how did your process reflect (or not) design thinking?

this was A fun introduction to circuits, especially when I reflect on it after learning more about circuits and what they can do. The design thinking process for this little project was definitely still there but it was less complex than the projects we are doing now. I still had to come up with a design that worked with the copper tape, as well as be functional and be able to light up. At first I was having an issue with the fact that we need two lines of copper tape in order for the lights to work, and how to incorporate that into my design, but with a little bit of pondering over the design I was able to make it work!

What did you learn? Describe your learning process.

Well this project got me thinking about how to use copper tape as a design element more, and I didnt really think about it like that before, I also learned how to create more complex patterns with the lights in this project, and that you have to make compromises sometimes in design in order to make these things work or else you are going to come up with some pretty complicated circuits.

What was most challenging? What was most fun?

usually for me the design aspect is the hardest part, but this time I actually knew what I wanted to do! incorporating the switch into the design, without it being awkward. it still came out a little bit awkward, but it worked!

How did this activity connect (or not) to your prior knowledge of art and art education?

well this project definitely built off of our prior projects with lights and circuits but outside of this classroom I have never done any of this stuff, so designing these kind of things (images, cards, etc) is really neat because it comes with its own unique challenges to design elements

How might you use and/or adapt this activity in an art classroom?

this projects premise itself I think would be perfect for any age past fourth grade, it requires soldering so even then im a bit hesitant! the students would really just need a good explanation on how circuits work in order for them to do the project, otherwise I think they would all really enjoy it! it was great to at first do the very simple card with just one light, to then go on to an actual design and do this in a two class period I think works very well!