Play for Public Space
Atlanta kids at underfunded schools miss out on STEM education early. Play features can engage these kids with basic physics and engineering in publicly accessible libraries.
The Problem
South Fulton kids aren't learning STEM at school
Fulton County's Atlanta Public School system is one of the best funded in Georgia, but inside the district there are huge disparities. South Fulton schools struggle where North Fulton schools thrive, and especially in STEM.
The Fulton County Public Library is worried about South Fulton kids. They've installed a Teen Tech Center to help compensate for the gap.
But there's nothing in the library for kids who are into STEM. And by the time they're old enough for the Tech Center, they'll probably have already lost confidence in their ability to be STEM professionals (Lei et al).
The Research
How can the library get kids excited about STEM before it's too late?
First, I interviewed librarians about what STEM programs had proven effective in the past.
Then, I joined a family at the library to see how kids are using the space.
From there, I defined my design criteria:
The Solution
Design a STEM-based play feature for the Fulton County Library
Librarian feedback helped narrow to the two strongest concepts. I chose to pursue a combination of the the two: the form of the pillow fort with the functionality of magna-blocks.
I playtested first with college students, looking at part functionality.
Then with kids, watching their play patterns.
I built the final product by hand from plywood, upholstery foam, cotton, and rare earth magnets.
It was nice to meet you!
Come back soon.