# 374: Getting Rafty

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2021-05-27
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 374
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/374

## Summary

Tenaya Hurst Conklin, Student Program Coordinator at RAFT, discusses her career journey from The Tech Museum and Arduino to her current role creating STEAM learning kits and curriculum for teachers and students. She details the challenges of teaching electronics remotely, such as shipping oversized kits with backup components to prevent student frustration, and explains RAFT's focus on upcycled materials and hands-on 'abiotic dissection' activities. Conklin also shares advice on how to start similar grassroots makerspaces by sourcing donated materials and building community partnerships.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty#t=6) Introduction and Career History
- [14:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty#t=862) RAFT's Mission and Upcycled Materials
- [16:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty#t=987) Challenges of Remote Electronics Education
- [20:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty#t=1211) Curriculum Design and Teacher Support
- [36:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty#t=2160) Abiotic Dissection and Reverse Engineering
- [56:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty#t=3380) Starting a Makerspace and Educational Philosophy

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- RAFT (company)
- Arduino (product)
- LilyPad (product)
- Metcal (tool)
- The Tech Museum of Innovation (company)
- Galileo University (company)
- Make Magazine (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S1E37 Inspiring the Rising Generation of Engineers | Danielle Boyer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-09-18-s1e37-inspiring-the-rising-generation-of-engineers-danielle-boyer) (Being an Engineer)
- [Episode 067: Awww, look at that poor little piece of rope](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-04-15-episode-067-awww-look-at-that-poor-little-piece-of-rope) (Making It)
- [528: Grippy Bits](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-06-05-528-grippy-bits) (Making It)
- [Episode 294: Bwhu, bwhu, bwhu, bwhu](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-02-05-episode-294-bwhu-bwhu-bwhu-bwhu) (Making It)
- [Ep 190: Fun with Resin Printing, Tiny Tanks, Lo-Fi Orchestra, and Deep Thoughts with Al Williams](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-10-21-ep-190-fun-with-resin-printing-tiny-tanks-lo-fi-orchestra-and-deep-thoughts-with) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-05-27-374-getting-rafty. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.