Sustaining Making in the Era of Accountability: STEM Integration Using E-Textiles Materials in a High School Physics Class

Maker-projects have often been implemented in K-12 schools to foster the emergence of identity, develop maker mindsets, fuel creation, and master STEM skills and content. This paper explores the ability of an electronic textiles, or e-textile, maker project to develop deeper science learning within a unit where computer science, technology, engineering, design, and physics intersect. Maker-project learning is often dedicated to bridging the areas that make up STEM, namely science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, the content areas of science and mathematics are often less explored pillars within STEM while implementing maker-projects in a K-12 classroom. We look at how a unit on electricity in a high school physics classroom is taught using the programming of an Arduino microcontroller and electronic textile construction. In this way, the science in computer science is emphasized and understood from a physics perspective.