Abstract
This is a software to teach children age 7-11 about elements their relations in ecosystem using the advantages of interactive media. Interact with it here.
Keywords
ecology, sustainability, education, interactive, illustration, children, Internet
Background
This project was my Masters Thesis in Graphic Design from School of Design, University in Zagreb in 2007. I dedicated my research and design product to the subject of children and ecosystem.
For one semester I worked with educators to develop the content and approach, illustration mentors to develop visuals and kids to test out the functionality.
How it works
Main elements of this animated visualization are Sun, Ground, Water, Air, Plants, Animals and People (buttons below: Sunce, Tlo, Voda, …). Pressing on each button brings user to a page dedicated to that specific element. There are questions through the site, the questions ask for action / interaction.
The Sun page shows how Ecosystem would be without the Sun. The question posed here is “How would the World be without the Sun, press on the Sun to find out”.
The Ground page shows the Ecosystem without ground. Everything would fall down?
Water page shows circulation of Water in the Ecosystem.
Plants page shows beneficial elements of plants.
Animals page shows the circulation of seasons in the nature (The Circle of Life).
People page shows timeline and how far ago was it since the creation of each element.
Each one when you press shows how they circle in nature. there are some parts you can press to see how it would be without.
If you take the ground away, everything falls down.
