Paper Circuit Introduction
10-30 min
Ages 8+
What Will You Learn?
You create simple circuits using coin cell batteries, LEDs and copper tape as you learn about different types of circuits.
About This Adventure
Today, fashion designers are not limited to fabrics in their designs. Technology has become part of our story and is much more accessible. Young designers can use tech such as lights, sensors, and microcontrollers to tell their stories.
In this adventure, you will experience and experiment as we go through the MakeFashion Edu process to support campers as they:
learn – about the elements of fashion and circuits
design – a story and the wearable
construct – a fashion tech piece using recyclable materials and lights
exhibit – be seen! Our favorite medium is the runway.
You will be able to support your designers as they find their voices and tell their own stories through fashion pieces they create and share.
This adventure is divided into several sections, each with its own projects. The bolded project denotes the page you are on. The arrows mark the section you are in.
Paper Circuit Practice
After reviewing the circuit diagrams on the first page of the PDF, put copper tape on the heavy black lines on the second page.
Peel off a little of the white backing at a time as you put the adhesive side of the copper tape down. If too much of the white paper is pulled off the tape will get tangled.
Make sure to leave empty space to add on the LEDs so that the electrons will flow through the LEDs.
Much of the copper tape for circuits has conductive adhesive, so it is ok to tear off ends to make corners. If your tape does not have conductive adhesive you will need to make the corners out of a continuous piece of tape. You do this by pulling the tape in the opposite direction that you want to go and then folding it back over itself in the correct direction. This method ensures that the electrons will have a conductive path to go through.
LEDs have a longer leg which is the positive leg. Open the legs (make the LED do the splits). Put the longer leg of the LED on the copper tape coming from the positive side of the battery and shorter leg from the negative side, use transparent tape to hold down the legs on top of the copper tape.
Remember positive to positive and negative to negative when putting the battery on the circuit. The copper tape should either touch the positive side or negative side of the battery but not both.
About MakeFashion
MakeFashion Edu is an international non-profit working to promote learning through fashion and tech. Through hosting workshops, reach-out and push-in activities, and larger events, MakeFashion Edu sees providing access for young designers to go to industry and project-based learning as one way to pull local communities together.
SteamHead makerspace is a network of people, spaces, and events who collaborate to improve equity in education as the path forward. We believe that by embracing design thinking and a maker-mindset, education can be more engaging and meaningful, and with that more effective in preparing students for success. Check their website for their courses.
Materials:
- pdf template
- copper tape
- LEDs
- coin cell battery (CR2032)
- transparent tape
