June 29-30 and July 3-4, the EdMedia CYENS Centre of Excellence (extension of the Cyprus Interaction Lab of the Cyprus University of Technology), in collaboration with the UCL Knowledge Lab, organized and delivered an innovative workshop for children entitled: “Constructions with Micro:bit technology and electronic fabrics”.
During the workshop, the children had the opportunity to study science concepts and code the Micro:bit for the creation of e-textiles crafts. The Micro: bit is a small, portable programmable computer which can be stitched into a fabric creation/piece of clothing, as part of e-textile activities.
Prior research and our own work have shown that e-textile activities can help children to develop their science knowledge (related to circuitry, conductivity, Ohm’s law), creativity, self-expression and innovation, while also fostering children’s collaboration.
According to the participating children, the workshop was engaging, as it combined the notion of programming/coding with a set of creative and hand-on activities related to circuitry, sewing and craft-making.
The workshop was delivered by Jennifer Rode (Associate Professor at University College London’s Knowledge Lab), Annapoorni Chandrashekar (postgraduate researcher at Institute of Education, UCL), Dr. Andri Ioannou (Associate Professor) and her team Maria Adamou (postgraduate researcher), Stella Timotheou (PhD candidate), and Sonia Andreou (postgraduate researcher) from EdMedia-CYENS and the Cyprus Interaction Lab (CIL).
Thank you @Jennifer A. Rode, @Annapoorni Chandrashekar, and the crew of EdMedia @CYENS. A big thank you to our amazing participants — the children –who made the workshop an absolutely rewarding experience!
