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  Beam Center Projects



Designing a Exploratory Experience for the Bronx River

A 7 week project based unit for 9th and 10th graders, where they learn about user experience while designing an interactive platform for the Bronx River


Unit Overview

The Basics
Experiences:  Novice
Age Group:  14 - 17
Group Size:  15 - 20
Hours:  14 - 18 hrs
Key Words: design thinking, architecture, space use, models, data collection, data visualization, water properties.
Cost Per Student: 10.00 - 20.00 USD
Tools: glue guns, drills, laser cutter, scissors
Materials: paper, foam core, color pencils, glue, plywood,  batteries, still wires, paint, paper, color pencils.    
Recommended Resources
Learning Objectives
  • Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. 
  • Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
  • Investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes.
  • To gain skills including building in 3D, abstraction, understanding spacial principles, and principles in UX (user experience)
IN Depth with Standards
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Suggested Steps

  1. Exploration of the courtyard, data collection exercise. Introduction to the map of Bronx River. Design Thinking principles: Empathy.
  2. Construction principles and material exploration. Design Thinking: Define
  3. Building simple models with foamboard, steel wires and foam sheets on the idea of a stage. Design Thinking: Ideate and Prototype
  4. Evaluate competing design proposals using to determine if they meet the criteria. Choose one to move forward with. Design Thinking: Test  
  5. Introduction to water properties and water analysis.
  6. Introduction to vector drawing  
  7. Understand river's and model's interaction. Design for it. Design Thinking: Empathy and Iteration
  8. Introduction to UX (user experience) and include those principles into the over all design. Design Thinking: Empathy and Iteration
  9. Completing the models and the drawing were made previously, to be prepared for the exhibition. 
  10. Set up for exhibit. Story telling. 
IN Depth STeps
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