MATERIALES DEL MUNDO

THE CHALLENGE

Primary research questions:

How, through design, can I invent a tool or experience (involving both visual and tactil learning) to facilitate "material literacy" in primary education?
What tools and/or experiences help kids...to learn about different materials? ...to build emotional connections? I hoped to identify the comprehension abilities of 3rd-5th grade students as well as situations that stimulate emotional connections. These findings would help guide next steps re: how to present information in a digestible way that also nurtures personal links & a sense of responsibility.

THE APPROACH

After an in-depth investigation, I decided to design a pedagogical backpack equipped with three distinct activities to support students' development of material literacy.

Interactive Layers: Help students take a step back from the "object" level to its composition. It helps students see materials in their everyday applications, building a personal link to the contents of this lesson.
Samples: Allow students to explore materials via their sensory and tactile attributes.
Card Game (Top Trumps): Through this activity, students connect with the content in a competitive environment and learn more detailed information about each material. Characteristics highlighted include: cost, degradation time, strength, flexibility, carbon footprint, etc.

Additionally, all paper used within the kit (ex. support worksheets, card game, etc.) was recovered from local waste streams. Inspired by Núria Vila's project for the Picasso Museum, I sourced materials from pipelines destined for streetside bins. This tactic offered a means to intertwine sustainability with my production of the toolkit, too.