To support Lenovo’s work of encouraging more diversity among the students considering STEAM careers, Lenovo partnered with SCAD to create an educational experience targeted towards young children to inspire them to pursue STEM.
Our personal goal is to spark their interest in related career paths, with the hope that it will encourage greater diversity in the industry.
I was a UX Designer on this project and primarily focused on research, design, and visuals of the product.
I was a UX Designer on this project and primarily focused on research, design, and visuals of the product.
I was a UX Designer on this project and primarily focused on research, design, and visuals of the product.
My Role
Levelset
Challenge
How can we create a device to spike every child’s interest in STEAM and build skills through a fun, educational, interactive physical experience, no matter their background?
How can we create a device to spike every child’s interest in STEAM and build skills through a fun, educational, interactive physical experience, no matter their background?
How can we create a device to spike every child’s interest in STEAM and build skills through a fun, educational, interactive physical experience, no matter their background?
To support Lenovo’s work of encouraging more diversity among the students considering STEAM careers, Lenovo partnered with SCAD to create an educational experience targeted towards young children to inspire them to pursue STEM.
Our personal goal is to spark their interest in related career paths, with the hope that it will encourage greater diversity in the industry.
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
Throughout our research, we consistently found that the active involvement of parents, teachers, and other mentors was a crucial factor in a young student’s decision to get involved in STEAM activities and most importantly, move into STEAM career paths. We found that prolonged interest in STEAM was more common in instances where parents and mentors participated in joint learning and engagement with their students.
Conversely, our research also found many barriers to adult involvement, such as parental concerns regarding online safety, technology addiction, and a lack of technological knowledge. These negative views often led to ignorance, dismissal, or restriction of a child’s interest in STEAM, so it became clear that we needed to address them when designing.
*Steam = Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math
Throughout our research, we consistently found that the active involvement of parents, teachers, and other mentors was a crucial factor in a young student’s decision to get involved in STEAM activities and most importantly, move into STEAM career paths. We found that prolonged interest in STEAM was more common in instances where parents and mentors participated in joint learning and engagement with their students.
Conversely, our research also found many barriers to adult involvement, such as parental concerns regarding online safety, technology addiction, and a lack of technological knowledge. These negative views often led to ignorance, dismissal, or restriction of a child’s interest in STEAM, so it became clear that we needed to address them when designing.
*Steam = Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math
The Solution
The Solution
The Solution
An educational toy targeted to introduce children into STEAM through play. Using a combination of an interactive tray and smart blocks, children's imagination are turned into a reality through an digital experience
An educational toy targeted to introduce children into STEAM through play. Using a combination of an interactive tray and smart blocks, children's imagination are turned into a reality through an digital experience
Deliverables
PlayMat
The PlayMat allows students to utilize the building blocks. It registers the blocks and converts their creations into both AR and digital experiences. Our companion software is full of STEAM learning activities that students can interact with.
PlayMat
The PlayMat allows students to utilize the building blocks. It registers the blocks and converts their creations into both AR and digital experiences. Our companion software is full of STEAM learning activities that students can interact with.
PlayMat
The PlayMat allows students to utilize the building blocks. It registers the blocks and converts their creations into both AR and digital experiences. Our companion software is full of STEAM learning activities that students can interact with.
The Blocks
The blocks utilize NFC technology and creates a chain effect when connected. Ultimately, this results in the playmat being able to pick up the exact structure students are building!
The Blocks
The blocks utilize NFC technology and creates a chain effect when connected. Ultimately, this results in the playmat being able to pick up the exact structure students are building!
The Blocks
The blocks utilize NFC technology and creates a chain effect when connected. Ultimately, this results in the playmat being able to pick up the exact structure students are building!
Teacher Management
Teachers can plan their learning assignments around pre-set or custom activities that involve the building blocks. Change up the world, objectives, etc to keep the learning experience fresh and new every time!
Teacher Management
Teachers can plan their learning assignments around pre-set or custom activities that involve the building blocks. Change up the world, objectives, etc to keep the learning experience fresh and new every time!
Teacher Management
The PlayMat allows students to utilize the building blocks. It registers the blocks and converts their creations into both AR and digital experiences. Our companion software is full of STEAM learning activities that students can interact with.
Parent App
Parents can view their child's progress on their personal app! They can see what the student is learning so they can help foster growth outside of the classroom!
Parent App
Parents can view their child's progress on their personal app! They can see what the student is learning so they can help foster growth outside of the classroom!
Parent App
The PlayMat allows students to utilize the building blocks. It registers the blocks and converts their creations into both AR and digital experiences. Our companion software is full of STEAM learning activities that students can interact with.
