LED Patch Workshops

The first LED patch workshop was organized as a part of Junior Lab at the Ottobock Science Center Berlin in spring 2015. Junior Lab was a five day event where 8-14 years old kids could learn about technology in playful ways by participating in different workshops involving 3D printing, programming and electronics, among other things. The LED patch workshops focused on electronic textiles and each session lasted half a day. A bunch of great co-facilitators helped me with the workshops and made sure that the kids had enough support available. During the fall edition of Junior Lab I gave another version of the workshop in collaboration with Sylvia Kautz at the Fab Lab Berlin.

Embroidery was used as a technique for making the LED patches. We stitched simple circuits using conductive yarn donated by Statex and rainbow LEDs, which blink in different colors when powered up. Robots, flowers, cats and aliens turned out to be popular themes as embroidered motifs. Couple of different options were available for making the power switch: metal push button, safety pin or a hanging switch made of a small metal nut. In the end, colorful felt and ribbons were used for giving a final touch to the wearables. Even if embroidering was a bit of a struggle for many in the beginning, there was no lack of smiling faces when the LEDs went on.

In the falls workshops we decided to modify the LED patches to suit the dark season even better. In order to achieve this, we used shiny materials for the patches in addition to the rainbow LEDs such as reflective fabric, glitter fabrics and beads. The backside of the patches was made from thick felt, which the participants could cut into the desired shape. The LED and a battery holder were sewn on the patches using conductive yarn. The plus connection was also interrupted with a small gap and an on/off switch was made using a safety needle, which extended over the gap, closing the connection.

Although the general theme of the workshops was LED patches, the participants could make other kinds of creations using the available materials. Some made LED wristbands, pouches or 3D shapes. Sometimes there was also time to create more than one little project during the workshop. There was also occasional material exchange with the neighbouring vehicle making workshop, which created a nice, collaborative tinkering atmosphere. On the last day of the workshop week, parents and friends were invited to check out the creations made during the week.

See also:

• Photo album of the spring workshop
• Photo album of the fall workshop