Equity-Oriented UI Design

The rapid rise in the maker movement is characterized by the global growth of maker spaces as a platform to promote STEM learning and creativity. In academic spaces and literature, the maker movement is centered on dismantling accessibility barriers to STEM learning. However, most learning systems in these environments do not leverage the knowledge and practices of communities of color or low- income neighborhoods. Currently, minoritized groups possess extensive knowledge unrecognized by academic spaces due to the historical “feminization” of crafting and artistic-based practices. SPEERLoom is a robotic loom developed by the Social Haptics Robotics and Education (SHRED) Lab designed for makerspace and classroom deployment. SPEERLoom integrates the practice of weaving, a traditional method to expression ones’ culture, with typical western math curricula to legitimize the knowledge from minoritized communities.

As a 2023 Robotics Institute Summer Scholar with the SHRED Lab, I recently developed a pedagogical user interface with TKInter in Python to communicate with a low-cost, self-assembled robotic loom to teach youth linear algebra, mechanical design, and weaving. Our syncretic interface borrowed design principles from prior educational science technology research and tenants of social educational constructivism to support a cognitive model to understand how youth users reinforce linear algebra concepts through the process of weaving. Relying on principles such as selective exposure and a craft-based approach, this project introduced an equity-oriented design that centers underrepresented minorities cultural history with weaving. This approach aims to stimulate youth users’ interest in STEM technology while highlighting the algorithmic operations required to construct culturally significant woven patterns. This work is currently ongoing, establishing our presence in existing Pittsburgh maker spaces to gain user feedback. Additionally, we are working to recreate this software outside TKInter to leverage newer platforms with faster draw speeds. In this experience, I fully realized the ability to integrate my professional career with my social consciousness. By centering my target end-user as the principal stakeholder in my design, I align my pedagogical commitments of progressing equity for all through an educational initiative.