Final Project Ideas

I first wanted to identify problems in the center. Many mentioned by the instructors were basic fixes. They included:

• The toilet flushing too loudly
• The bathroom doors: they can be locked but the latches are old so sometimes they are hard for the kids to unlock
• In the downstairs classroom, the kids can't see out the window
• Physical risk: an important part of childhood, allowing kids some risky play without chance of causing them any real danger
• Feedback and control-specific:
• Notice when they are spilling sand or water out of the sensory table (pictured below) - possibly a visual/audio signal

• When they take too many paper towels
• Remembering to wash hands for long enough, flush
• Kid-specific office supplies

Ideas:

• Some type of rope structure (risky play)
• Something that helps the kids to keep track of weather/know what to wear when they go outside
• Sensory table - cause and effect system, signal shows when water/sand level goes too low
• Volume tracker - traffic light
• Check-in/check-out system for parents
• Reusable science experiment:
• circuit teaching
• ramps
• bubbles
• Simple boombox that kids can use easily
• Fun, different, multi-function musical instruments
• Some type of organization/tracking system for supplies

Notes:

• Don't want the kids to be over-simulated
• Teacher doesn't want too much technology in classroom (no more than the cashier they have) - want kids to feel powerful in their environment
• Positive reinforcement works best when correcting behavior
• Children are in charge of their play
• I would love to try to incorporate 3D printing in some way