challenge:
A student’s initial introduction to Computer Science can affect the way that they perceive the field, and their role in it, for years to come. Historically, those from low income backgrounds, girls, and people of color have been the ones particularly marginalized within the community. By providing only one way to learn the material, the education sytem turns their back on students who may have found more success understanding CS content in a different format. How might we design an engaging experience that supports students from underrepresented backgrounds within the CS community?
solution:
Sponsored by the NSF CS for All Grant, MCVT Lab’s Maker Kit provides a unique approach to STEM Education, by engaging with sudents through craft and excitement. By providing a new method for learning physical computing concepts, we reduce the likelihood of a particular group feeling excluded from the educational experience. The kit is comprised of 4 types of printed paper cards, a microcontroller, and a set of conductive and non-conductive craft materials. Teachers are able to print the cards directly from our website, which also includes links and guidance on where to order each additional material from.
team:
This project is a collaboration between designers, engineers, & educators, currently located in Atlanta, GA and Berkeley, CA.
Design and Technology research led by CodeCraft Group at Georgia Tech:
A student’s initial introduction to Computer Science can affect the way that they perceive the field, and their role in it, for years to come. Historically, those from low income backgrounds, girls, and people of color have been the ones particularly marginalized within the community. By providing only one way to learn the material, the education sytem turns their back on students who may have found more success understanding CS content in a different format. How might we design an engaging experience that supports students from underrepresented backgrounds within the CS community?
solution:
Sponsored by the NSF CS for All Grant, MCVT Lab’s Maker Kit provides a unique approach to STEM Education, by engaging with sudents through craft and excitement. By providing a new method for learning physical computing concepts, we reduce the likelihood of a particular group feeling excluded from the educational experience. The kit is comprised of 4 types of printed paper cards, a microcontroller, and a set of conductive and non-conductive craft materials. Teachers are able to print the cards directly from our website, which also includes links and guidance on where to order each additional material from.
team:
This project is a collaboration between designers, engineers, & educators, currently located in Atlanta, GA and Berkeley, CA.
Design and Technology research led by CodeCraft Group at Georgia Tech:
- HyunJoo Oh, PI & Assistant Professor
- Noah Posner, Research Scientist
- Tingyu Cheng, Graduate Research Assistant
- Tymirra Smith, Graduate Research Assistant
- Ye Jun Kim, Graduate Research Assistant
- Nadean Ali, Undergrad Research Assistant
- Follow the series of steps on the Make Card. Watch along with the Motor Card tutorial video linked by the QR code.
- If the user runs into issues, they can watch the Motor Card Troubleshooting video also on the website.
- After securing all of the parts onto the card using copper tape, layer the card onto the Base Card and connect the CPX to a power source.
- Press A1 to activate the motor and watch the coil spin.
- Use the Design Card to create an example with the motor and a sensor.
- In this case, Will illustrated a car and taped wheels onto the wire coil. Now when the motor is activated (pressure is applied to the digital contact sensor), you can see the wheels of the car rotate!
