Student Design Challenge

When a child is given an expensive new toy with many unique functions and features, they are often more fascinated by the cardboard box it came in, mostly because it acts as a vehicle for imagination much more than, an electronic keyboard for example, can. With the observation that kids enjoy playing with simple cardboard boxes, we present Magicbox, the concept of modular toy kit that enhances the experience of playing with cardboard boxes through tangible interactions. Using a Magicbox kit, any box can become a new and magical environment for children to discover, play, and explore. Magicbox combines elements of simple circuitry and electronics to augment creative possibilities for children to create playful learning environments and develop their exploratory learning skills. By abstracting circuitry to large tangible boxes, we allow children to explore the system without knowing exactly what to expect, which has potential to make them learn by experimenting with the tangible interface. Nowadays, children use computers as their main vehicle of educational and recreational purposes, but lack of bodily interaction can be barriers to an engaging experience. However, research shows that children often learn best when they are physically engaged. Body movements, the ability to touch and feel, manipulate, and build sensory awareness of relationships in the physical world are crucial to development. Thus, Magicbox could have educational value, as it has the potential to utilize large motor skills that are afforded with interacting with cardboard boxes; and this therefore encourages development of imagination and creativity. Through observations of children's main interaction with boxes, we've created three prototypes that utilize sensors, microcontrollers, and creative uses of conductive material as proof of concept.