BeeSign: designing to support mediated group inquiry of complex science by early elementary students

  • Authors:

  • Joshua A. Danish;Kylie Peppler;David Phelps

  • Affiliations:

  • Indiana University, Bloomington, IN;Indiana University, Bloomington, IN;Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

All too often, designers assume that complex science and cycles of inquiry are beyond the capabilities of young children (5--8 years old). However, with carefully designed mediators, we argue that such concepts are well within their grasp. In this paper we describe two design iterations of the BeeSign simulation software that was designed to help young children learn about honeybees collect nectar from a complex systems perspective. We summarize findings from two studies that suggest that this design has been successful in teaching and motivating these young children and demonstrates how activity theory can guide design.