39-245 - Design of a Learning Activity - Project 3

12 members · 4 projects

About

For project 3, you will design, build and test prototypes of a toy, game, or activity that engages children in learning about the physical or world.

Your project must:
• engage a child's curiosity to learn
• appeal to all types of children, with differing levels of knowledge and abilities
• be safe and durable
• use appropriate and sustainable technology
• employ principles of universal design
• a majority of parts manufactured by the team

Very Preliminary Project Ideas: Thursday March 17

In class on Thursday March 17, each team will make a very informal presentation of the idea they plan to pursue. This session is designed to get the teams on the right track early, so no one invests a lot of effort in an idea that might not be suitable.

You should plan on changing and improving your ideas as you get feedback from me, your classmates, children, your friends, etc.

Project Description: Due Thursday March 24

By March 24, each group will start their project on the Gallery, answering the following questions:
1. What is the concept the children will learn about?
2. What will the children do and how will they learn by interacting with your project?
3. How does your project meet the requirements given above?
4. What supplies will be needed? What needs to be manufactured? If appropriate, include a sketch of the activity.
Proof of concept prototype: Due Thursday March 31

Each team must bring a proof-of-concept prototype of their activity to class. The purpose is to see whether the exhibit will work and to get more concrete reactions and suggestions from the other teams. The prototype can be made out of anything and doesn’t have to be well-crafted, but it should demonstrate the concept and convince you that your idea probably will or probably won't work.

Sequence of prototypes in April:

First functional prototype due Tuesday April 5

First draft of student activity sheets due Tuesday April 7

First testing of prototypes due Saturday April 9 at Moving 4th into Engineering

Fully functional prototype presentation due Tuesday April 26

The final presentation of your project will be during Meeting of the Minds. More details to follow.