scrapyardchallenge workshop

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Since 2003, the Scrapyard Challenge workshops have been held 37 times in 14 countries across the 5 continents of Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Australia. Follow us on Twitter: Scrapchall.

A picture of a "cup" instrument from the workshop at Distance Lab (Forres, Scotland - 1/07) ABOUT SCRAPYARD CHALLENGE WORKSHOPS

The Scrapyard Challenge Workshops are intensive workshops where participants build simple electronic projects (both digital and analog inputs) out of found or discarded "junk" (old electronics, clothing, furniture, outdated computer equipment, appliances, turntables, monitors, gadgets, etc..). So far the workshops have been held 37 times in 14 countries, on 5 continents with 3 different themes including the MIDI Scrapyard Challenge where participants build simple musical controllers from discarded objects and "junk", DIY Wearable Challenge where they create wearable tech projects from used clothing, and the DIY Urban Challenge where they work on public space interventions and other projects. The MIDI Scrapyard version includes a mini workshop where participants build simple drawing robots or "DrawBots" with small, inexpensive motors, batteries, and drawing markers that can also be connected to Serial or MIDI interface. At the end of the day or evening, the workshop participants have a small performance, concert, or fashion show (depending on the workshop theme) where they demonstrate and present their creations together as a group. No electronics skills or any experience with technology is necessary to participate in the workshops.

A picture from the workshop during ElectroFringe (Newcastle, Australia - 10/03)

OPEN AND COLLABORATIVE SPACE The Scrapyard Challenge Workshops are built on the premise of encouraging an open and collaborative space for creative ideas and hands-on prototyping. Workshop attendees learn how to build a variety of projects from found and/or discarded objects. We encourage attendance from visitors from multiple backgrounds and all skill levels.