PIKSEL

21^st
Discovering Plant Magic: A Sensory Adventure with Soft Sensors for KidZ

Duration: 3 hours. The workshop repeats two days:
When: Tuesday 21^st from 17:00 to 20:00 for individual kids and parents.
Age: 10-18 years old.
Place: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen
To secure a spot, send us an email to piksel24(AT)piksel.no with the Subject line: Piksel Kidz.
Remember to include the day and time you wish to sign up for as well as name and age of participants!

“Discovering Plant Magic,” is an workshop where kids will embark on a captivating journey into the world of plants using soft sensors and IoT technology. In this hands-on experience, we’ll explore the incredible abilities of plants and create “soft sensors” to unveil the secrets of their hidden language.

Introduction to Plant Power:

• Uncover the wonders of plant life and learn how they harness energy through photosynthesis.
• Understand the interconnectedness of ecosystems and why plants are essential for our planet’s health.

The Magic of Soft Sensors:
Dive into the concept of soft sensors – flexible, adaptable devices that can measure changes in their environment. Explore how these soft sensors mimic the sensitivity of plants, making them perfect companions for our green adventure.

Connecting Plants with Soft Sensors and IoT:
Participants witness the transformation as we connect soft sensors to plants, turning them into interactive, data-sharing companions. Learn the basics of IoT technology and understand how it enables communication and collaboration between devices.

Hands-On Exploration: The workshop engages in interactive activities to create own soft sensors to communicate with plants, collecting data on their responses to the environment.

Imaginative Creations:
Collaborate with others to dream up imaginative scenarios where soft sensors and plants work together harmoniously.
Think together about how this technology can be used to create a more sustainable and interconnected world.

Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the intelligence and sensitivity of both plants and soft sensors. They will understand the basics of IoT and how it enables devices to communicate and collaborate seamlessly. All while they explore the potential for innovative, eco-friendly technologies inspired by the harmony between nature and soft sensors.

A workshop that seamlessly merges art, creativity, and eco-friendly technologies is immensely important for children’s development. This interdisciplinary approach offers a holistic learning experience, engaging kids on multiple levels and encouraging them to explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities. By stimulating imagination and fostering creativity, the workshop provides a space for children to think innovatively and express themselves.

In essence, a workshop that combines art, creativity, and eco-friendly technologies provides a dynamic and enriching learning experience. The hands-on exploration of creating soft sensors and delving into eco-friendly technologies nurtures children with valuable skills and environmental consciousness.

June 7^th
Create your own show with live coding visuals. LIVE Coding!

Duration: 3 hours.
When: June 7^th from 10:00 to 13:00
Age: 10-18 years old.
Place: Studio 207, Strandgaten 207, 5004 Bergen
To secure a spot, send us an email to piksel24(AT)piksel.no with the Subject line: Piksel Kidz.
Remember to include the day and time you wish to sign up for as well as name and age of participants!

The internet is full of open-source and free software that we can use to create exciting sound and visuals. This workshop for children aged 14ish will introduce Live coding to the kids. Live coding is an audio visual performance practice that revolves around the creation and modification of code and algorithms in real-time.

Throughout the 3 hours workshop the kids will experiment programming with very simple code sounds and visuals. The workshop intends to de-mystify technology and reveal its design decisions, limitations, and creative potential. Kids will produce a final performance all together at the end of the workshop.

In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to Hydra – a live coding environment created by Olivia Jack. Using live programming, they will have the opportunity to explore image and camera manipulation and create unique visuals. Additionally, we will discuss the various formats where video plays a crucial role, such as live concerts, art installations, and music videos.

Hydra is a web-based video synthesizer. Olivia describes live coding as writing code in real time to make visuals and/or music as part of a performance. Originally begun as a series of explorations in the browser, Hydra is now used by a large community of live coding performers who perform in clubs and other venues, as well as in online streamed performances throughout the pandemic. There are many resources for getting started with Hydra, and a number of spin-off projects including PIXELJAM, also by Olivia, which allows multiple performers to do live coding together. There are also periodic online meetups where live coders worldwide meet up to talk and show off their works created with Hydra.

Hydra is live code-able video synth and coding environment that runs directly in the browser. It is free and open-source and made for beginners and experts alike.

Hydra can be used:

• to mix and add effects to camera feeds, screenshares, live streams, and videos
• to create generative and audio-reactive visuals, and share them online with others
• in combination with other javascript libraries such as P5.js, Tone.js, THREE.js, or gibber
• to add interactive video effects to a website
• to experiment with and learn about video feedback, fractals, and pixel operations
• to stream video between browsers and live-jam with others online