Join Julian as he creates a catapult from paddle pop sticks and rubber bands.
Resources
Bricking It! Lego Challenge Home Workshop
We challenge you to add Lego to existing objects and keep them functional – or improve them! Post your amazing creations to our social media channels above or hashtag #innovationstew. Check out Jonathan’s working Lego Shower and working Lego DVD Remote!
Rainbow Chocolate Microwave Popcorn! Cooking Home Workshop
Make your own Microwave Popcorn with regular popcorn kernels in less time than it takes to microwave them!
Take your popcorn to the next level with our second recipe:
🌈🍫🍿 Rainbow Chocolate Microwave Popcorn 🌈🍫🍿
All you need is popcorn kernels, a bag , some oil – and either salt, sugar or chocolate!
CNRL Interactive Science Workshop – Chromatography
Join Amy as she separates the colours in texters using chromatography.
CNRL Interactive Science Workshop – Jumping Marbles
Join Julian as he creates a crazy roller with marbles that uses inertia.
Template: Jumping Marbles Template
CNRL Interactive Science Workshop – Escaping Water
Join Amy as she helps water escape a container using cohesion.
Dirtbags! Gardening Science Home Workshop
Create a self-watering micro-climate garden on your window sill and watch how plants grow both above and below the soil!
Micro:bit Tutorial 3 – Turtle Graphics
This Micro:bit Turtle Tutorial is by the CNRL Library Innovation Studio. The tutorial uses the Makecode website to program a virtual Micro:bit from within your browser. It can be found at https://makecode.microbit.org/
Oily Painting! Arty Science Home Workshop
Can the radiant beauty of Stained Glass be replicated with crayons texters and vegetable oil? Jonathan finds out!
Slime! Messy Science Home Workshop
Learn how to make 100% edible (but disgusting) Oobleck Slime with just Corn Flour and Water (and if you don’t want white slime: Food Colouring). This non-newtonian fluid has to be poured, squished and toyed with to be believed!
Introduction to Home Workshops
Find out what sort of things you’ll need in our new Home Workshops (hint: most of it you’d normally recycle), who these workshops are aimed at (hint: it’s you) and the sort of things we will be doing!
Micro:bit Tutorial 2 – Decisions and Loops
In this tutorial you will work with a virtual micro:bit – code along free at makecode.microbit.org!
Micro:bit Tutorial 1 – The Screen
In this tutorial you will work with a virtual micro:bit – code along free at makecode.microbit.org!
Digital Cutter
Our Janome Artistic Edge 15X digital cutter is great for custom cutouts for scrapbooks, quilting and embroidery. It uses standard vector files to cut designs on cardboard, fabric or vinyl up to 15 x 15 inches (380mm x 380mm). A pen attachment is also available to draw patterns on fabric for easy embroidery. We have a list of verified cutting settings to use with SimpleCut software which is easy to use and supports a wide range of image formats
If you have a project or would like to learn more about our Digital Cutter book an induction or contact us for more information.
3D Printer
Our Makerbot Replicator 2 3D Printer is a popular machine that is a lot of fun to work with. It can print 3D models with a base of 285mm x 153mm and a height of 155mm. The Makerbot Print software is easy to use and can import models or print STL files downloaded from the internet. We have a large range of coloured filament to choose from.
We use PLA filament, a tough plant-based plastic that can be made to biodegrade under the right conditions, or can be recycled back into PLA filament for re-use. PLA gives your 3D models a detailed result with a smooth finish.
If you have a project or would like to learn more about our 3D printer book an induction or contact us for more information.
3D Scanner
Our Makerbot Digitizer 3D Scanner can turn your real life object into a 3D model. Once you have your 3D model this can be imported into 3D games, Virtual Reality or printed on our 3D Printer. It can scan 3D models with a base of 411mm x 475mm and a height of 203mm.
If you have a project or would like to learn more about our 3D scanner book an induction or contact us for more information.
Laser Cutter
Our Emblaser 2 laser cutter is a versatile machine – it is able to cut wood, paper, cardboard, felt, plastic, rubber and cork. It can also engrave aluminium, slate and fabric. We have a growing list of verified laser settings for best results using Lightburn software, which is easy to use and can import from many other formats. Vector based files give the fastest results with the most flexibility of control, but black-and-white image files can also be used or converted into vectors.
If you have a project or would like to learn more about our laser cutter, book an induction or contact us for more information.
Virtual Reality
Our Windows Mixed Reality Headset is a fully immersive headset. It tracks movement and has 2 controllers that allow interaction with the 3D environment. You can build games and applications for VR or create and edit 3D models using free “Unity” software and other programs.
If you have a project or would like to learn more about our virtual reality headset, book an induction or contact us for more information.
Opening Hours
The CNRL Library Innovation Studio is open to adults and ages 16+ upstairs at Tamworth City Library at the times listed below, with special events and after-school clubs at other times for younger ages (see our events page). Schools can also book excursions to the Library Innovation Studio.
@ Tamworth Library |
|
|---|---|
| Kids Makerspace | Tuesday 3.30pm - 6pm |
| Homeschoolers Makerspace | Wednesday 10am - 12pm |
| Adults Makerspace | Thursday 1pm - 5pm |
We are closed on Public Holidays and most School Holidays - full details here.
Equipment Inductions
A confident computer proficency is required to use most of our equipment, and but some items will also require a formal safety induction.
Book into our group induction session now on our Events page, or contact us if these times do not suit.