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Finding Materials in Nature



Project Description


This workshop began with an instruction for children, to gather found objects along the shoreline at point-pleasant park in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Material Scientist, Aaron Outhwaite introduced children to a particular kind of seaweed, found along the shore lines and children set off to find specimens of the plant. Additionally, children were encouraged to gather vegetal and other organic matter that fit into a petri dish; one was provided for each child.



















COLLABORATIVE DESIGN FOR UNSTRUCTURED PLAY


SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant



DESCRIPTION

This SSHRC-funded project brings together the following collaborators: Undergraduate and Graduate Design students at NSCAD University; Undergraduate and Graduate students in Chemical Engineering at Dalhousie University along with Early Childhood Educators, Pre-Primary and Grade Two students from Halifax Grammar School; Lake City Woodworkers, a Halifax-based social enterprise that support individuals with mental health challenges.

Recognizing the environmental harm of plastic, the potential opportunities in bioplastics and the creativity of children, the goal of this project is to use a collaborative design methodology to marry materials research, novel fabrication technologies, and design innovation to produce a toy prototype. The goal of this project is to design and fabricate children’s toys through a collaborative design process between NSCAD University Design Students and Early Childhood Educators at Halifax Grammar School.
RESEARCH TEAM

Angela Henderson, designer
(NSCAD University)

Aaron Outhwaite, engineer
(Dalhousie University)

Marie-Soleil Provençal, artist
(NSCAD University)


COLLABORATORS

Grade 2 Students from Halifax Grammar School Lake City Wood Workers