Fence Treasure Boxes Project and book by Savanna Li
kindernature 2015 Leidtke
Introduction
First, I gave myself some requirements. It needed to be interactive, because interactive toys are engaging. It had to build off of an already existing structure, because creating a brand new structure or product from nothing costs a lot; making it difficult to implement. And it had to transportable because urban dwellers move around the city so frequently. So I created the fence treasure boxes. Children like to collect things, especially from the ground. I was a rock collector myself. With the fence treasure boxes,
For this final project for DP, we were asked to create a product or service that better connects youth playing in outdoor spaces with nature. I scratched my head. In a sense, I was the ideal candidate to pose this prompt to because I grew up in the generation with screens, overscheduling, and growing parental fear of stranger danger. I did not get to play outside much compared to when my parents were children. So what would get me to play outside?
you can show off what you’ve found, share a description, and put it on a fence for everyone else to see. While working at the Providence Children’s Museum, I realized that children liked to show off work. It was inspiring to see a kid so proud of their work they spent so long doing. I created a template for the fence box with the intention of it being used with everyday supplies. The fence treasure box is created with cardboard and does not require glue to hold it together. You can attach it onto a fence with an s hook or rubber bands.
Instructions on how to fold
1. Following the template, cut out the main shape out of cardboard. Then use a box cutter or blunt object to score the perforated lines. Bend all the tabs inwards. 2. Place tab C behind tab A 3. Place tab D under tab C but over tab B. While doing so, move tab A over tab D. 4. Put slot in tab. 5. Put in the S hook and you’re done!
Initial Models
I originally started with the idea of little cups that fit into fences. A vacuum formed a fence structure and used the pieces to create different variations of the fit-in cups. The biggest problem I encountered was that the cups were too shallow and could not hold much.
But wouldn’t using 3d printed material that wasn’t eco-friendly to bring nature to kids be counter active? So I completely dropped the idea and focused on making something out of cardboard. It would be just repurposing material than introducing a completely new one.
Then I worked on a form that stuck out of a fence. I 3D printed a model of a connection that I thought could be purchased to add disposable cardboard slits. It would add also color to the fence too.
To fit the horizonal structure of the fence, I made multiple cardboard prototypes.
Workshop
I hosted a little workshop of my project to test it in Carolyn Brassil Memorial Park, Providence. The idea of doing arts and crafts in the park delighted the kids. Since the box was trickly to put together, I pre-cut them and set them on the table.
Expected Outcomes: - Kids recognized them as containers - They put items in, oftem sand and tanbark.
Unexpected Outcomes: - They had an extremely strong urge to decorate the boxes - Rather than aligning the boxes, they put their boxes as far as they could from each other’s. They wanted theirs to stand out by themselves. - Some kids felt there was nothing to put in the boxes - Some kids had no need for having a written component (it felt like work) - Some kids wanted to put their box on the fence while some wanted to take them home to put on their own fence - a common remark I heard was “I have a fence at home!”
continuous image