We are holding an in-person orientation for STEAMwhiz VeX IQ Robotic Teams on Friday evening, May 3rd 🥳 It’s a fantastic opportunity for students going into 4-8 grade to dive into the world of robotics! It’s a big commitment, so pls take a look at the slides. If interested, use the link below to fill out the form. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section.
For our younger students who are interested in robotics, we are planning a Robotics Enrichment Program (REP) for this Fall that will prepare them for Vex Robotics Competitions once they enter 4th grade. More info coming soon!!
Why Music Finds Its Rightful Place in S.T.E.A.M Education
Integrating diverse disciplines is a pillar in becoming a creative problem-solver. One intriguing partnership that the STEAM-Team is excited to explore is the marriage of music and STEAM (Sci, Tech, Eng, Art, Math) education. This fusion might seem unlikely at first glance, but when explored, it reveals a symphony of benefits that resonate through both realms.
Let’s check out the top (3) engaging and vibrant harmonies between music and STEAM education —
How Does Music Enrich the Cognitive Capacities of our Students?
How Does Music Connect to Science & Technology?
How Does Music Help Develop Key Skills that are Essential for STEM Fields?
1. Cognitive Orchestration
If you think music and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are worlds apart, think again. Music is not only a form of art and expression, but also a powerful tool for enhancing cognitive skills that are essential for STEM learning. In this section, we will explore how music can help students master STEM subjects by:
– Improving pattern recognition
– Boosting creative problem-solving
– Strengthening memory skills
Let’s Dive In!
a. Pattern Recognition: The Key to Data and Equations
One of the core skills in STEM is the ability to recognize and analyze patterns in data, equations, graphs, and other forms of information. Music is full of patterns, from the notes and chords to the rhythm and harmony. Musicians learn to read, play, and compose music by identifying and manipulating these patterns. Research shows that musical training enhances pattern recognition skills in both auditory and visual domains, which can transfer to mathematical and scientific reasoning. For example, a study conducted by Dr. Gordon Shaw, Neurological Research, found that children who received piano lessons performed better than their peers in tasks involving fractions, ratios, and proportions.
b. Creative Problem-Solving: The Spark of Innovation
Another skill that STEM learners need is the ability to solve complex problems with creativity and innovation.
Music is a rich source of inspiration and imagination, as it allows students to express themselves in unique ways. Music also fosters divergent thinking, which is the ability to generate multiple solutions to a problem. Divergent thinking is crucial for STEM fields, where novel and unconventional approaches often lead to breakthroughs. For instance, a study found that engineering students who participated in musical activities scored higher on tests of divergent thinking than those who did not.
c. Memory Skills: The Foundation of Learning
A third skill that STEM learners benefit from is the ability to memorize and recall information effectively.
Music is a powerful memory enhancer, as it uses rhythm, melody, emotion, and repetition to encode information in the brain. Music can also help students remember complex formulas, equations, and concepts by associating them with musical cues. For example, a study found that students who learned physics concepts through songs performed better on tests than those who learned through traditional methods.
2. Sonic Science and Technological Innovation
Beneath the surface of every melody lies a world of acoustics, physics, and technology. Integrating music with STEM subjects offers students an immersive experience into the science of sound, sparking curiosity and innovation:
a. Exploring Sound Waves
Music is made of sound waves, which are vibrations that travel through the air or other mediums. By investigating the physics of sound waves and resonance, students gain an understanding of fundamental concepts such as frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and resonance, while creating musical instruments or analyzing acoustic phenomena.
b. Digital Harmonies
Music production and composition embrace cutting-edge technology.
Integrating digital tools introduces students to coding and software and empowers them to craft their sonic landscapes. You can also learn about digital audio formats, signal processing, synthesis, and sampling. Technology gives you the freedom and flexibility to express yourself musically in new ways.
c. Innovative Intersections
The marriage of music and technology has given rise to groundbreaking inventions, from electronic instruments to sophisticated audio algorithms. By exploring these innovations, you can discover how music and technology solve problems, meet needs, and create opportunities. Students engaging with music in STEM contexts are primed to become the next generation of innovators.
3. STEM Jam Sessions: Collaboration and Communication
STEM industries thrive on collaboration and effective communication. Music, with its ensemble performances and harmonious dialogues, provides an excellent model for fostering these essential skills:
a. Team Dynamics
Playing in a musical ensemble, whether you join a band or an orchestra, mirrors the collaborative environment of STEM workplaces. Students learn to synchronize efforts, adapt to diverse perspectives, and collectively strive for excellence.
b. Communicative Precision
Music is a form of communication that can convey complex emotions and messages. When you play or write music, you practice being precise, clear, and concise with your words and sounds. These are the same skills you need to communicate your STEM findings and ideas to others. And just as musicians respond to subtle cues during performances, STEM learners refine their ability to convey complex ideas with precision, clarity, and conciseness.
c. Creative Synergy
Music is also a creative outlet that allows you to experiment with different styles, genres, and techniques. When you improvise or compose music, you learn how to think on your feet, adapt to changing situations, and solve problems creatively. These are the same skills that you need to innovate and discover new things in STEM fields.
TLDR
The integration of music into STEM education is not merely a harmonious indulgence; it is a strategic investment in fostering well-rounded, adaptable, and innovative learners. By harnessing the cognitive, scientific, and collaborative potential of music, educators unlock doors to engagement and excitement in the STEM journey. The combination of melody and mathematics, rhythm and research, creates a symphony of holistic learning that resonates deeply with students, ensuring they step onto a path paved with endless possibilities.
So as you can see, music is more than just a hobby or a passion. It is also a cognitive orchestrator that can help students excel in STEM subjects. By integrating music into STEM education, we can enrich the cognitive capacities of our students and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. Music and STEM are not opposites; they are complementary parts of a harmonious whole.
Get Started
Need more music in your life and your children’s? A great place to start is online with Hoffman Academy. No, this is not a sponsored post. Just a great resource that our family has used to begin our children’s musical education.
We love that there are 300+ comprehensive piano video lessons, totally free! Joseph Hoffman and his academy are on a mission to bring music into more homes and communities worldwide. They believe everyone should have access to music education.
Our son, X, used the 100% free lessons for a year. Then once we saw the benefit and success of using Hoffman Academy, we upgraded him to the Premium account to have even more resources at his fingertips!
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We are here to support, mentor, and inspire!
What is Minecraft & How Can it Teach 21st Century Skills?
Don’t let the blocky design fool you into thinking this game is basic!! There are ‘deep layers‘ to Minecraft (pun intended for my Block Heads 🤣). For parents trying to figure out what Minecraft is and if it’s safe I understand! Answer: Yes, it is safe. I learned to play the game in order to figure that out myself. Now it’s an immersive family activity where we all can have fun together. It does have some exciting & maybe even scary characters for little ones like zombies and endermen. Word of caution, it does introduce the concept of ‘killing’ whether it’s to defend yourself from attack or via farming. There are weapons such as swords, bow & arrows, etc. but no guns.
Minecraft is an open world in which you gather materials to eat, build, and create. The gameplay/mechanics can be as deep as you want them to be. In Creative Mode you have all the materials available to you so that you can just focus on creating without having to worry about being attacked by a mob or how to gather/’mine’ materials. In Survival Mode you must hunt and gather just like you would in the real world. I suggest you go chop down a tree to start ‘crafting’ items like a door and create a shelter to protect yourself from attacking mobs at night time 😬 There are some great resources online a simple google search will pull up to learn more. I also suggest checking out Youtube to see some of the amazing things done in Minecraft.
Ok you may be asking, “Dr J how does this relate to learning?!?”To help answer this question, let’s dive into the Top 3 Questions on How STEAMwhiz Uses Minecraft as an Educational Tool!
How Can Minecraft be used to Teach Problem Solving?
How Does Minecraft Allow Students to Develop their Creativity?
What Modern Skills can our Students Learn from Minecraft?
How Minecraft can be used for Education
1. Problem Solving
The default game in Minecraft is called Survival Mode. It’s an open world where the main objective is to survive. You need to build shelter, figure out food to sustain yourself, and if you are crafty, you can figure out how to mine for diamonds and hunt the Ender Dragon. The are so many layers of problem-solving for example: how do you build a house, create doors, can you farm animals, which animals are okay to eat, is it better to build near water or in a forest, where are the best places to mine, how can you craft new items? Players can test theories, ideas, try new things, and experience failure in a safe way and then repeat.
But what about “cheat” videos, where kids go on Youtube and learn how to do things on their own by copying what others post? Often kids won’t find exactly what they want so they research partial solutions and create entirely new solutions, awesome. This is not very different than finding solutions in the real world, whether they dive into a physics books, scientific research papers, or even a Youtube video. Kids will quickly learn about good and bad sources once they try to copy builds off Youtube.
2. Exercising the Creative Muscle
Minecraft is a true sand-box game. What does that mean? A sandbox game is a video game with a gameplay element that provides the player a great degree of creativity to interact with, usually without any predetermined goal, or in other words, with a goal that the player sets for themself.
The first shelter I ever created was a hole in the side of a mountain to hide from mobs XD But that was a limitation of my imagination. Players have recreated beautiful works of art, medieval castles, the statue of liberty, and even entire cities…block-by-block. The possibilities are endless! Creative Mode is an excellent way to unleash this creativity, especially for younger children. All the resources are available to them, they don’t have to worry about being attacked, and they can fly in the air as they build. All they have to do is imagine what they want to build and develop some GRIT as they start to build block-by-block. They can even custom design their avatar to look like a ninja or supergirl.
Learning electrical circuits and logical gates in Minecraft. a) Shows the circuit diagram of a 4-input AND gate b) Is the circuit built in Minecraft using Redstone. The torch will only turn on if all 4 wood plates are being pressed down =D
An even deeper layer – let’s take it to the next level! Minecraft has a system of making machines. Redstone is a resource that you can mine deep in the earth and is the equivalent of copper wires and electricity. You can build complex machines to automate tasks that take forever to do manually. Students can learn about electricity flow, repeaters, logical gates, and building cool machines all using Redstone. The outlets for self-expression are amazing!!
3. Modern Skills Development
The benefits keep adding up! Minecraft helped my kids learn to read, apply math fundamentals, and develop critical computer skills early. The game also encourages kids to develop logical reasoning. For example, mastering Redstone requires rigorous logical thinking. It teaches the essentials of computer programming, including debugging circuits to find solutions. At STEAMwhiz we also use Minecraft to develop challenges that require teamwork which provides students with a safe environment in order to develop communication skills, conflict resolution, plan development, and leadership. All critical skills are needed in the real world.
Furthermore, we take it to next level yet again by teaching students how to write code to HACK into the Minecraft world using the world’s most powerful coding languages like Python and Java. We really blow their minds when we bridge the physical world by connecting LEDs, buzzers, and buttons that they can code to bridge the Minecraft virtual world to the real physical world by making sounds, teleporting at the push of a button, or creating a diamond detector that lights up an LED when near a diamond resource! This area of study is known as Physical Computing and I have used it throughout my physics career; whether to look at individual atoms on a multi-million dollar Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) at Brookhaven National Lab or to probe the magnetic moment of elements at the billion-dollar Advance Light Source synchrotron at Lawrence Berkley National Lab. I learned these skills during college — What will these young innovators come up with when they are starting as early as 6 years old?!
Get Started
Our SciTech Summer Camp is a great place to begin. It is Minecraft centric and goes deep into STEM!
Minecraft is available across most major platforms. We encourage you try it out for yourself. To download it and get started click here. This is a great starting tutorial for Survival Mode. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out and we will try to get you pointed in the right direction 😉
Digital fabrication technology also referred to as 3D Printing or additive manufacturing, is a method of making a physical object from a three-dimensional model from a digital file or CAD model. It is ‘additive’ in that it doesn’t require a block of material or mold to manufacture physical objects, instead, the material is deposited, joined, or solidified under computer control, with material being added together, typically layer by layer.
Sounds high-tech doesn’t it? But believe it or not, computer-aided additive manufacturing processes have been around for more than 30 years. However, the technology, now most commonly referred to as 3D Printing, is advancing rapidly, making its way to labs, schools, and even homes, reshaping manufacturing in the 21st century.
3D design and fabrication opens up inspiring possibilities and opportunities. Users from kids to adults can immediately hold, evaluate, test, and use their ideas, reshaping the fields of art, design, architecture, science, technology, and engineering by revolutionizing how things are made.
But you still might be asking:
Why bring 3D printing into the lab?
How can 3D Printing help my child learn problem-solving skills and develop critical thinking?
How will 3D Printing technology engage my child and help them in their future?
To help answer those questions, let’s dive into the Top 3 Reasons STEAMwhiz Uses 3D Printing as an Educational Tool.
Top 3 Reasons for 3D Printing in the Lab
1. Put the “A” in S.T.E.A.M
The arts are vital for student success!
3D Printers have emerged as powerful tools to introduce art in the lab, where students have the freedom to create, innovate, and solve. Through the use of 3D design and fabrication, our lab participants, your students, will engage themselves in the full design process from start to finish. Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, lab participants will design 3D objects using elements of art, math, and engineering and then create physical representations of that object using one of our several printers.
By designing 3D objects using CAD software, students can better understand how 3D shapes fit and work together to create 3D models based on their imagination, as well as scientific and mathematical principles. Being able to understand how 3D shapes work and fit together can also result in an improvement in spatial intelligence, an overlooked indicator of future student success, and a vital part of learning development, according to a recent study by Vanderbilt University.
2. Growth Mindset – Learn from Failure
In a traditional classroom, student success is normally measured by a passing or failing grade on a test. While there are many flaws in this approach, this approach mainly ignores the lessons that can be learned from failure. The lessons we learn from failure are just as important as the lessons we learn from success, or even more important. Failure develops resiliency, and being able to learn from our mistakes is a vital skill that we want to support in our students – not only as a character trait but also as a skill set for their future.
3D design and fabrication have been proven to be great tools for facilitating learning through failure. As students undergo the design process of analyzing, modifying, and testing their design multiple times before they are successful. If a print ends up failing, students will be able to go back to analyze and modify their design until they are successful. Even Yoda said, “The greatest teacher, failure is.”
3. Real-World Problem Solving
Giving our students dynamic experiences can instill the passion for ‘thinking & doing’ and plant seeds for the future.
Not only does the 3D printing process from design to fabrication make subject matter and technical subjects more engaging but also ignites students’ curiosity and interest in STEM fields – this is especially valuable when applied at an early age. This is why we have created a lab program specifically designed for our littlest ‘thinkers & doers’ from 5.5 to 7 years old.
One of the biggest benefits of 3D printing is its ability to facilitate real-world problem-solving in the lab. Whether it’s accelerating the innovation process so students can experience the entire product design process from A to Z or innovating actual designs to solve current real-world problems from assistive technology to 3D printed coral, to large structures such as bridges, houses, and even boats.
3D Printing has the power to change the way students learn! But make no mistake – leveraging educational technology isn’t as simple as having the latest and greatest technology in the lab – it’s about effectively integrating that technology into the curriculum in a way that engages, supports, and inspires all learners and that’s what we do here at STEAMwhiz – CREATE + INNOVATE + SOLVE!
Get Started and Jump In
Getting started is easy thanks to great free tools specifically designed for kids! We highly recommend TinkerCAD as a great entry point into to start thinking and designing in 3 dimensions. Even better you can take these creations and send them to us to 3D print for you =D
We are gearing up to reach more early education students across the good ol’ US of A in the latter half of 2022 (stay tuned). Our mission is to empower more students with the knowledge to become innovative problem solvers that will prepare them for their future, not our past. Our Co-founder and Program Director Allie and I have worked at all levels of the nation’s education system, from public school teachers to curriculum developers at National Laboratories to doing fundamental research at the highest levels of science in America to working at Fortune 100 companies! We are creating both in-person labs and digital courses (coming Fall/Winter 2022) to pass this knowledge on to the up and coming generations. This means that we are not developing one-off projects but a deep curriculum for students rooted in (S)cience (T)ech (E)ngineering (A)rt (M)ath to provide the fundamental and technical acumen to become the innovative problem solvers of tomorrow. You might ask why STEAM? Well, we believe that these fields have a bright future that will not only provide excellent careers for young students but allow them to be creative in amazing ways and exploits their natural curiosity about the world around them. By tapping into their potential, as early as 6 years old, we believe they will be able to find solutions to the novel and difficult problems they will face in the future!
Physical Computing
An amazing development in the last decade or so is the accessibility of Physical Computing for young students! What is physical computing and why is it important? Well we know computing is related to computers right 😋 let’s give it a bit more of a formal definition
COMPUTING is any goal-oriented activity requiring, benefiting from, or creating computing machinery.
Wikipeda
In other words, it’s the use of a computer to accomplish some goal or task. This typically resides inside of the computer in the virtual world. Some examples are creating a scientific model to predict the weather or writing a blog post like this one 😄
Now we add the word PHYSICAL to the term COMPUTING and we move out of the virtual-only world and interact with the physical ‘real’ world as well.
PHYSICAL COMPUTING involves interactive systems that can sense and respond to the world around them.
This is basically at the heart of all our technology; bridging the human physical world with the virtual technological one! Now imagine the amazing creativity and ingenuity that the next generation of students can explore with these tools at their disposal, if we transform the when, what, and how we teach them!
Raspberry Pi’s
The GP (i.e. General Purpose) are the PINs used for physical Computing
Ok, so how does the Raspberry Pi fit into all of this? The Raspberry Pi is an amazingly powerful, little single-board computer that is relatively inexpensive for students to explore Physical Computing. What makes it different than any other computer? While it is a ‘normal’ computer that can be used to browse the internet, write a document, and code a program, it also has an amazing suite of programs geared for kids to explore computing! Moreover, it has special PINs called General Purpose Input Output PINs (aka GPIO PINs) that allow the Raspberry Pi to connect to sensors, lights, motors, actuators, buzzers, pumps, and so much more. It bridges the physical world into the virtual one like the videos above!
STEAMwhiz Pi
One challenge of the Raspberry Pi is that there is a barrier to entry that requires a certain level of technical understanding to really unlock its power. So what we have done at STEAMwhiz is create a wonderful plug and play solution for parents and students, which we call the STEAMwhiz Pi 😅
The STEAMwhiz Pi (pictured above) is basically an exact clone of what we use in our in-person labs, with a touch screen and the exact software configuration we use to teach our students throughout the academic year! This allows for our students to continue working & innovating at home well after they leave the lab. Bonus they can use it for their school work too, as it’s a full-blown desktop computer!
Isaac putting in the work at home and doing physical computing after lab!
Where is this all going? Well, while there are great tutorials online and fun project boxes, most are not really targeting early education & holistic curriculum development. So it is possible for some very driven students to learn, but it’s mostly geared toward an older audience through standalone disconnected projects. In Q3 & Q4 of 2022, we will begin the rollout of our STEAMwhiz app to deliver STEAM courses specifically targeting early education which will be a full-blown curriculum to provide our decades of experience to students across the country in a fun animated storybook fashion. The STEAMwhiz Pi is the first step so parents can just plug and play a system for their children to begin exploring the world of physical computing! You can learn more about the STEAMwhiz Pi here.
Getting Started in Physical Computing
In the meantime, while we roll out our STEAMwhiz app, we encourage our students and parents to check out the links below to get started in the world of physical computing and get those inquisitive minds working! Feel free to reach out if you have questions or comments and we will be happy to engage.
This tutorial introduces some basic electronic components and how to use a great coding language called Python to control LEDS, buzzers, and more! Python is ubiquitous in research and industry throughout the world and is an excellent first coding language to start out with.
The tutorial above introduces physical computing using a drag and drop visual block coding language known as Scratch. If you are unfamiliar you can read more about it in our other post here. We recommend this for students who can read and write but are just starting to dip their toes into coding.
Once you have gone through the tutorials above you can check out more here fun projects from the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
“You want to wake up in the morning and think the future is going to be great – and that’s what being a spacefaring civilization is all about. It’s about believing in the future and thinking that the future will be better than the past. And I can’t think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars.” – Elon Musk
4 days ago history was made and it was awesome! SpaceX and NASA’S launch marked the start of the commercial crew era of U.S. human spaceflight and a return to American operated spacecraft. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center on May 30, 2020, and docked 19 hours later with the ISS. NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station is a critical final flight test of the SpaceX crew transportation system.
I can’t believe it has been almost 10 years since the last American space shuttle was launched. Launches were tracked, watched in school, celebrated accomplishments, or mourned losses. Space was my thing! When the book, Apollo 13 was released, my friend and I had a competition to see who could finish it the fastest. I don’t quite remember who won that competition, but I do remember dreaming of becoming an astronaut. Even though my life path was turned in a different direction, I never stopped being awed by the greatness of space, space flight, and space exploration. Maybe my love from space came from living a short drive from Cape Canaveral and being able to witness rockets shooting to the stars. But I believe it is something much simpler, ingrained in all humans, uniting humanity together; the spirit of exploration! And this launch revived that spirit in me.
NASA, America’s space program, will continue to work with commercial companies like SpaceX and Boeing to design, build, test, and operate cost-effective human transportation systems to low-Earth orbit and eventually beyond. While this is an important mission, this is not what brought on tears and goose-bumps as I watched SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket the Crew Dragon spacecraft safely to the ISS with my young children. It was being able to witness the spirit of humanity working together and creating a “future better than the past” for my children and my children’s children. While STEAMwhiz is not physically launching astronauts into space (hmmm…maybe one day!), we hope our philosophy to inspire a love of learning and doing by making keen observations, asking insightful questions, and learning exciting stuff, will keep humans among the stars. We and all humankind are ready for the ‘Next Giant Leap!’
There is scattered (pun intended) information out there regarding mask/filter effectiveness, and being the ‘STEAM’team, we had to test things out for ourselves and make sense of all the noise. So we constructed an experiment, hooked up some sensors, wired some electronics, and put the filters to the test. If you need a mask, you can order the STEAMwhiz mask which we found to perform just as good as N95 masks in our tests. Read here to learn why STEAMwhiz is printing masks.
Intro
We are busy cooking up a nice research article “COVID-19: What you Need to Know”, so we won’t go into details here such as how big is the virus, do I need a mask, or how is the virus spread, etc. Instead we will focus on comparing the performance of different masks to N95 masks.
The N95 Mask Standard
N95 masks are typically made up of 3 separate layers and the main filter medium consists of non-woven polypropylene. The ‘N’ in N95 stands for ‘Not Oil Resistant’. There are two other classifications ‘R – Resistant to oil’, ‘P – Oil Proof’ but for protection against COVID-19, N-type masks are what we are after. The ’95’ declares a 95% filtration efficacy of 0.3 micron (um) particles. If you are interested you can read more about the mask and standards over on the CDC’s website. We will detail ‘how good’ a mask needs to be for COVID-19 in the aforementioned research article. For this article, our goal will be to compare mask filter medium to N95 masks, as it is the standard used every day in the medical field for folks who are constantly exposed to various contagions.
Setup
We researched various setups and decided to go with a ‘candle test’ and laser-scattering particle detector to see which filter was up to snuff. When a candle is extinguished it generates a spectrum of fine particles and is routinely used in research for filtration tests. We funneled these particles up to the filter medium without any additional acceleration from fans etc. The particle detector has a resolution of 0.3 microns (particle size used to rate N95 masks) and was placed in a custom-airtight housing after the filter medium. For the filter mediums, we decided to test the following: an N95 mask (which is made up of three layers), the polypropylene filter medium used in the STEAMwhiz masks, and three fabric-type mask – a two t-shirt layered mask, a quilted-muslin-quilted fabric mask, and a folded bandanna (making two layers total). We also exposed the sensor directly to the particles as a control. The room humidity was 42% and the ambient temperature was 20 C for all the following tests.
Results and Discussion
Figure 1 shows the the number of particles above certain sizes. The No Filter (red) is basically the saturation point for the sensor for each particle size.
From Figure 1 we can gain some insight to the performance of each mask type. Some of the important takeaway are:
The bandanna mask (orange) appears to offer no detectable filtration for particles below 1.0 um and modest filtration for particles above 2.5 um.
The t-shirt mask (green) is slightly better than the bandanna where we can detect some effectiveness for particles above 1-micron
The quilt mask (turquoise) is the best performing fabric mask and is the only fabric mask to offer some form of sub-1-micron particle filtration
The N95 and STEAMwhiz masks appear equivalent and successfully filter out all particles above 2.5-microns
Figure 2 shows the number of particles for various size ranges.
Figure 2 clearly shows how much better the polypropylene-based masks perform across the board. The N95 and STEAMwhiz filters allowed approximately 50 particles ranging from 0.3-0.5um per 0.1L of air, whereas the fabric masks allowed 100 – 1000 times more particles through their respective layers. Interestingly, the multi-layered quilted mask becomes quite effective for particles larger than 10um. The bandanna was left off due to its overall ineffectiveness, but the t-shirt mask was 10 times worse than the quilted mask and approximately 1000 times worse than the N95 and STEAMwhiz masks.
Figure 3 shows an image of a (a) bandanna and a (b)t-shirt.
Figure 3 shows close up images of the (a) bandanna and (b) t-shirt. You can clearly see the woven pattern and regular holes/pores typical of fabric materials. The pore sizes for the bandanna where slightly larger than the t-shirt at 135.8 um and 105.2 um, respectively. We also noticed that the t-shirt had more fibers that seems to cross the pores which effectively would reduce the size of the pores.
Figure 4 shows a magnified image of the (a) N95 mask and the (b) STEAMwhiz mask filter mediums.
We wanted to look more closely at the filter mediums that performed the best to better understand the differences. The N95 mask shown in Figure 4 (a) shows a dense pattern of non-woven fibers. The STEAMwhiz mask shown in Figure 4 (b) also shows a dense pattern of slightly larger non-woven fibers. The two filter mediums also varied in total thicknesses/number of layers. The N95 mask had 3 primary layers that measure approximately 0.5 mm, while the STEAMwhiz had about 5 layers and was 1.5 mm in total thickness. So why do the masks perform so well? There are no pores! The fibers cross each other at various angles which fill in any large pores and is unlike what we see above for the woven fabrics.
Conclusion
If you have access to some N95 masks, you should use them as they are quite effective at removing ultra-fine particles (duh). If you don’t have one, no worries, you can order the STEAMwhiz masks we’ve tested. Not only does it perform just as well as the N95 masks in our test above, but you will also help curtail the critical shortage of N95 masks for our amazing health care workers who knowingly exposing themselves to a deadly virus. It is also much more comfortable and easier to use which you can read more about here.
For the masks to be effective fit is critical; if it doesn’t fit it won’t work well and you can forget about how well the filter medium works. Health care works are typically fitted for N95 masks to maximize their effectiveness. The STEAMwhiz masks come in various sizes and the tension is easily adjustable to help ensure a snug fit.
If you need to wait for a mask and are still going out and about, using fabrics that you have around the house is a great idea! We suggest using the multi-layered mask above, but even a bandanna around your nose and mouth offers some level of protection starting at the 2.5-micron range. While this won’t filter out the coronavirus itself (~0.125 microns), the particles that are spread from a sneeze or cough are typically attached to large particles tens of microns in size. So even a bandanna will offer some level of protection for you and those around you (in case you are unknowingly infected). You can read more about our coronavirus research here ‘COVID-19 What you Need to Know” (coming soon).
We hope this was informative and helpful. While we have spent quite of bit of time getting these things together, it feels good to know we are doing something to help keep people safe and get our country back working again! Feel free to leave us a comment below or contact us with any questions.
If you like our educational content consider supporting STEAMwhiz by checking out our store or donating to the cause =D
You may be asking, why is STEAMwhiz, an educational hub for experiential science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematical adventures printing reusable mask respirator kits? If so, read more here. Looking for basic info on STEAMwhiz’s mask, make sure to watch the video below and read on…
Let’s go over the mask basics–
Performance
In our tests, the STEAMwhiz mask performed as good as a commercial N95 mask. Read more about about the test and performance of these masks and more in Dr. JP’s write up here.
Sizing
To help ensure proper fit, (3) sizes are available with kid sizing in the works inside the MakerLab. Thanks to the addition of the PE foam to obtain optimal seal and comfort, sizing is quite forgivable. My measurements indicate that I am a size (S). However, I am also able to wear a (M). So do not overstress over a few mm.
Sizing: Measure from the bottom of the chin to the bridge of the nose. Small ~ 100mm, Medium ~ 120mm, Large ~ 140mm
What’s Included
This is a reusable mask kit for personal protection. The kit includes (1) mask, (4) elastic straps, (1) harness w/strap adjusters, and multiple filter housings with the fitted filter medium. Made from lightweight PLA plastic, the mask and “X” harness are easy to clean, comfortable and provide an excellent seal. PE foam is used for an airtight seal and provides all-day comfort. Unlike the N95 masks, where the polypropylene filter fibers are in direct contact with your skin causing irritation, the PE foam will provide a nice cushioned seal without embedding fine fibers into your skin.
The mask kit includes the filter medium (95% 1 um particles), already installed in the removable filter housings, which provides the needed protection from sneezes and coughs. We have two options available to select from:
2 filter housings with filter medium cut and fitted for the occasional use –or–
5 filter housings with filter medium cut and fitted for the workweek
Assembly Instructions
Before using the masks, we suggest inserting an additional layer, such as a coffee filter or paper towel, behind the filter housing for extra protection from particles that may come loose over time from the polypropylene filter medium (the same material that irritates your skin from the N95 masks). Use the plastic filter housing as a template to cut your additional layers of protection. It does not need to be precise, a slight overhang is ideal in this case. Insert additional layer between mouth shield and removable plastic filter housing, that is fitted with the filter medium. Clear as mud? Check out STEAMwhiz’s Assembly and Mask Care Instructional video (coming soon).
Filter housings snap in place and are removable for added convenience. Install and use (1) filter housing throughout the day and replace it with a new filter housing the next day.
The last thing you want is uncomfortable protection. PPE needs to fit properly and be comfortable enough to wear for the duration of your task or day. PPE that strains your ears, irritates your skin, and constantly needs adjusting will not provide you proper protection. That is why STEAMwhiz’s 3D-Printed Mask is fitted with comfortable PE foam and an adjustable “X” harness.
The final step in assembling your STEAMwhiz mask is to adjust the elastic strap length using the strap adjusters on the 3D-printed harness to ensure a snug seal. Multiple holes are provided for each elastic strap to ensure the optimal fit. Just say “No” to ear-fatigue!
Mask Care and Cleaning:
Clean the mask/harness by removing the filter housing with filter medium and spraying/wiping it with any common disinfectant. DO NOT spray down filter medium, as this could cause a premature break down of fibers. Here at STEAMwhiz our go-to disinfectant is an easy to make bleach/water solution. Each day we mix up 16 oz. of water with 2 teaspoons of bleach in a reusable spray bottle. This bottle is used throughout the day on surfaces, packages, masks, and any other items that can be safely disinfected with bleach.
Here are the guidelines to make a bleach/water solution recommended by the CDC:
Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Leave the solution on the surface for at least 1 minute. To make a bleach solution, mix:
5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water OR
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours
Allow used filter housing to sit in a breathable bag, such as a paper bag, for a few days before using it again. Cycle through the other filter housings throughout the work week or whenever a mask is needed. Each day put used filter housing into a new breathable bag. Write the date to help keep this process organized. Remember DO NOT spray filter medium with disinfectant.
Note: We do not recommend using steam as this could deform the mask as temperatures approach 60C.
“Nice face mask! Where did you get it?” asks a grocery associate to my dad. He proudly responds, “My daughter made it for me on a 3D printer.” Grocery associate says, “Very cool!” My dad’s response sums up this post nicely, “Yeah…as far as face masks go (queue head-shaking).” So if you gotta wear a mask, might as well wear the coolest one!
Here we are at the start– A physicist and an educator brainstorming awesome ways we can reach and inspire all ‘STEAMist’; present and future, young and old, through MakerLab spaces and workshops, then queue world pandemic of Covid-19. Businesses and schools are closed, gatherings canceled, extra-curricular classes can no longer meet; you can’t even go to the grocery store without worrying about how to protect yourself and loved ones. So you might be asking, why is STEAMwhiz, an educational hub for experiential science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematical adventures printing reusable mask respirator kits? And if you are…we are elated, as that is one of the first steps in becoming a ‘STEAMwhiz-er’, make keen observations, ask insightful questions, and learn exciting stuff. And that is exactly what we did here at STEAMwhiz (we like to practice what we preach).
Make Keen Observations
A problem was identified. As the world scientific community continues to study the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, we know that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus are asymptomatic and that even those who are pre-symptomatic can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—such as, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—without even knowing it! In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (i.e., grocery stores and pharmacies).
Ask Insightful Questions
But are cloth face coverings enough? Are they reliable and comfortable enough to be used all day, everyday? Are our elder parents protected enough? Surgical masks and N-95 respirators must be preserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, so how do “we,” the general public help flatten the curve, protect our families and communities, and re-open businesses and educational facilities? And do these questions align with the STEAMwhiz mission “to inspire the next-gen “STEAMist”? That is a resounding YES! We inspire by making and doing! We powered up our 3D printer, designed a mask with a replaceable filter cartridge, bought some elastic (who knew elastic and toilet paper were going to be the hot items of 2020), assembled and shipped them to our family (thanks for being our guinea pigs!). And we are now ready to offer them to you and your loved ones. For every one purchased, we will be donating 3D-printed PPE to an essential worker or first responder in need.
Learn Exciting stuff
Our resident research scientist, Dr. JP, was also ready to take on the challenge of learning exciting stuff. Dr. JP designed an experiment to test the efficiency of different filtering masks. Scientific papers were read, tools were ordered, and measurements were taken.Read his post here on the exciting world of testing mask and filter science. Learning new stuff is awesome…but you know what’s even more awesome? Using that knowledge to help solve a problem. And that is what we did here at STEAMwhiz…we made keen observations, asked insightful questions, learned exciting stuff, and now we want to share that knowledge with YOU!
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