Creative Circuitry (Workshop)

This workshop will be a hands-on introduction to “Creative Circuitry.” Participants will learn about craft and art projects which incorporate electrical circuits. Special emphasis will be placed on using these projects and methods in programs for children from diverse backgrounds and abilities. We will discuss techniques and strategies for incorporating Creative Circuitry into a variety of different educational contexts. The session will also include an introduction to basic electronics and circuit components. Workshop Description. This workshop explores “Creative Circuitry,” which we define as teaching elementary electrical circuit design and construction through projects where technology is embedded in craft. The presenters of this workshop, and their colleagues, have led Creative Circuitry explorations in a wide variety of settings for audiences ranging from PK-elementary classrooms, summer workshops for girls, library based drop-in sessions for teens and families, and an after-school program for Deaf students. The learning objectives of this workshop are: Technical Knowledge: Participants will learn the basics of electrical circuits and how to design/build them. Pedagogical Discussion: The effectiveness of using artistic projects to introduce circuits to children will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be given to the role e-textiles and creative circuitry can play in engaging students who are not typically well represented in STEM programs. Implementation: Participants will brainstorm and discuss ways to incorporate creative circuitry into their own educational settings. P ge 1.5.3 WORKSHOP PROPOSAL FORM 2015 Annual ASEE K-12 Workshop on Engineering Education “Authentic Engineering: Representing & Emphasizing the E in STEM” Presented by Dassault Systems Saturday, June 13, 2015 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sheraton Seattle | Seattle | WA CreatCirc2015-ASEE-K12-Proposa.docx Page 3 of 6 The session will begin with an explanation of a variety of Creative Circuitry projects, and an overview of the research literature on this topic, particularly as it applies to K-12 student learning. The hands-on component of the workshop will be focused on building Squishy Circuits. Through this activity we will discuss open and closed circuits, the differences between conductors and insulators, and basic circuit components (such as LEDs, resistors, and motors). The explanation will include both the technical terminology as well as some analogies that our research group has found useful when explaining the circuits to younger children. There will then be a short demonstration of how these components work with the dough. Participants will be encouraged to play with the conductive and insulating dough to make a variety of circuits that use LEDs, buzzers, and motors. The workshop leaders will spend time with the participants answering questions, problem solving, and discussing common struggles their students might have. The participants will be given the recipes for the conductive and insulating dough, instructive notes that explain short circuits, conductors and insulators, LEDs, and open and closed circuits, and the link to the Squishy Circuit site to help further the exploration of these components. Additionally, participants will receive handouts with additional Creative Circuitry project ideas and strategies for reducing supply costs.