The Squishy Circuits project uses play dough and clay to teach about electronics. Topics covered include conductivity, resistance, parallel circuits, series circuits, and short circuits. We will present and share lessons designed for a variety of age groups and subject areas including ones mapped to the Next Generation Science Standards. Additional resources related to incorporating microcontrollers with Squishy Circuits will also be on display.
AnnMarie Thomas is a professor in the School of Engineering and the Opus Colluege of Business at the University of St. Thomas where she is the director of the UST Center for Engineering Education. Her research group, the Playful Learning Lab, focuses on engineering and design education for learners of all ages.
Dr. Besser, PE, ENV SP, holds a PhD in education and MS and BS in civil engineering. Currently, she is civil engineering chair and Center for Engineering Education director. Previous experience includes faculty positions in diverse universities where she has taught a variety of coursework including steel, timber, concrete and masonry design, construction, engineering economy, engineering graphics and engineering education. Prior to teaching, Dr. Besser, a licensed engineer, was a design engineer with HNTB-CA, where she worked on seismic retrofits and new design of high profile transportation structures.
Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Playful Learning Lab at St. Thomas under the direction of Dr. Annmarie Thomas. Second-year Mechanical Engineering major with a Peace Engineering minor. Has led many STEM activities and is interested in using engineering to encourage peoples' interests and collaborate with developing countries.
I am an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering and math and the University of St. Thomas. I am the lab operations manager at the Playful Learning Lab
Esmée Verschoor is a Communications and Journalism major at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is passionate about graphic design, visual communication and cultural studies. Currently, Esmée is the Visual Manager at the Playful Learning Lab, led by Dr. AnnMarie Thomas, where she creates, designs and implements educational materials focused on incorporating joy, whimsy and play into education.
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