Paper:bit - Blending Paper Crafts, Circuits, and Code

The project team will fully develop a paper circuitry toolkit called Paper:bit to introduce students to electronics and coding through a programmable microcontroller to display circuits on flat paper crafts with indicator LEDs so students can immediately see their code in action through blinking lights. To complete the activity, students will write code for, design, and assemble their own circuits and design their own paper crafts. The team will develop a six-week lesson series covering circuits and computer science concepts aligned to standards on topics such as coding, digital and analog inputs, outputs, and radio communication. Professional development materials will include lesson guides, course presentation slides, video tutorials, printable circuit templates, student workbooks, and assessment guides. The product will be designed for use flexibly in formal middle school computer science and technology classes as well as informal learning spaces like afterschool programs, libraries, and makerspaces.