Computational Geo-board

The idea for our project is based on the current school staple, the geo-board. As they exist now, geo-boards allow students to place a set of pegs into a board and then use rubber-bands to wrap around the pegs and create shapes. Our project will take this concept a step further by adding in computation and analysis of the shapes. Using a programmable microcontroller we will sense where the pegs are placed in the board. From these measurements we can plot a graph of the peg locations and determine what shapes are possible. This data can be used to measure the area or perimeter of polygons or the slope and intercept of lines. By taking these measurements the students can be instructed to create a polygon with certain restrictions or requirements. For example, a student may be given the task of creating a rectangle with a perimeter of 8 lengths (a length being the distance between two pegs). The student would then be able to create different rectangles with the same perimeter. If the construction was incorrect, the interface could tell them so they could make changes. The overall concept creates a more interactive and visual way to teach geometry and graphs.

Tint Blocks

Our project is intended to teach the basics of additive color theory by allowing different combinations of sensor-enabled blocks. There will be two different types of blocks: tint blocks, and palette blocks. Both types of blocks have colored lights embedded in them, but the lights are used in different ways.

The tint blocks are always lit with a red, green, or blue light. The palette blocks remain dark until a tint block (or a lit palette block) is attached to them. When a tint block is attached to a dark palette block, the palette block illuminates with the color of the tint block. If a lit palette block is attached to a dark palette block, the dark block lights up in the color of the lit block. By combining blocks in different ways, colors can flow together to create all the different hues that are possible using additive colors.

Logitiles

The Logitiles set is an educational construction kit which explores digital logic circuitry. It consists of a base mat, and a set of different kinds of tiling triangles.

The triangles attach to the mat on cells which only allow a specific orientation. Neighboring triangles on the mat are electrically connected allowing them to share a logic signal. Each triangle contains a logic gate or some kind of user interaction (such as a toggle switch), and an LED. The LED shows the output signal of that triangle's circuit.

There are two main kinds of triangle depending on which edges are input connections, and which are output. Some triangles have two inputs and one output, such as the ones containing "AND" and "OR" gates. Others only have one input such as a "NOT" gate.

The mat cells only hold a single kind, depending on physical orientation. This helps prevent erroneous electrical connections, but also limits the type of circuits which can be constructed (feedback is not supported). This makes the set suitable for younger children. Additionally, we need to consider what other ways a child may damage the circuitry or hurt themselves (For instance, what happens if they add or remove a triangle while the power is on?).

When a circuit is assembled and powered on, a pattern of lights is displayed. By using the user-interaction tiles, the pattern is changed. Hopefully this feedback will excite young learners!

Puzzle

Description coming soon ...