Introducing Engineering and Informatics Principles through Open Source Hardware in School Education

Open Source Hardware (OSH) is increasingly recognized as a valuable approach in the development of scientific research equipment and as a driver of innovation across various fields. In addition to these applications, OSH also holds significant potential as an educational tool. As societies move toward more circular economic models, there is a growing need for individuals to develop a basic understanding of technology to make informed decisions about repair, remanufacturing, and reuse. However, the skills required for this are often underrepresented in formal education systems. This paper explores the use of OSH in design education, particularly in early learning contexts. We propose a workshop format that introduces schoolchildren to fundamental principles of engineering and informatics through hands-on engagement with OSH. The workshop is based on an existing open source vacuum cleaner design. Based on initial explorations at various educational events, we developed a workshop concept that addresses three key learning objectives: (a) knowledge transfer in sustainability and circularity, (b) repair literacy and device understanding, and (c) future-oriented IT skills including GitHub repositories, CAD, and 3D printing. This paper outlines the theoretical foundation, workshop design, implementation strategy, and evaluation framework for scaling this approach in formal educational settings.