Hecker, Madison

Circuit Builder is an asynchronous mini-course for children that combines online tools with hands-on experiments. Online tools are a cost effective format for education, and there is an increasing need for them as the use of virtual activities rises, with personal computers in classrooms and children's homes becoming more commonplace. Circuit Builder has three sections: electricity, conductors and insulators, and resistors. Each section begins with a video explanation followed by an interactive simulated circuit building environment. Circuit Builder was designed using Unity 2D, with scripts in C#, then incorporated into an HTML page along with videos. Throughout the design process, I center on children’s perspectives and abilities. Circuit Builder contributes to the field of asynchronous online STEM education, and could be used as an independent computer-based activity in an elementary school classroom or afterschool program.