Leah Buechley and the LilyPad!
I attended as many events as possible during Wonder Women - I had a great time at all of them, but Leah's workshop was the most fun. Leah guided us through the basics of working with the LilyPad which is her elegant response to the arduino (an avr based micro-controller) --- the arduino is very familiar to those who have worked with electronic engineering--- the standard square with a bunch of electronic components laid out in the most efficient manner--- I italicize efficient because that seems to be an idea that commonly divides the art world from the engineering. Here is a picture of the efficient arduino.
Leah has taken this microcontroller and made something that is, perhaps, more accessible. She has broken the traditional rules of engineering and made something that is less efficient and more aesthetically sound with more intuitive interactions. Here is a picture of the Leah's LilyPad --
What I found really great about Leah was her passion for DIY (Do it Yourself)! She was very interested in empowering people to take control back from corporations and to no longer depend on them to fulfill your needs. Instead of buying an expensive light up biking jacket, Leah encourages you to make your own using something like the LilyPad--- What is really great is that throughout the time Leah was staying in Minneapolis I saw her around town sporting her own Light Up Biking Jacker--- She is a person of action- and someone I really admire---
Leah is great at documenting her work and helping people like ourselves jump into the world of DIY! Her website can be found at-- LINK TO LEAH'S WEBSITE
she has a wonderful collection of links for materials at LINK TO MATERIAL'S SITE
and you can buy your own LilyPad at BUY A LILYPAD!