Fabric crafts in soft robotics toward connected engineering learning
Channel: Connected Learning Alliance
Date: 18/08/2022

Soft robotics is an emerging field that can support equitable STEM education. We investigated one approach to implement soft robotics with materials socio-culturally associated with underrepresented people in STEM, such as women, and can provide different ways of engagement for all learners. Specifically, fiber crafts materials have increasingly become important design materials for soft robotics and engineering education. Yet, it remains underexplored how they can best be implemented in engineering education to promote inclusive engineering learning. Drawing on a connected learning approach, this study explores the design of a fiber-crafts based soft-robotics activity within US middle school setting. We researched demonstrations of engineering ideas and connected learning design principles that were aligned with research on engineering education for girls. In this presentation, we investigate two cases that lie in the intersection of soft robotics actuation and fabric that showcases how placing fabric at the center of soft robotics learning activities can legitimize youth practices by connecting familiarity, personal interests, and emotions with core engineering practices. Yet, more instruction is needed to support all youth.