Imagine creating cutting-edge gadgets from something as simple as paper! Atlanta high schoolers are doing just that, designing incredible paper-based electronics for a new museum exhibit. Get ready to see how sustainable innovation and youth creativity are shaping the future of technology – you won’t believe what they’ve come up with!
A groundbreaking educational initiative is empowering Atlanta high school students to explore the intersection of art, craft, and cutting-edge technology, culminating in a public exhibition at the renowned Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking. This program, focusing on the transformative potential of paper-based electronics, aims to cultivate the next generation of innovators and designers.
Spearheaded by Georgia Tech Assistant Professor HyunJoo Oh, the initiative involves intensive hands-on workshops for approximately 60 students from Atlanta Public Schools. These sessions are designed to introduce participants to the fundamental principles of creating functional electronics and wearable devices using readily available paper and craft materials, fostering a practical understanding of sustainable technology.
The culmination of these innovative workshops will be an exhibit titled “The Future of Paper,” scheduled to open to the public in 2027 at the Williams Museum. This exhibition will proudly showcase the designs and creations developed by the high school students, presented alongside visionary examples of advanced paper-based technologies developed by Georgia Tech researchers, underscoring the potential of this accessible material.
Professor Oh, who holds joint appointments in the School of Interactive Computing and the School of Industrial Design, leads the Computational Design and Craft (CoDe Craft) Group at Georgia Tech. Her research centers on integrating everyday craft materials with computing to facilitate creative exploration, with a strong conviction that paper offers a sustainable alternative to silicon for prototyping printed circuit boards (PCBs), mitigating environmental harm and e-waste.
Indeed, paper presents an eco-friendly, widely available, and accessible platform for developing sensing technologies and wearable devices. Unlike non-biodegradable silicon, paper can host conductive traces and small electronic components, making it an ideal choice for both young makers and the broader tech community. Recent innovations in materials science have further democratized this field, allowing for circuit creation using conductive pens, paints, and even standard inkjet printers with silver ink.
The collaboration between Georgia Tech and the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking was a natural fit. Professor Oh, captivated by the museum’s historical significance since her arrival in 2019, envisioned a project that would seamlessly integrate technology while respecting the museum’s existing beauty. Museum director Virginia Howell had concurrently sought an exhibit that would interpret the future of papermaking, perfectly complementing their extensive collection documenting the material’s past.
Both Oh and Howell firmly believe that young people are pivotal in shaping the future of paper technology. By presenting engineering and computing concepts through the familiar medium of paper and craft, the initiative effectively broadens interest in STEM fields, particularly among students who initially identify more with artistic pursuits. This approach has proven particularly effective in engaging young girls, who often show increased confidence and engagement when technical ideas are introduced via art.
The comprehensive program includes three 10-week workshop rounds spanning from spring 2026 to spring 2027. The most innovative and impactful designs from these sessions will earn a place in the “Future of Paper” exhibit. This introductory experience with paper-based electronics is poised to inspire students to pursue more sophisticated technological endeavors, demonstrating the profound potential unleashed when creativity meets sustainable innovation.
