Developing an Elementary Engineering Education Program through Problem-Based Wearable Technologies Activities
Bradley S. Barker, Gwen Nugent, Neal F. Grandgenett, Jennifer Keshwani, Carl A. Nelson, Ben Leduc-Mills · Wearable Technologies · 2018
This chapter describes the efforts and pilot study results of the Nebraska 4-H Wearable Technologies (WearTec) project, funded by the National Science Foundation's Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. The overall goal for the three-year WearTec project is to study a systematic set of learning experiences focused upon the use of wearable technologies to effectively support student comprehension of the engineering design process and to increase interest in STEM academics and careers by students in grades 4 to 6. The key components of the WearTec project include (a) utilizing small sewable electronic components; (b) a focus on engineering design; (c) computer programming via the LilyPad Arduino microcontroller, and (d) bridging the formal and non-formal learning environments in order to deliver the WearTec project.