Learning through interactive artifacts: Personal fabrication using electrochromic displays to remember Atari women programmers

• A semi-structured and flexible workshop engage agency self-guided learning. Relatable contexts can increase motivation engagement in participants. Having extrinsic motivations enhance Suggestions for introducing new technologies makerspaces are provided. In recent years have gained traction as an environment where makers tinkerers freely create artefacts with digital fabrication tools. They particularly suited techniques because these spaces support hands-on experiences. Electrochromic displays one such technology that has become possible to fabricate using off-the-shelf tools which lends itself be used a setting. Leveraging this development, we facilitated makerspace introduced participants technology. To limit the scope of outcome little known history female developers video games (Atari) from 1970s 1980s design framing. The (undergraduates, 16 female, 2 male, aged 19–21 years) explored Atari women’s role development through exploration they created artifacts novel electrochromic designed responses. Throughout answered daily questionnaires kept records their progress. Our analysis resulting projects suggests having relatable meaningful context increases both We discuss engagement, provide suggestions context.