The LED patch workshops were organized as a part of Junior Lab at the Ottobock Science Center Berlin. 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.

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. The embroidered decorations on the patches were freestyle – robots, flowers, cats and aliens turned out to be popular themes. Few 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.