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In our twice offered course, Off-the-Grid, technologies we have examined are: electrical, communication, and water grids.

This second version of Off-the-Grid studio, we worked with a client-- A project working to redevelop schools in Syria-- This collaboration provided us real world insight into the complex meaning and impact of power grids.

Working with the Syria initiative to rebuild schools which our founder, Saeed Aruda, our students created educational projects for students in Syria. These projects are designed to contribute to healing Syria's broken grid system while also teaching about art, science and technology.

OFF-THE-GRID: SYRIA EDITION

EXERCISES, VISITORS, PRECEDENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS: OFF-THE-GRID SYRIA

OFF-THE-GRID: SYRIA

SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING RESOURCES, PLAYING SPORTS, MAKING MUSIC/CRAFTS

By GABE & NICO/ ANDREW &

SAM/ MABEL, CASPER, SAMMY/ VICTORIA & ABIGAIL/ GIBRAN & CAROLINE

Meshtastic's implementation in Syria.

Matthew McAdam, Lloyd Graves

PROJECT THESIS

Project statement: Our project aims to create communication grid guides that utilize Meshtastic to encourage hands on education in Syrian schools while allowing them to create their own self reliant communication device.

PRECEDENTS

؜School over radio

Diy radio example

؜Grid based communication network.

Ambessa play

SKETCHES & MODELS

FIRST ITERATION

Our first iteration was a small radio that could send messages about 100 feet. It sent simple text messages, without input.

SECOND ITERATION

The second idea was an FM radio transmitter. This was built from scratch, no Arduino or any micro controller. However this also failed, as the circuit was non functional. We also worried that using FM would cause legal problems.

THIRD ITERATION

The third and final idea that we ended up executing in the end was creating Meshtastic devices. This is a low end prototype without any housing.

DATA COLLECTION:

ANSWERS:

WHAT IS MESHTASTIC

Meshtastic is open source radio firmware that allows radios (or nodes as their called in Meshtastic) to communicate with one another via text. It also allows the creating of a mesh based radio network that allows for the sending of messages over long distances.

MESHING AROUND

We wanted to create our ideal meshtasitc device. If we were to create one with all of our high fidelity tools and resources what would that look like and what would its functions be.

DELIVERABLES

Our book on how to build your own Meshtastic device, covering skill building like soldering, has resources on where to start and how to build, and overall meshtastic grid education.

1. Create a More complete guide
2. need to show more info about creating there own device housings
3. need to work on sourcing
4. look into implementing other peripherals to work around the users need such as a battery and hand crank
5. need to adjust the guide formatting to optimize for ink usage - thanks gabe!
6. continue the guide to show skills such as wiring and soldering and flashing the firmware
7. simplify the instructional infographics to make the assembly a lot easier

FUTURE CONTINUATION:

PROJECT THESIS

Project statement: Our project aims to create communication grid guides that utilize Meshtastic to encourage hands on education in Syrian schools while allowing them to create their own self reliant communication device.

PRECEDENTS

Jimmy Kamara, 9, is one of the students in Sierra Leone who use radios to continue their education while schools remain closed owing to Ebola.

Diy radio example

Open source off the grid cell network system allowing for gps, tracking of devices, text and audio communication amongst other things.

Ambessa play

SKETCHES & MODELS

FIRST ITERATION

Our first iteration was a small radio that could send messages about 100 feet. It sent simple text messages, without input.

SECOND ITERATION

The second idea was an FM radio transmitter. This was built from scratch, no Arduino or any micro controller. However this also failed, as the circuit was non functional. We also worried that using FM would cause legal problems.

THIRD ITERATION

The third and final idea that we ended up executing in the end was creating Meshtastic devices. This is a low end prototype without any housing.

DATA COLLECTION:

ANSWERS:

WHAT IS MESHTASTIC

Meshtastic is open source radio firmware that allows radios (or nodes as their called in Meshtastic) to communicate with one another via text. It also allows the creating of a mesh based radio network that allows for the sending of messages over long distances.

MESHING AROUND

We wanted to create our ideal meshtasitc device. If we were to create one with all of our high fidelity tools and resources what would that look like and what would its functions be.

DELIVERABLES

Our book on how to build your own Meshtastic device, covering skill building like soldering, has resources on where to start and how to build, and overall meshtastic grid education.

1. Need to complete guide to provide better detail on the assembly, configureation, skill building, and overall explanation. In addition the infographics need to me improved to better communicate information.
2. need to show more info about creating there own device housings
3. need to work on sourcing
4. look into implementing other peripherals to work around the users need such as a battery and hand crank
5. need to adjust the guide formatting to optimize for ink usage - thanks gabe!
6. continue the guide to show skills such as wiring and soldering and flashing the firmware
7. simplify the instructional infographics to make the assembly a lot easier

FUTURE CONTINUATION: