Fly Away Fish
Designing an interactive educational game experience
Users: Local 4th Graders Role: Designer - Fabricator - Interviewer |
-The Problem-
Young students often struggle paying attention and retaining information in their challenging courses. Teachers also want to incorporate collaboration and team building skills into their curriculum.
- The Solution -
Fly Away Fish - A collaborative game in which 10 year old students help "flying fish" make it home safely to their nests through communication and teaming skills.
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Background
As one of the first projects I worked on at Olin College, this assignment was designed as a fun way to introduce students to the world of engineering. We were required to design and create a game experience for local fourth graders. Each team was assigned an animal for inspiration. My team and I were assigned the flying fish and designed the game "Fly Away Fish" in which the 10 year olds would help the flying fish make it home to their "nests". This was achieved by using a series of foot-pressed air pumps with specifically designed output and angles to help navigate balloons. Two teams of children lined up on either side and had to use communication and teaming skills to guide the flying-balloon-fish to the end. This project helped me understand the importance of stakeholder and design research. I also strengthened my skills in design, creativity, and collaboration. |
Sticky Notes & CardboardAhh, the two pillars of engineering! Before coming up with a game, we had to go through quite a bit of brainstorming and ideation. We did extensive research on the behaviors and characteristics of flying fish. After understanding our source of inspiration, we took time to understand our stakeholders--10 year olds! We interviewed local fourth graders, their teachers, and parents in order to gain insight into all of their wants, needs, and expectations.
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Let the Fourth Graders Judge!One of my favorite things about Olin is the creative grading process. Instead of our professors grading our final project themselves, they decided it makes more sense for the stake holders to evaluate us. At the end of the semester, we invited local fourth graders to experience our games and give us feedback (You'd be surprised by how professional and serious they took it). Thankfully, we understood our users and created a game they really enjoyed, as seen in the videos.
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Fall 2016
Design Nature
Olin College of Engineering
Design Nature
Olin College of Engineering