the file for 3D printing.
By William Van Zyl – Published 2018 Learning intention: To learn how to make 3-D sketches in third angle orthographic projection. To learn how to use SketchUp (software) to design a skin (minecraft character). To learn how to prepare a 3-D print for a 3-D printer. Learn how to use TinkerCad (software – prepare 3-D… Continue reading Minecraft Lesson: Create a Minecraft Character to contain a USB Drive. Making freehand sketches with dimensions. Use SketchUp (3D Warehouse) & TinkerCad (3D printing) to prepare the file for 3D printing.
Ten free lessons: I am an Aeronautical Engineer (Modeling in Minecraft and a STEM PROJECT – Water-propelled Rocket).
Lesson and resources for teachers and students: Aeronautical engineering. Modelling in Minecraft. Planning, designing, and making a water-propelled rocket (STEM-based). Complete lessons and resources for teachers and students (Secondary School). Free download at Five House Publishing https://fivehousepublishing.com/ OVERVIEW: This resource and lessons include everything related to aeronautical science and space exploration. Teachers and students will… Continue reading Ten free lessons: I am an Aeronautical Engineer (Modeling in Minecraft and a STEM PROJECT – Water-propelled Rocket).
Newly published Minecraft Education lesson (free download): ‘Design a Basic Research Centre in Antarctica.’
Activities and tasks: Do research on the research station aspects in Antarctica. See the learning intentions for details. Collaborate in teams on the design and layout of the station. Consider the goals and objectives of the station. Come up with a basic plan for the research station. Choose building materials. Construct the research station by… Continue reading Newly published Minecraft Education lesson (free download): ‘Design a Basic Research Centre in Antarctica.’