Hi, I’m Parker

I have always been curious about the world around me and how things work. I hope you enjoy looking at the projects I’ve completed. If you would like to get in touch, contact me at parkerlofstrom1021 [at] gmail.com.

Experience
  • BitSpace Maker Lab – maker from 2015 – 2021
  • Pumping Station Maker Space – current maker
  • Loyola Academy – Clavius Scholars Honors Program
  • Loyola Academy – Architecture Club
  • Loyola Academy – Sailing Team
  • Loyola Academy – Peer Tutor
  • Loyola Academy – Student Ambassador
  • Loyola Academy – Theater Prop Design and Construction Team / Annie performance 2021
  • Illinois Junior Academy of Science 2019 – Top Board Winner, Regionals; Concept Schools Award Recipient; Gold medal, State competition

  • Haunted House – design, props, construction, production, live event management – 2014 – 2019 (2020 canceled due to COVID)
  • Go-Kart (2 models) – design, engineering, construction
  • Fire-breathing Dragon – design, chemistry, production
  • Apps/Software – Fusion 360, Inkscape, Illustrator, NoLimits2
  • Tools/Skillsets – Prusa 3D printer, ShopBot CNC, universal and BOSS laser cutters, wood shop, electronics, cold metals

Fire breathing dragon and haunted house facade

Overview

As the drop wall was a feature item for the 2017 scare, I knew in 2019 I needed to go big. I constructed a haunted house facade to stand in front of the garage that guests would walk through to enter the haunt. This facade was designed and rendered in Fusion 360, then constructed using PVC pipe. This was then wrapped in fake brick tarping. The dragon was designed in Inkscape and the pieces were cut using the laser cutter. This was then constructed and covered in tin foil scales. These scales made it look shiny, but also provided heat resistance. To breath fire, lycopodium powder was used. This powder was blown through a tube out the mouth and lit using a lighter. This produced a large fireball.

  • Built

    Fall 2019

  • Category

    Engineering, chemistry, thermodynamics

  • Apps/Tools used

    Inkscape, Universal laser cutter, Fusion 360, woodworking tools