Design nonprofit Project H has completed the construction of their first Learning Landscape, a playground that teaches elementary math concepts using ten interactive games. Built from reclaimed tires in a simple sandbox structure, the pilot installation was built at the Kutamba AIDS Orphans School in southern Uganda by Project H design fellows Dan Grossman and Heleen de Goey. The grid system facilitates games that teach addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, along with spatial and logical reasoning. The Kutamba installation is the first of many – Project H hopes to build at least 5 more in Africa and in the US. Please help fund the construction of additional Learning Landscapes by donating to Project H here.
Designed by a group of Project H volunteer designers, the Learning Landscape is a scalable grid-based system for elementary math education. Using the Kutamba AIDS Orphans School in southern Uganda as a case study and a pilot program, industrial designers Heleen de Goey, Dan Grossman, Kristina Drury, Neha Thatte, and Ilona de Jongh conceived of ten math games to be played within a grid. Because math is universal, the system can be applied in any country, using any language for instruction, and can be tailored to a range of skill levels.
The Kutamba AIDS Orphans School, built by Matthew Miller in partnership with Architecture for Humanity, served as the case study and initial pilot installation of a playground-sized version of the system. The four-by-four grid was constructed using reclaimed tires, and a simple sand box structure. Each of the tires marks a point on the grid, and can also be used as outdoor classroom space when coupled with the integrated bench system. Numbers can be written directly onto the tires with chalk for game play.
The ten games teach concepts including addition, subtraction, multiplicaiton, and division, as well as spatial and logical reasoning through individual and team-based competition. In Match Me, for example, students form two teams. The teacher calls out a math equation, and one student from each team compete against each other to solve the equation, then locate the tire with that number on it, sitting atop the correct tire. The team member who finds the tire first returns to the team’s line. The team with whose players remain in the line the longest wins.
The Learning Landscape, though realized as a playground in its pilot installation, is a universal system that can be used at a variety of scales. Project H has continued its adaptation of the system, developing a product-sized version for in-classroom tabletop use based on the same grid games. The systems-approach, rather than object-approach, lends itself to a solution that is both universal and adaptable for specific contexts.
73 Responses to “Project H builds their first Learning Landscape in Uganda”
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This is an excellent idea. Integrating learning with play is something that really enhances learning. This learning center looks like a lot of fun.
I see this as a meaningful exercise and the children indeed could learn and play at the same time.
this is great especially consindering that in uganda kids are expected to be in class almost everytime. thanks for making them creative.
This is great, those children really need this.
very cool. our school just raised enough money to help build a school somewhere in Uganda. the goal was $7500 and it took 3 days to raise it. i am pretty involved with helping African refugees here (in Idaho).
Thats excellent. Children would be very happy for this.
Its also a great way for children to learn something new.
Steve
Great stuff. I love the benches!!
It’s so difficult to just watch the poverty across the world. I’m happy more and more people are doing something about it!
Great stuff!
What a great idea!
This is such an absolutely beautiful design. I just checked to see when the next time you will be in Southern California. It looks like July 9. Unfortunately, I won’t be here on that day.
This is an awesome way for these kids to learn! Kudos for Project H, what an amazing concept and a good deed for these children.
very createive the way we do things here. kids will gain and prosper a ton from such outdoor activties.
Thank you for sharing,
Learning and fun at the same time. Great idea. Keep it up. you are doing great job.
hands down to these people who shares their blessing with these children.
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I really see this as a meaningful exercise and the children indeed could learn and play at the same time.
Very interesting. First time i have seen this type of creative study. You people are doing a great job.
I really see this as a meaningful exercise and the children indeed could learn and play at the same time
hands down to these people who shares their blessing with these children.
This is an excellent idea. Integrating learning with play is something that really enhances learning. This learning center looks like a lot of fun.
Great – I believe this helps the children a lot. Keep up the initiative.
this is a meaningful exercise – I hope the children learn from this.
This is such a great project for these kinds.
What a great thing to do for the kids and its great how they are able to use it as a playground as well as learn math.
This is an awesome way for these kids to learn! Kudos for Project H, what an amazing concept and a good deed for these children.
This is an excellent idea. Integrating learning with play is something that really enhances learning.
regcure
What a fantastic project.
this seems to be an excellent idea, excellent for children as it promotes learning along with fun, i think all this is fascinating,efforts should be done to provide as much information as we can to people who are interested.
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i think its a project worth appreciating and putting a lot of effort in.benefits of resveratrol
I think that children in other countries could use this as well.
I think that children in other countries could use this as well.
Pretty fun activity. Very interactive learning procedure..like integrating play with learning.
Children will have balance of both world of fun & learning.
AngelaE8654
Good stuff, Great for the children
They should really change the uniform tho, i donno why but it remembers me of my time in prison
It is an excellent way for kids.
What a great thing to do for the kids and its great how they are able to use it as a playground as well as learn math.
A great project all around.
terrific project. This is a great idea.
Great example of edutainment. Having fun in the learning place is what will keep kids interested and willing to learn.
This is really a very intersting and creative way of making children learn along with fun.
It is amazing to see that something that we take for granted over here like old rubber tires, can mean so much to others in other parts of the world. keep up your good work that you are doing. You are a blessing to the world.
Paul the registry repair man.
What small things mnake a difference in life. Truly amazing.
Nice project. But then comes the question; will the rebels be able to leave it alone…?
This is an excellent idea, really amazing. Integrating learning with play is something that really enhances learning. This learning center looks like a lot of fun, we all shall support them.
It is great to see something that can bring some measure of joy to children that dont have that much to begin with. Little things can mean a lot to these kids…
this is so great for the children, hooray for tires in desert, it looks like so much fun!
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This look so awsome .. and it’s something new!
the children look very happy.
Thanks to those who made it possible for these children to have something to look at in life. Continue the great work…
Great program. Always nice to something nice for the kids.
This is an excellent idea. Integrating learning with play is important
Its also a great way for children to learn something new!!!!
Wow this is really an innovative way of teaching these students, nice work I must say…
tht was interesting article . Thanks
great article. This is a fantastic idea to help enhance learning through play and fun. Good on you guys
I hope things can get better in Uganda through this young generation.
I read your posts.Your post is amazing and full of good information.
Thanks for sharing knowledgeable information with us.
Thanks to those who made it possible for these children to have something to look at in life. Continue the great work…
That is nice to see, especially considering that Unganda has had such as hard time over the recent years. It is nice to see these kids smiling. The playground is a cool project also.
Thanks to those who made it possible for these children to have something to look at in life. Continue the great work…
Thats a brilliant way of helping them learn!
Thats excellent. Children would be very happy for this.
This is a very createive the way they do things there. kids will gain and prosper a ton from such outdoor activties.
Thank you for sharing, I’m glad those kids have something to count on.
Looks great. Glad to see there is actually something being built.
i like your article ..thanks very glading
Hi.. My self Jacqueline Pigdon…..Thats excellent. Children would be very happy for this…..
I have just discovered this site. What a great idea to help those kids learn. I just despair sometimes when I see all the problems in Africa. I just read that the LRA is stepping up it’s activites again. Why can’t something be done about them? Hopefully those little kids don’t live in an area near that is dangerous.
It is great to see that there are people in the world willing to do some good for those less fortunate.
That post just warms my heart!
this is great especially consindering that in uganda kids are expected to be in class almost everytime. thanks for making them creative.
Read more: Project H builds their first Learning Landscape in Uganda | Inhabitat – Green Design Will Save the World
This is an excellent idea. Integrating learning with play is something that really enhances learning. This learning center looks like a lot of fun.
Read more: Project H builds their first Learning Landscape in Uganda | Inhabitat – Green Design Will Save the World
That’s actually a very fascinating way to teach. It’s also a great way to ensure the kids pay attention and remember what they’ve been taught.
There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That may be a great point to carry up. I offer the ideas above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up where crucial thing will probably be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round issues like that, but I am positive that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Both boys and girls feel the impression of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
I really see this as a meaningful exercise and the children indeed could learn and play at the same time.