Making Computer Science
Students of CSCI 181AL HM Making Computer Science (Fall 2024): Blessing Adomakoh, Adia Ainsworth, Noor Akhter, Isabelle Ancajas, Katie Baakkonen, Taylor Backer, Luis Beltran, Taylor Campbell, Kendrick Dahlin, Ally Dye, Grace Everts, Jason Gounder, Jadyn Iinuma, Omar Jimenez, Simone Johnson, Maria Komugabe, Miranda Lau, Ethan Lotan, Alicia Luo, Bryce Mey, Kerria Pang-Naylor, Shreya Reddi, Marcella Ruiz, Jaden Sides, Ana Studart, Arjun Taneja, Nico Villalba, Nirantheri Vithiananthan, Elena Williams, Gabriel Yang, Amy Zhong
February 3-23, 2025
Sprague Gallery
![An artwork made of textile hangs on the wall.]()
A crochet blanket that has a granny square from every student in the class (assembled by Julie Medero and Maggie Medero), 2024, acrylic yarn, 36 x 30 inches. Photo courtesy of Casey Baden. Making Computer Science, a fall 2024 course taught by Casey Baden (Adjunct Professor, Fall 2024) and Associate Professor of Computer Science Julie Medero, explored historical and modern connections between computer science and textiles. Through three major projects and a few mini assignments, students participated in hands-on creativity to explore the relationships between CS ideas and textile techniques. Project 1 brought together the use of LEDS, touch sensors, python programming and Gemma microprocessors with sewing and embroidery. Project 2 introduced weaving as well as utilizing the laser cutter and 3D printers. Students began with basic frame loom weaving and hand-drafting techniques, then utilized the Makerspace machinery to build their own rigid heddle looms, and finally expanded to using AdaCAD for digital drafting to explore weaving on the TC2 loom. Mid-semester mini projects introduced knitting, crochet, data visualization and soldiering skills, and the semester finished with a self-directed final project. The goal of the course was to make visible, and tangible, the myriad crossover of these disparate fields and help students to expand their horizons on what is considered computer science and how these methodologies can have wider applications. This exhibition showcases the results of the project-based inquiries and explorations.
Making Computer Science opens on February 3 and continues through February 23, 2025. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with additional hours during events on evenings and weekends. The exhibition is open to the public.
The exhibition is curated by Casey Baden (Adjunct Professor, Fall 2024) and Associate Professor of Computer Science Julie Medero, HMC Department of Computer Science.
