I started experimenting with different learning activities that could teach children about the environment in an enjoyable way. 


I spent a lot of time researching websites and interactive games that involve the environment and looking into how they engage children and how effectively they taught them the lessons they aimed to teach. I found many sites that had games which were enjoyable but that didn't have a strong connection to the lesson. 


I wanted the main focus to be on engaging children and teaching them in a way that they could easily connect to the outside world. 


I decided that the main areas I would like to focus on would be:

-Recycling

-Plant growth

-Energy

-Water Conservation.

RECYCLING:

The aim of the recycling game was to teach users how to recycle effectively. 

The image above shows a simplified version of the stations process. Each piece of rubbish must be identified, picked up by the crane hand and placed in the correct bin before the opponent has completed the same task.

PLANT GROWTH:

This station aims to teach children about the various need plants have in order to effectively grow and develop.

To grow the plant larger the user must keep everything in balance by pressing buttons to add more sunlight, water and oxygen.

A plant hologram within a glass dome matures from a seed to a fully grown plant if all its needs are effectively met. 

ENERGY:

This station aims to teach children about the amount of energy that is needed to power everyday tasks.

A Wii is available to be used by two people, however a third person is needed to create the energy used to power the Wii. The power is created by cycling on a bike.

WATER CONSERVATION:

Two segments make up the water conservation station. The first segment is a life size memory game that aims to get users to memorise the following key facts:

• Keep a pitcher of cool water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
• Bathe your pets outdoors in an area in need of water.
• Alert an adult if you see leaks or unsupervised running water.
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

The second segment teaches users about the amount of water that can be save by altering simple everyday activities.

Each activity alteration must be accurately matched to the amount of water it saves for the tank to release the water to water the plants and allow them to grow. 

PRESENTATION:

Questacon

With over 200 interactive exhibits filling seven galleries, Questacon provides a full day of adventure and exploration. Whether it’s free falling six metres, watching lightning strike, experiencing an earthquake or discovering new innovations, Questacon has something for visitors of all ages. 

Questacon manages to create fun and interesting games for children that effectively teach them important lessons about science. children and their parents are able to enjoyably interact while learning- combining family, learning and fun.

It was this main concept of family, learning and fun that I wanted to integrate into my design.

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Feedback from Project 2

Feedback from Project 2:

• Strong concept 
• Concept needs to connect to site more 
• Learning technique needs to be developed
• Pods could be used to protect more of the development.
• Pods could be utilised at different angles and from different surfaces 

I started by looking at the proposed development and areas that could benefit from protection.

It was this image that got me thinking about the way children learn and the benefits of interactive learning. I also started researching into the benefits of technology in teaching and the different interactive technologies that are currently being used to teach children of varying ages about the environment.

I decided to continue to develop the idea of teaching children using interactive technology and active learning.

“Learning is not a spectator sport. Students do not learn much just sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments, and spitting out answers. They must talk about what they are learning, write reflectively about it, relate it to past experiences, and apply it to their daily lives. They must make what they learn part of themselves."

(Chickering & Gamson, 1987).

Active learning is defined as any strategy "that involves students in doing things and thinking about the things they are doing" (Bonwell & Eison, 1991).

Project 2

Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)

Another environmental exemplar that could be used to create a protective shell:

Name: Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica)
Habitat: Brazil
Strange Factor: Growing up to 18 inches, the plant is known for its movements. When the leaves are touched, they will droop downwards temporarily. The same thing occurs when the plant is shaken or deprived of water. Reacting to the absence of light, the leaflets fold together at night and droop downward until sunrise.

This is an example of a design which utilises this metaphor:

This in search of a different approach of ‘using’ the energy cycle. Known as a cycle between energy sources and their outputs. But, what if these come together and make architecture react autonomously, just like nature does? What if nature itself teaches us how to play with the climate, the energy and in the end: our world.

 Mimosa pudica (tickle me plant) is well-known for its rapid plant movement. In the evening, at sunset, the leaflets fold together and the whole plant collapses downwards. At sunrise it will reopen. The leaves will / shall also close under various other stimuli, such as, warming, touching or shaking.  The movement is caused by “a rapid loss of pressure in strategically situated cells that cause the leaves to droop right before one’s eyes”. One of the strategies of life- this is warmth, the climate is maybe the perfect method to change the architectural point of view towards the need to use energy. What if there is a material that reacts just like the mimosa pudica? Fortunately there is such a material named  the muscle wire, also known as: Shape Memory Alloy’s.

A shape memory alloy is an alloy that remembers its shape. After a sample of SMA has been deformed from its original crystallographic configuration.

Its regains its original geometry at high temperatures, simply during unloading. shape memory alloy’s react at temperatures above 30°C. When the sun shines upon the SMA, they easily get a temperature of 50°C: the whole structure will open in summer and will be closed in winter and night.

By making efficient use of this sun heated system, we can optimally play with the extra natural energy. For example, when the temperature is low the roof closes and warmth is preserved. When the temperature is high, the roof shrinks, and nature wind and shadow are used for cooling. by playing with this kind of energy we can keep comfort costs low.

Experimental Models

I took particular interest in the natural exemplar of the Pill Milipede as it reminded me of the segmented design of our initial Folie. I thought the interesting shapes that make up its segmented coat and the way it used their hinged mobility to roll into a protective ball could be well utilized in an architectural design.

This style could be used to combat vandalism, bad weather and flooding if it were made watertight.

Inspirational Images:

Experimental Models: