Generation Alpha children often would rather play with digital devices than play outdoors. Research shows children benefit physically, emotionally and cognitively by spending as little as 20 minutes a day in outdoor play. I designed GREENtime to combine physical and digital experiences to encourage these children to spend more time outdoors.
Background
An ideal solution would be a portable, handheld device that encourages the user to play outside with rewards through a familiar digital interface.
I concluded the design should be in two parts: a device with a self-contained interface for children; and an app for parents.
System Design
I wanted the design to be based on a real-life outdoor tool, so it didn’t feel like a specialized phone or tablet to a user. I chose a hand-held telescope design (far right) which seemed most feasible.
To make the design more exciting, I moved away from toy-like characteristics in favor of more robust forms evoking tactical gear. Kids loved it.
Ideation
Inside, the telescopic parts of the GREENtime Monocular are mechanical and will work even if the device’s battery is depleted.
Light from the lens is reflected to an image sensor. The same mirror used also relfects the display into the eyepiece.
The GREENtime Monocular is a smart, phygital device aimed at children ages 7-12.
The Monocular is a hand held-telescope designed for natural observations, with an AR interface in the eyepiece that is operated by the focus contols on the device’s exterior.
It encourages outdoor play by rewarding users with points for time spent outside, and reduces fear of the unknown by identifying user observations.
Prototype
The monocular can be taken anywhere so the child can use it doing whatever outdoor activity they enjoy. Points are rewarded for time spent outside and evolve a virtual companion of the user’s choice. This encourages both short and long term outdoor engagement.
This device’s ability to identify wildlife demystifies the outdoors and helps children understand what they are observing, increasing their comfort level. The observations unlock cosmetics for positive reinforcement. The mobile app allows parents to help children further investigate their observations to encourage additional engagement with nature.
User Testing
System Design
Prototype
I created an app with Google Firebase that had all the same features as the monocular, and tasked children in my targeted age-group to identify both real and simulated wildlife. Students both handled full scale and undersized models of the design.
“I wanted to download the app on my iPad…It would be cool if the app were able to reward longer outdoor playtime.”
— Grade-school participant“I like how small it is and how it is only one lens. I have trouble focusing both eyepieces when I use binoculars and that’s not a problem with this.”
— Middle-school participant“[My class] loved the initial activity so much that I had to expand it into a full science lesson and repeated it with the whole class the next day as everyone wanted a turn.”
— Grade school teacher
The parent can see their child’s activity log and observations from a separate app. Links are provided for further research, so parents and children can learn how to attract and protect local wildlife. In this way, the parent is also encouraged to participate in more outdoor activities.
Parental App
GREENtime counters sensationalistic coverage of outdoor dangers and online misinformation about animals with facts and friendly visuals that reduces anxiety and fear in nature felt outside.
GREENtime also fills a gap in the market for educational toys designed to make the outdoors inviting.
The Benefits
