December 14

Library Robot Storage Update

Our High School buddies plan to make a more easier to use and neat robot organizer. We helped them by providing information and ideas about the robots, such as the size of the robots and space available between them when they are side by side. Some challenges we had during the google hangout were like sometimes we couldn’t hear them and we just kept on trying to make sure we heard them and after awhile we could hear them.  – Stacey, Victor, Chenyu

December 4

Professional Room

As a group after our trip to Edgewood, we created a problem statement for the Professional Room: How might we utilize an empty room so that faculty and students can have a space that will facilitate concentration, group work, taking test and social learning? Andrew created a prototype that displayed the overall expected layout of the room. In the front of the room, we will design test-taking cubicles to line the walls. This will allow students with extra time and students who have missed days to make up tests in this room. There will also be a printer and a garbage can as you enter the room, allowing students to make progress and snack without having to go too far! To the left, there will be a room wizard where teachers/teacher aids can log the activities that they do in the room. In the long run, this can help us find out what the room is truly being utilized for and then edits can be made accordingly. The larger portion of the room is broken up into two areas: a more comfortable group work area and a more traditional learning/group work area. The comfortable side will have beanbags and a carpet. Students can be creative, ideate, and relax while working here. The more traditional side will have a few tables on top of a carpet. These tables will have whiteboard table tops so students can do their learning right there! There will also be a smart board (already in there) and a whiteboard on the far wall. These tables can fold up and be put on the wall so that the students  can work/learn on the carpet as well. Ty’s prototype included a plan of the entire room. In the entrance of the room, we will place divides against the wall so students who need extra time for test, quizzes, or standard and tests will have a place to take the test without the distraction of taking test in the hall. The next aspect of the room is the group work section which will include a rug and five round foldable tables. There will be a place in the corner that is designed to place the tables and chairs once they are folded up in order to open up space in the room to allow the teachers to use the room for other purposes. We will keep the smartboard already in place in the room and place two whiteboards against the wall. Ashley created a prototype that is split into three main sections. The entrance near the door has the room wizard and supplies. The room wizard is an electronic system which tracks when the room is used and what it is used for. This ensures that two classes do not attempt to use the room at once and provides clarity in the future to what aspect of the room has been most helpful and used. Then there is a supply cart with pencils, colored markers, laptops, paper, scissors, and other materials the kids might want within the room. The next section is for test taking in the top right corner there are divided desks along the walls where teachers can administer tests. In the corner, there is a printer. The last section is for teachers or aids to help people or for group work. Round tables are perfect for group communication but teachers can also focus kids attention while they are teaching at the smartboard or whiteboard which are on the walls on the right side of the room.

 

Feedback for us:

  1. Which test taking setup do you prefer? Why? What are the benefits of each?
  2. Would you rather just tables or beanbags too? Do you think both could facilitate equally productive group work?
  3. Would you ever prefer to sit on the floor over tables or beanbags?
  4. Would you rather square tables?

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0ACdE6T7xbXRnUk9PVA

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0ACdE6T7xbXRnUk9PVA

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0ACdE6T7xbXRnUk9PVA

December 3

Room 18

Links:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zyQq4_mDxAxbzIWfRsU9Q5689ysT9hlg

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1B75F3kgVMc55RdMxoYgBMW3jAPcFof0Y

 

Group: Polly, Ben, Anton    (Octopus)

Problem Statement: Students and teachers need a way to easily maneuver, organize, and find their belongings in a way that makes them feel at ease.

Prototype 1: We created a replica of the student’s mailbox that is larger so that students no longer need to cram their fold and papers into their area. We also added a little mailbox flag that the teacher can raise when work is returned.

Prototype 2: While we were there, we noticed that the area by the back door was really cramped, causing the door to not fully open. This was caused by the table, the one with the guinea pig crate on top behind the door, being too wide. To solve this problem, we thought we could design an area above or below the mailbox where we can place the guinea pig cage. Prototype 2 is an add-on to prototype 1 as it provides a safe place to put the guinea pig cage

Prototype 3: We created a place to hold the bean bags because we noticed that the beanbags were in a pile by the corner and lacked a proper area.

Questions:

  • How many people are in the class?
  • Within the room, can you think of any other spaces that need to be organized?
  • What can we change about our designs to make them better?
  • Which prototype do you think will be most useful for your space? Why?
  • Do any of our prototypes not meet size constraints?
  • How does the organization of the room make you feel? If it was more organized, how would that feeling change?
December 3

Room 18

Problem Statement: Students and teachers need a better way to organize the cubby space in room 18; this will allow them to be less stressed in finding their belongings and will improve access to their backpacks and jackets when they are needed throughout the school day. One of the main problems with the cubby space now is that the coats fall off the hooks easily and some backpacks get buried under others and are hard to access. Also, this clutter can be dangerous and a walking hazard.

 

Margaret: The prototype I made was a hook mechanism that would prevent jackets or backpacks from falling off of them. This design idea can be used in two different ways. First, this hook can be put under the tables where the 5th grader’s work which will make it easier for them to access their backpacks. The other way this hook can be used to organize jackets and backpacks is where the cubbies are right now and it would be attached to the underside of the shelf. This hook can be used for jackets and will prevent them from falling on the floor because there is extra “lip” on the hook. Combined with the hook there will also be a box type compartment which is put on the floor were each backpack can be placed into. This will mean every student will have an allotted place to put their backpacks, so they are well organized.

 

Margaret’s Questions:

Is the option to put the hook under the tables reasonable or do think it might be difficult to put your backpacks here?

How do you think it might cause problems?

In redesigning the “cubby space”, would you like the ability to have other things stored here other than your backpacks and jackets?

Would you like to put umbrellas, lunch boxes, books, and other supplies in this cubby area?

How many people are in your class? What are the measurements of the table (length, width, and height of the table)?

How many tables are there in the classroom?

Can you measure approximately how large a backpack size is? (height, depth = when all of your belongings are inside the backpack, and length)

 

https://drive.google.com/a/scarsdaleschools.org/file/d/1_42Q5zEV-935_e-NRdkF4cgVlb2yuE2M/view?usp=sharing

 

Ethan: The prototype I made was a drawer with a hook for jackets. The students would store their bags and other personal items in the drawer, and their jackets/ coats, hats, and scarves could go on the hook.  This design is easily manipulated so that the students would be able to determine how the design is incorporated into the space. The design could either be lined up in multiples across the back wall giving wore vertical space for students, better for jackets/coats, or have the design stacked and lined up to provide more horizontal space, better for bags and other classroom materials. Either orientation would overall make it easier for students and teachers to find their belongings making cleanup and dismissal at the end of the day less stressful.

 

Ethan’s Questions:

Which of the aspects of my (Ethan’s) design do you feel most optimize and organize the space?

Do you think that this design would be optimal for the space already?

What are some things in the design that you would change?

Would you want to have more vertical or horizontal space?

Is there another setup for this design that I did not mention that would better fit the space?

 

https://drive.google.com/a/scarsdaleschools.org/file/d/1vj_uG0-h5MATSR395y92z64FswWNNYm7/view?usp=sharing

 

Oliver: To address this problem, the design included a double hook for backpacks and jackets. Additionally, there is a designated area for lunch boxes and papers/school work. Implementing organized storage designs will allow for more space in the classroom. The cubby area of the design is large enough to fit a student’s backpack, jacket, lunch, and any further materials needed for the day. It can be made out of wood or any other strong material that’s durable enough for everyday use.

 

Oliver’s Questions:

How can I make this design more space efficient?

Does each student need their own or can they be shared?

Can we stack the cubbies vertically or just horizontally?

 

https://drive.google.com/a/scarsdaleschools.org/file/d/1NzDHB9GKNtA5Gppoo3DlKUUonEkVoAlc/view?usp=sharing

December 1

Art Room

Problem statement: The students and Mr. Fitz need a way to transition and prepare for art class in a way that makes them feel organized and efficient.

 

Here are our different prototypes:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lCypUqS-OJ4L1VqYDzWnv7U4JxtWwLKN/view?usp=sharing

My Materials Tree is an easy, creative way to organize art materials so that Mr. Fitz’s class has places to store their tools. Also, the Materials Tree gives the class some flavor. Originally, we brainstormed many ideas that were all simple and didn’t add anything but storage space. The Materials Tree will make everyone’s lives way easier by supplying students with a center for storage, and also a piece of art that could decorate the class. With drawers coming out of the trunk and sectioned off areas on the top of the tree, the Materials Tree is the Art Room future.

 

Are there any additional components I can add to the trunk?

Would branches help with organization? What could they store?

How tall should the tree be so that you all can access it?

 

https://drive.google.com/a/scarsdaleschools.org/file/d/17a0BL7Tst75vQuGPsb4FVJ8aICYfcBuA/view?usp=sharing

My prototype is of 5 flat ferris wheel’s attached to each other in a circular/pentagonal column shape. There are a bunch of little material carts that with the press of a button will go around and around until the material you want is at a height you can reach. Like a ferris wheel, the carts aren’t stuck in one position while rotating so when it goes inside it doesn’t flip over.

Is there anything you can think of that will make it not work?

Where should I put the button to make it work?

How fast should it go?

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UVPWZgz7ciZu8328-JgsnR-_pPosBOTJ

My column-style organizer separates different art materials onto three different levels. Each level has its own dividers so that we can fit many different types of supplies. When it comes to supplies like brushes, which are frequently bent out of shape, they can instead be placed inside the column in order to protect the pointed end. This column will be placed on either the floor or the tables and be about half the size of the average student so that all materials will be easy to access for everyone.

Should this be placed on the floor or on the tables?

Keeping the last answer in mind, how tall and how wide would you want this to be?

Right now, I have three different levels, but would it be better to have more, less, or the same amount?

 

General questions:

What parts of each prototype did you like best?

What parts would you change for each one? How would you change them?

 

Other questions:

What are the measurements for each of the tables?

What is the average height of the kindergarteners? What about the fifth graders?

Could you guys share all the videos with Mr. Fitz and ask him all of the same questions so that we can get his opinion too?

November 30

Library

DVDS

Students should have an organized storage space for their robots, making them visible, easily accessible, and able to be charged.

 

Erik’s Prototype:

This prototype is an improvement on the current cart system used to store the robots. Currently, the wires used to charge each robot come out through the front of the cart, although the charging outlets are at the back. This causes the wires to get tangled which makes the robots harder to remove as well as less visually appealing. This prototype displays a cart, but instead of having the wires come out the front, have holes in the back of the cart. This would allow the robots to retain the visibility and accessibility of the cart, while being visually appealing. The wires would also be more organized, making it easier to plug and unplug the robots as well as keeping the robots untangles

 

Lianne’s prototype

My prototype is a more organized way to store the robots. There would be one cart with the same amount of cubbies as robots. Depending on the size of each robot the cubbies will be created to fit each type of robot. The entire cart would be on wheels which isn’t in my prototype but would be incorporated into the final design. Each hole would have a corresponding wire for a corresponding robot. Most of the wires and the charging station would be at the back so it wouldn’t look messy and get tangled.  

 

David’s prototype:

The goal of solving the problem was to make a space where the robot could be visible easily charged accessible and organized. My prototype had a name and color so children of all ages would be able to place the robots back in their correct cubbies. I also created cubbies which makes the robots visible along with a hole in the top to charge the robot. This makes the robot easily charged accessible and organized.

 

Feedback questions:

  • Is the moving cart aspect the best design? Do they need to be able to move?

Questions:

  • How many robots of each type are there?
  • How old are these users of the robots?
  • What are the dimensions of each type of robot?
  • How long are the charging cables?
November 30

Room 2

For Room 2, the teacher needs to be able to use the wall to organize all of the toys in order for the whole room to be used efficiently. We thought of fifty ideas and chose three different ideas to prototype. One of the ideas was to have different sized shelves on the wall which have white boards on the front so the shelves are interactive and you can write what is on each shelves. This idea makes it easy to find the toys and separates them by different uses. Would the whiteboards be distracting and would it be better to have a chalkboard instead of a whiteboard? The second idea was to have a collapsible shelf so that it can be used when needed and can be put away when it is not being used. The shelf is easy to use by hooking and unhooking the clasp from the hook. Would the collapsible shelf be too difficult in the classroom space and are there any suggestions of how to simplify the collapsing process? Lastly, we had an idea to make an interactive wall where the kids can measure themselves on the wall and can play with the fur spots on the wall. Additionally, the toys can be organized on to the wall by pulling tight strings and putting the toys under or by using baskets on the wall. Would this be too distracting in the classroom or are there any other features that would be preferable to add to the interactive wall? To sort through our ideas, could you ask the teacher if the storage problem with the toys was also an issue for the teacher and if they had any preferences that should be considered?

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1DDa9AYR9dzDj5I83PQw19FQ0cNFpftrb

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T6o9BNuOclJc6Aqd_iQQOrQE56_C9wU

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cefm0YumEsynXbZLePK0AGjaqIbum-XY

November 29

New Meeting Room

Our goal is to eliminate the long line in the lunch room every day, and streamline the whole overall lunch experience in the school.

Our idea is to separate the one hour lunch period into two half hour periods, one for lunch and one for recess. Half of the students would go to to lunch first, and half would go to recess. There would be two lunch options available to all students. The students parents will buy the meal for the students the week before the lunch period. There would be two lines for the two different meals, with a picture of the meal being served in front of the line. The lines would operate on a rotating system, where the student first in the lunch line one day would be last in the line the next day.

 

My prototype is a wristband that creates a more practical line system for the kids in the lunchroom. When the parents order the food for the kid through the app, they insert a colored card with a picture of the kids’ food for the day into the bracelet. During the lunch period, the kids go into lines based on color of their wristband so that the lines go quicker and the system is more efficient.

 

My prototype is a bracelet with a clear slot to slip in a the bracelet. The kids would pick numbers out of a hat and slip them into the bracelet to determine their spots in line. This would help equalize and streamline the lines in the cafeteria

 

My prototype is a simple menu which shows the meal of the day. There is both a picture and a description of the meal and children can choose whether or not they want to bring lunch that day. The menu can be found online and in the cafeteria.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CXenkW-yuEubozgkkq1p0j5ESJuYNEIp/view?usp=sharing

November 29

Old Meeting Room

Hi guys! Great job! We really liked your idea about the bigger font and the pictures for the younger kids. You guys did a really good job finding out who to design for, and what the main issue is. If you watch the video we made, we had some similar ideas. Because you guys are practicing how to be real life entrepreneurs and designers, the next step is to redesign your problem. Feel free to use inspiration from our designs and try to make them even better. Great job guys!

November 21

Thinking About Prototyping

Hi High School buddies! How’s the project going? Have you made any prototypes yet? We sketched out our ideas for possible solutions in the Edgewood spaces. You can take a look at our drawings in this folder. We are going to try to make prototypes soon. We’re thinking of making our models out of cardstock or using Tinkercad to design 3D models. We’re looking forward to seeing your ideas. Good luck with your work!