Due Dates
Thursday March 21 Preliminary project ideas due
Tuesday March 26 Preliminary project description due on course website
Thursday April 4 In class proof of concept prototype critique
Tuesday April 16 Functional prototype due
Tuesday April 23 Fully functional prototype presentation and critique
SATURDAY April 27 Test of Project 3 at Moving 4th into Engineering
Thursday May 2 Complete project due including web documentation
Wednesday May 8 Final presentation at Meeting of the Minds
For project 3, your team will design, build and test prototypes of a toy, game, or activity that engages children in hands-on learning about the physical world for the STEM in a shoebox project. 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
- include at least one part manufactured by the team using a digital fabrication technology and at least one electronic component
- fit in a large shoebox. The currently available sizes are:
- 13 5/8″ L, 8 1/2″ W, 4 7/8″ H
- 17 L”, 11″ W, 6 1/2″ H (approx)
Preliminary Project Ideas: Thursday March 21
By the end of class on Thursday March 21, each team will make an informal presentation of the ideas they have come up with. You should be clear about what the activity is and what the children will learn. The project can be a continuation of a toy from Project 2 or a completely new idea.
Preliminary Project Description: Tuesday March 26
Each team will create a page(s) on the class web site explaining the idea they plan to pursue, answering the following questions:
- What is the concept the children will learn?
- What will the children do and how will they learn by interacting with your project?
- How does your project meet the requirements given above?
- What supplies will be needed? What needs to be manufactured? If appropriate, include a sketch of the activity.
Proof of Concept Prototype: Due Tuesday April 2
Each team must bring a proof-of-concept prototype of their activity to class. The purpose is to see whether the project will work and to get more concrete reactions and suggestions from the other teams. The prototype should demonstrate the concept and convince you that your idea probably will or probably won’t work.
Functional Prototype: due Tuesday April 16
Fully functional prototype presentation and critique: Tuesday April 23
Test of Project 2 at Moving 4th into Engineering Saturday April 27
A test of the activities with children will be at Moving 4th into Engineering on Saturday April 27th.
Completed project due Thursday May 2
Your web site should document your project, explaining what it is teaching and how it works. This web site is for external consumption, so you should not include the design process information that you put in your portfolio.
Meeting of the Minds: Wednesday May 8
The final presentation of your project will be during Meeting of the Minds. All the projects will be set up in the CUC. More details to follow.