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.    
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)
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.