*Design Session 6
Design Drawing & Circuit Map
After kids have gone through the process of making a button following directions they are familiar with the quirks of e-textiles. The fun and difficult work starts when they are free to dream up their own e-textile project. We were interested in seeing what kids wanted to make and if they preferred the templates we provided, or how they might customize things.
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Why do we need a map?
A circuit map is used to make sure that your project has the space for all of your circuit paths to reach their power source and light without crossing paths. It's much harder than it seems, especially when you work on small projects that don't have a lot of surface area.
*Unable to implement due to library closures.
March16 - Design Drawing and Circuit Map
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Technique
Bags of Stuff, Paper Prototype
Goal
Designing an e-textile, mapping the circuit route. Do we think kids need more practice with any of the skills? How much help from adults do you think kids need?
Materials
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Stickies, Paper, Pencils, Markers, Rulers, Scissors
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LilyPad kits, Fabric/Felt
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Laptops
[3:30-4:00] Set Up
Camera (memory card, mic, 3 lights!)
Arrange tables for groups
[4:00-4:15] Snack Time
[4:15-4:30] First Circle
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Ground Rules
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Name, Age, “Question of the Day”
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Have you ever made anything from scratch before? Food, clothes, toys?
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What did we do last week? Coding our LilyPads to make noise.
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Planning our e-textiles
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We need to decide what we are making, using a template or original design.
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What sort of circuit board features we want, and make a prototype.
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Draw a circuit map for our design
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Share a few project options that have been preselected to reflect varied levels of expertise (cupcake, pencil pouch, llama, cat, constellation)
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Sewing Basics:
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Optional: using an embroidery hoop
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Threading a needle and tying a quilters knot
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Whip stitch, back stitch, blanket stitch
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Measuring and separating embroidery thread
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Leave enough thread to make a finishing knot
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[4:30-5:15] Design Session
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Create a prototype for what you want to make, this can be an original idea or something from a template. Draw on paper or use bags of stuff to get wildly creative.
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Transfer plan (original or template) to fabric
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Draw out circuit path
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Cut out shapes needed
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[5:15-5:30] Closing Circle Time
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Share prototypes of e-textiles projects
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Discuss what Arduino features kids like the most
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Next week: Coding, cutting
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[5:30-5:40] Wrap UP
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Clean Up, Debrief, Take out SD card and put the camera away