TINKERING LAB

Through Design for America, I collaborated with other students to develop an exhibit for the Chicago Children's Museum. We developed prototypes of exhibit elements and conducted usability testing with children in our target age group. We conducted intercept interviews with parents at CCM and explored the concepts of tinkering and making in early childhood education and development.

How can we create an exhibit that empowers children to create and explore with real tools?

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user testing "pegboard pinball"

We created a pinball machine using pegboard that allows users to create their own pinball elements using household materials.

user testing "road tiles"

Created a series of soft, fabric squares with interchangeable pieces of road.

exhibit model

Created a to-scale model of the exhibit space containing our ideas for the future exhibit.

"felt city" and marble mazes

A closer view t our "felt city" and peg board wall for building marble mazes/rube-goldberg challenges.

"tinker tower"

A close view of "tinker tower", which was a large scale version of our pegboard pinball concept. The larger scale allowed for more physical activity and collaboration.

Tinkering Lab

TINKERING LAB

How can we create an exhibit that empowers children to create and explore with real tools?