I am off for 10-weeks to study at Singularity Unviversity starting June 19th. This is no small feat and I need your support in order to be able to document the experience.

Singularity University is on the NASA Ames Research Campus. The non-profit university, started by Dr. Peter Diamandis and Dr. Ray Kurzweil, is where the best minds from the fields of bio, nano, info, AI, and related technologies come together and work to solve some of humanity's grand challenges. These challenges include poverty, world hunger, water shortage, home energy, global warming, and an infinite number of other humanitarian needs. More on Singularity University can be found on the Singularity University website.

Being able to attend is going to be a life changing experience, but just going to the program isn't enough. There is an opportunity here for a great story about how a fashionable girl who likes art and design came to embrace computer science and technology. My journey could really help other women and girls see their potential.

Hi Kittens!  I am getting ready for the Smart Fabrics Conference where I am holding a workshop in DIY electronic craft. This is a big event and I have not had time to post. Hopefully this DIY and video of the tilt/touch switch that I made for the workshop will keep you from having Switch withdrawal.

Here is how it works: The string of beads in the middle has a conductive bead on the end. This bead carries the power and as it turns and moves on the conductive fabric pieces the corresponding LEDs light up. Simple but powerful! What can you make with this idea? 

Materials:

• conductive fabric
• LED Sequins
• regular craft beads
• conductive thread
• 3V battery holder
• one large silver bead.

NOTE: In the video I had small silver beads and they didn't work too well, I added the larger one later.

Fabric Tilt Switch from iHeartSwitch on Vimeo.

This year I am honored to be presenting a workshop and talk at the Smart Fabrics conference in Miami, FL. Smart Fabrics is THE premier event for everyone interested in applications, marketing, design, development, curation, and manufacturing of smart or advanced textiles. Smart fabrics are textiles that are woven or embedded with advanced properties. Examples are sports bras that can detect your heart rate, solar energy gathering pants, and soft switches for controlling your MP3 player from your jacket. There are many more amazing sci-fi sounding applications being developed, who says we have to wait for the future? It seems to me the future is now. 

Smart Fabrics 2010

April 14 - 16 in Miami, Florida

Conrad Miami Hotel

Register Here

[Above: Syuzi and Alison meeting for the first time at Maker Faire in 2006]

After four years, Syuzi Pakhchyan and I were finally able to get together and host our own talk about girls in technology. The talk was called “Duh… Its Like Tech for Girls <3" and it was presented as a core converation at SXSW Interactive 2010. We were joined by many audience members, who were passionate about igniting that tech spark in girls, teens, and women.

Today is Ada Lovelace Day, an international day of blogging to celebrate the achievements of women in technology and science. Ada (seen above in a lovely lace gown) wrote the world’s first computer programs for the Analytical Engine, a general-purpose machine invented by, Charles Babbage - Way to go Ada!

I am celebrating this day by writing about one of my favorite women in technology, Jerrie Cobb (above posing next to the Mercury spaceship capsule) . Jerrie was the first woman picked to undergo the grueling astronautical space tests in 1960 to become an astronaut, but was never allowed to take flight into space simply because of her gender.

Congratulations to Jane Larson from Ann Arbor, Michigan!

Jane holding up her prize winnings, a signed copy of Switch Craft and a swatch of Luminex lighted fabric. She plans to incorporate the fabric into a little black dress she's making along with some LEDs.

We want to thank everyone who took the survey. We have new projects and posts planned to incorporate your feedback, so be sure to stay tuned!

Syuzi Pakhchyan of Fashioning Technology and I are joining forces at SXSW and hosting a session called “Duh…It’s Like Tech for Girls <3.” Here is the information: 

Duh ... It's Like Tech for Girls <3

SXSW Interactive, Austin, TX

Monday, March 15, 11am, ACC 7

Wow, not only did Canada kick our butts on the ice, they are doing it in Fashion Technology too. Don’t believe me, take a look at these gorgeous lighted fabrics and this dress from Karma Chameleon.

Jana Thomson from Geek Austin gets the dirt on Alison and her Core Conversation at SXSW, " Duh...It's Like Tech for Girls" 

Both Syuzie Pakhchyan of Fashion Technology and Alison will be running this core converstaion at SXSW. Please join them on Monday, March 15 at 11:00 AM. http://my.sxsw.com/events/event/487

Below is an excerpt from the interview, you can read more on GeekAustin.com at http://geekaustin.org/2010/02/24/sxsw-panelist-alison-lewis

"Jana: Technology is seen as a man's world, more than even business these days. One of the questions on the SXSW website for your panel was' why does getting girls involved in technology matter to our quality of life?' In my experience, seemed that even very competent and intelligent and otherwise confident women seem to be intimidated by the use of technology. Do you think that by discussing technology and encouraging the use of it in domains where many women are more comfortable and confident that it will encourage women to become more confident in their understanding and usage of computers and mobile phones?

Alison: Not to be brash, but I don't care much if they learn to use their mobile phones.

What you are looking at here is the cover of Tricks with Makeup, a pamphlet published by Ladies' Home Journal circa 1940s. What would be the wisdom you may find within?