Co-Design Thinkering Systems
In Year 1, the project piloted its approach through co-design summer camps in El Paso and Baltimore, where middle school students engaged in hands-on biomaker activities such as Agar Art, Mycelium building, and BioString creation. Participants actively contributed feedback and ideas, helping shape the development of the program. Alongside these activities, the team conducted interviews, observations, and data collection to refine both the learning experience and research design. Insights from these sessions informed iterative improvements and supported early research outputs, including conference publications.
System 2: Mycelium
With this system, participants get to work with mycelium—the root structure of fungi—to grow and shape biodegradable materials. By creating objects with mycelium, they explore how natural systems can be used as alternatives to traditional materials.
System 3: Agar Art
Agar Art introduces participants to agar as both a scientific and creative medium. Using agar plates, participants design visual compositions and learn how biological materials can be used to create artwork that evolves over time.
System 1: Bio String
BioString allows participants to create flexible, fiber-like materials from biological sources. Through designing and building with these materials, participants explore how living systems can be used to create sustainable and functional objects.