I think it took some time and conversation to get at the root of what their Pathway Topic was and how you could use that to make sitting on a bench fun and interactive (while learning something!) where you wouldn't want to pull your phone out because you were bored. Several times I had to reiterate that this didn't have to be something that could conceivably be done right now - I wanted them to think outside the box and follow their creativity. If they wanted to have their bench completely 3D printed, go for it (don't worry about if it would hold multiple people or if there was a 3D printer large enough to actually print it)! If they wanted to have interactive screens, go for it (not worrying at this point about electrical outlets, weather, etc.)! Once they realized that they had full creative control over the bench idea, they were off and designing. I wasn't able to go through the full design cycle that I would have normally done, but they were able to construct some interesting benches and I know if we did another Learning Landscape EDU, their designs would be even more interesting!
Student Creations
Bench #1 - Pathway Topic: Coding
This is a covered bench that would probably be found at a bus stop. It would be facing a large digital screen that would be controlled wirelessly from the bench. Inside the covered bench, there would be screens, buttons and controls that you could interact with to learn about coding and as you interacted, it would be displayed on the screen. |
Bench #2 - Pathway Topic: Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
Bench #3 - Pathway Topic: 3D Printing
Bench #4 - Pathway Topic: Coding
Bench #5 - Pathway Topic: Coding
This is an interactive bench/station in which people would sit in the "driver's seat" and would press a button to start an interactive experience. Inside the large seating area of the station, a code would appear and the people in the driver's seats would need to figure out what the code represents through manipulating objects on a screen in front of them. The people in the large station part would be able to see what the "players" were coming up with as well as the solution. |
Bench #6 - Pathway Topic: A+ Certification
Bench #7 - Pathway Topic: Coding
This bench would most likely be found at a bus stop and would have multiple components. The first one would be a stationary bench in which someone could just sit at (where "Police Officer Paul" is sitting). The other part would have a storage bin where people could construct their own bench as they were sitting and waiting. Each piece could fit together and would contain a different fact, piece of trivia, or other coding component so that as you were building your bench, you could learn about aspects of coding. |
Bench #8 - Pathway Topic: Coding
Bench #8 - Pathway Topic: Coding
Bench #9 - Pathway Topic: Coding
This large bench would most likely be found at a park. It would be a large enclosed structure that would allow people to sit down and interact with the interactive LED screens that make up the walls. The walls would contain interactive screens that would walk someone through different coding activities and as the person was building code, the would display on the screen on the opposite side. |