Leah Buechley runs a research group called high low tech at MIT. This is located in the media lab on campus, where she is a professor. In her talk she discusses topics such as art, craft, and technology, in which she expresses various techniques that can be used to produce circuits, yet they are also great for teaching diverse group about engineering and technology. Towards the end of the talk she also discusses “epistemological pluralism.”

“Epistemological pluralism” is a term used by Sherry Turkle to relate types of learning that occurs in situations similar to what goes on in the creation of circuits. When we combine technology and art we are able to get people from various backgrounds interested in this type of learning. When having them create these types of circuits it creates a schematic diagram with schematic symbols. This means that the students are able to create sketches and drawings and turn them into a circuit. One positive of the creative process is being able to create entry points with people who have different values. This could mean that they may approach the project differently, meaning their way of producing the circuit could be physically and gesturally. By doing so, rich possibilities emerge when thinking about the learning spaces. This space is good for technological education where teachers get to teach workshops and experiment with technology. This is important in the art room, because implementing STEAM practices is a way to make the art classroom relevant in schools that do not prioritize the arts. Art education is an evolving field that needs to change with society and contemporary art, so this inclusion of technology is a great way to combine the two.

Buechley discusses three techniques that can be used in the classroom.  The first technique is taping circuits. This can include copper tape or masking tape to create functional circuits. When using the taping technique, one can create a pull tab which she demonstrates in the video. Another technique is drawing. She uses a pen that conducts electricity to draw designs that create a circuit. She even demonstrates how to create a device that can play music with the pen. It almost sounds like a harp, which is a great demonstration of incorporating art, music, and technology as one. These sketches then become their own interface. The next technique is folding. This can be used to move the circuit around on its own. You can create pieces using shape memory alloy. What occurs is if you move part of a piece of paper, then the same part moves on the other. These techniques are great to use in a future art classroom because, if a student doesn’t normally like creating technology, they can be inspired in this space to create. They get to combine engineering with artistic elements, to therefore produce a work of art.