Broadening Participation in Engineering: A Workshop on Developing Context-Relevant Printed Circuit Board Badges

This paper introduces a workshop designed to broaden participation in engineering through the development of Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBA) in the form of culturally inspired badges. The program integrates theoretical instruction with hands-on activities, including electronics fundamentals, schematic design, and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly. To strengthen student engagement, the PCB badges were shaped after Sulawesi Island and embedded with LEDs representing its major cities, linking technical learning with local cultural identity. This contextual approach not only enhanced technical competence. It also fostered collaboration, problem solving, and creativity skills that are essential for success in the 21st century. Survey results indicate that participants found the workshop highly engaging, informative, and motivating, with strong appreciation for both the technical content and cultural relevance. The findings suggest that integrating engineering education with local symbolism can effectively bridge theory and practice, foster a deeper connection to STEM disciplines, and provide an inclusive pathway into engineering for secondary-level students.