We are working to create a system that is suitable for 5-year olds to design printable robotic paper boats. The engineering systems that exist today are tailored towards users 10+, leaving out those at younger cognitive stages. We believe those in primary school (K-3), specifically 5-year olds, should be exposed to the engineering process because they are exceedingly capable. My goal is to create a graphical user interface suitable for 5-year olds to change parameters of a 3D model boat. This graphical user interface is the initial component of the larger printable robotic system, followed by a robot compiler, a printer and construction. The graphical user interface is the drawing board where the user will spend time designing and redesigning the parameters of their entirely customizable boat. Making the graphical user interface suitable for the user relies on the creation of a widget that is “best” to change parameters. “Best” is measured by the right balance of efficiency. Here we define efficiency as user-friendly, which is measured as less time using the widget and less changes to the design of the boat. While creativity is defined as customizability, which is measured as more time using the widget and more changes to the design. This system allows for the potential for failure, while allowing the user to equally be efficient and creative throughout the design process. The knowledge received by the user experimenting with widgets and their relationship to the boat designs, will validate the creation of a suitable widget.
We are working to create a system that is suitable for 5-year olds to design printable robotic paper boats. The engineering systems that exist today are tailored towards users 10+, leaving out those at younger cognitive stages. We believe those in primary school (K-3), specifically 5-year olds, should be exposed to the engineering process because they are exceedingly capable. My goal is to create a graphical user interface suitable for 5-year olds to change parameters of a 3D model boat. This graphical user interface is the initial component of the larger printable robotic system, followed by a robot compiler, a printer and construction. The graphical user interface is the drawing board where the user will spend time designing and redesigning the parameters of their entirely customizable boat. Making a graphical user interface suitable for the user relies on the creation of a widget that is “best” to change parameters, in terms of efficiency and creativity. Here we define efficiency as user-friendly, and creativity as customizability. This system allows for the potential for failure, while allowing the user to equally be efficient and creative throughout the design process. This research will be validated by knowledge we gain from observing the user experimenting with widgets and their relationship to the boat designs.
