From Snacks to Circuits: Hispanic Kids Explore Technology, Electronics, and 3D Design

Children working with LEDs, copper tape, and Micro:bit during a STEM workshop

For six weeks, the classrooms of Centro Hispano of East Tennessee filled with curiosity, laughter, and creativity. Each Tuesday afternoon, while parents attended English classes, their children took part in the “Creative Electronics with Micro:bit” workshop—an experience where learning and fun came together.

After sharing a snack, the children got ready to explore the world of technology. Surrounded by copper tape, LEDs, batteries, and laptops, they began to understand how electricity travels, how a circuit is built, and how electrons make it possible for energy to turn into light and motion. Across six two-hour sessions, they explored paper circuits, Micro:bit programming, and 3D design and printing.

At times, some would say “I can’t do it” or feel frustrated when a circuit didn’t light up or when a design wouldn’t move on the screen. But bit by bit, with patience, persistence, and the support of volunteers, they made it work. Each challenge became a lesson in resilience and every breakthrough ended with bright smiles and laughter

Participants created personalized keychains, watched a 3D printer working in real time, and saw how their ideas could become tangible objects. We also discussed why learning these skills matters for the future: how technology can help them solve real problems and become designers and innovators.

More than a course, it was a space for discovery and fun conversations, where science and culture came together. Sessions were taught in Spanish as a way to maintain language and cultural identity while engaging in STEM learning.

At the end, we shared a small certificate activity to celebrate their effort and creativity. It wasn’t a big event, but it was full of smiles and pride.

Making Robotics and Centro Hispano: Partners in STEM Education

This collaboration aims to bring robotics, programming, and 3D design closer to Hispanic children in Knoxville. Through culturally meaningful STEM experiences, we hope to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of science and technology.