Weekly Update #2 - 1/27/2010

This week the team began brainstorming on project directions. After a group brainstorming session, we broke up for some individual concept generation. Each group member presented two or three possible concepts which we discussed. Some of the potential concepts were:

• A field of half cylinder structures that would allow kids to play on top and underneath
• A house like structure made of railroad ties that would allow kids to both climb on the exterior and explore the interior
• A repeating ridge type structure with sound sensors located throughout. The sound sensors would be connected to lights which would change color or intensity based on the play taking place The interior structure would glow during the day and the exterior at night. Also the sound sensor sensitivity would be turned up at night so that it will respond to ambient noise.
• A series of blocks with embedded proximity sensors that will cause the blocks to glow when a person walks past. The length of time the block stays on could be adjusted for a variety of games and exploration.

The team was unable to choose a single idea in time for the one minute madness and will be presenting our favorite concepts so far. The team has discussed another round of concept presentations for later this week and are also creating a formal requirements/specifications sheet to help us select a final concept.