Design Squad Nation: Video Archives

Zipping Through Nicaragua

By Adam May 24, 2012 No comments | Leave a comment

We visited Nicaragua for the episode DIY Playground. And our very first day there was amazing! The highlight was a trip to a tall hill overlooking the capital city of Managua. We ate ice cream from a cart, learned some local history, and enjoyed fine views of the city and Lake Managua.

We also discovered a HUGE zip line that runs high above a lake. Since we have a zip line in the playground we're building, we got super excited -- and of course we had to go for a ride! And what a ride! I've never been so high or gone so fast on a zip line. What a great way to get excited about this huge playground build coming up!

Check out our big ride on the zip line. I can't wait to go again!

London's Newest Welder!

By Adam May 16, 2012 No comments | Leave a comment

I got to do something really neat for the Design Squad Nation episode Garden to Go -- teach Mariam how to TIG weld! She'd never touched a welding torch before, but she was really interested to learn.

Welding is a fun process. Turning cold, hard metal into a liquid is a pretty wild, powerful feeling. Best of all, knowing how to weld enables you to build some REALLY cool stuff.

In this video, I give Mariam her first welding lesson. She's a quick learner!

I hope she continues to practice, because I think it would be awesome for Global Generation to have a welder-in-residence.

Adam and Judy Engineer Chocolate!

By Design Squad Nation May 9, 2012 No comments | Leave a comment

In preparation for the Design Squad Nation It's Alive! episode, Adam and Judy headed into the kitchen with expert pastry chef Jorg Amsler to get a VIP lesson on how to make some cool edible designs.

In the first video Judy learns how to make flowers out of fondant to use as decoration on cupcakes. Fondant is a material pastry chefs use for sculpting decorations -- it is made out of a sugary syrup, making it easy to stick together.

In the next video, Adam takes his turn in the kitchen, learning how to turn fondant into a baseball bat! Adam and Jorg are able to recreate the look of a wooden bat by combining and folding three colors of fondant. So cool!

How to Build Your Own Skateboard!

By Design Squad Nation May 3, 2012 No comments | Leave a comment

Design Squad Nation hosts Adam and Judy got ready for the Apache Skateboarders episode by building and testing their own skateboard! Check out the video to see how it's done.

What kind of skatepark would you ride with your new board? Submit your designs on the Project page by clicking the wish below!

Amazingly Elaborate LEGO Machine!

By Design Squad Nation Apr 26, 2012 1 Comment | Leave a comment

Check out this cool LEGO machine, inspired by the work of Rube Goldberg, an engineer, inventor and cartoonist who in the early 1900's created elaborate inventions for the characters in his cartoons. The systems were very complicated, involving many steps, but served a simple goal like the "Self-Operating Napkin" below.

The Ideas Behind the MiBike

By Design Squad Nation Feb 24, 2012 8 Comments | Leave a comment

Check out this video of Adam and Daniel explaining the ideas behind one of our Trash to Treasure contest winning designs, the MiBike, as well as the lessons they learned by collaborating on the project.

Rooftop Garden!

By Design Squad Nation Feb 15, 2012 No comments | Leave a comment

DSN hero Mariam shows us the rooftop garden she and her team at Global Generation have built. Featured on the garden is a system to collect and clean water for use in the building below, plus a wind turbine, flowers, solar panels, and a composter. Awesome!

Check out Mariam's Heroes page to see her wish, become a fan, or give her a sticker by clicking the image below!

Rosie's Fashion Show!

By Design Squad Nation Feb 1, 2012 1 Comment | Leave a comment

My little pug dog, Rosie, has always been my sidekick. She follows me everywhere I go!

When Adam's mom heard about Rosie, she made the most beautiful pink jacket to keep her warm during the snowy winter. Adam's mom (we call her "Auntie Jeanie") and Rosie had a very special connection after that. With each Design Squad Nation episode, a new box would appear at our doorstep addressed to Rosie. Inside were beautifully handmade outfits just for her! Rosie doesn't normally wear a lot of clothes, but Auntie Jeanie's outfits made her feel special.

In this video, Rosie shares some of her outfits. She hopes you like them!

Party with Design Squad Nation!

By Design Squad Nation Dec 28, 2011 5 Comments | Leave a comment

What are the ingredients for a really fun party? Music, dancing, snacks -- and Design Squad Nation! Check out these party-themed episodes to see engineers just like you design musical instruments, build a dance-powered light show, and cook up some tasty barbecue. When you're done watching, try making your own party-themed inventions on our Projects page!

Rock On
The Design Squad teams make original musical instruments for the band Off White Noise. The instruments are put to the test when the band rocks out with them during a big concert at the Middle East nightclub!

Bodies Electric
The Design Squad-ers create a sound-and-light show triggered by hip-hop artist Wyatt Jackson's moves and grooves. Their show makes its big debut at a live performance at the Strand Theatre!

Tour de BBQ
The challenge: design a bicycle-powered rotisserie for Redbones BBQ Restaurant owner Rob Gregory. This episode is guaranteed to make you hungry!

Robotic Chefs!

By Design Squad Nation Nov 30, 2011 No comments | Leave a comment

In the It's Alive! episode, Adam and Judy used robotic parts to bring a cake to life. But what if the robot could actually make the cake for you? Well, the engineers in today's video asked themselves the very same question, and the results are delicious! The engineers are able to teach the robot how to cook by showing it the movements a chef makes - just like a game of Simon says, the robot copies the movements to prepare the food.

What if you could have your own robot chef? How would it work? What would it look like? Engineer Adam wants to know! Send your ideas and sketches to his project page by clicking the wish below!

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