The Smart Playground Project (Grant#5114851) is a collaboration between the DevTech Research Group at Boston College, the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach at Tufts University, and the STEM Learning Lab at University of California Irvine, and it is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project aims to integrate robotic concepts such as sensors, motors, and other input/output mechanisms into a physical playground with the goal of creating a more engaging and enriching playground experience that can strengthen children’s computational thinking abilities through play.
The project has implemented co-design techniques within communities in the Boston area as well as Santa Ana, CA to create the best playground possible for children and communities. The project is currently in its second year. The first year included many co-design sessions, exploratory research and initial prototype design. This coming year will be focused on refining prototypes and begin testing with children in the community.
