iCampus: Projects: Topobo



	Topobo: 3D constructive assembly system with kinetic memory

Dates

January 2005 — December 2005

Principal Investigator

Hayes Raffle (PI) with Amanda Parkes

Problem

Many researchers and educators are excited about the potential for computers (and computer programming) to make new domains of knowledge accessible to children. While many of these efforts focus on screen-based activities, hands-on experimentation with computationally enhanced physical objects can allow children to use their sensorimotor skills to develop intuitions about kinematics, systems concepts and the natural world.

Goal

We have invented a constructive assembly system called Topobo that can record and playback physical motion. The same way children can learn about static systems by playing with blocks, they can learn about dynamic systems by playing with Topobo.

Our initiative is to establish workshops with Topobo at the Boston Museum of Science. We aim to achieve two goals through these workshops: First, we hope to have a positive educational impact on local children over the course of the project. Since our intention is for the workshops to continue after we have completed this project, we hope this impact can grow over time. Second, through evaluations of the educational implications of the workshops, we plan to develop frameworks to guide the future research, development and applications of computational educational media.

Overview

What is it like to sculpt with motion? Topobo is a 3D constructive assembly system embedded with kinetic memory, the ability to record and playback physical motion. By snapping together a combination of passive (static) and active (motorized) components, people can quickly assemble dynamic biomorphic forms like plants, animals and skeletons with Topobo, animate those forms by pushing, pulling, and twisting them, and observe the system repeatedly play back those motions. For example, a moose can be constructed and then taught to gesture and walk by twisting its body and legs. The moose will then repeat those movements and walk repeatedly. Topobo allows people to use experimentation, play, and self-expression to discover and explore common natural relationships between natural forms and dynamic motion. The same way kids can learn about static structures playing with building blocks, they can learn about dynamic structures playing with Topobo.

Topobo investigates an alternative model for using computers in elementary education: by combining educational manipulative toys with computation and direct manipulation, Topobo allows children to explore concepts that were not previously accessible to them.