Block Science

Block Science is a toy system I designed and developed for Guidecraft. Inspired by kinetic energy, our goal was to create dynamic play experiences for children using Unit Blocks as our foundation. Through development kinetic energy turned into physics. Block Science offers children engineering challenges through play and creates a universe where children can experiment and learn about the laws that govern motion, without being overly prescriptive. In the first stage of Block Science we developed roads, people, vehicles, and building supports. In phase 2, shown in the renderings and sketches below, we are adding motors, simple machines, and seeds (the currency of the system). I was the primary designer on the system and have worked on many different aspects the system including design challenges, furniture, and motorized components.

 
This photograph shows each piece included in the foundation sets. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

This photograph shows each piece included in the foundation sets. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

Here is a detail of the track connection. It is a small plastic connector that fits snuggly into the wooden components. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

Here is a detail of the track connection. It is a small plastic connector that fits snuggly into the wooden components. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

The vehicles are created by adding two wheel clips to unit blocks and wooden car bodies. The vehicles create an engineering challenge as children experiment with the distance between the axels. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

The vehicles are created by adding two wheel clips to unit blocks and wooden car bodies. The vehicles create an engineering challenge as children experiment with the distance between the axels. *photo courtesy of Guidecraft

This is the packaging for the Block Science Foundational sets. *photo of courtesy of Guidecraft

This is the packaging for the Block Science Foundational sets. *photo of courtesy of Guidecraft

Rendering of Block Science Foundation Sets.

These are some of my sketches showing some early ideas on how we would incorporate simple machines into the foundational Block Science Sets. We wanted kids to be able to make connections to real world applications while still making it clear how the each piece moved and what sort of work the simple machine was enabling.

These are some of my sketches showing some early ideas on how we would incorporate simple machines into the foundational Block Science Sets. We wanted kids to be able to make connections to real world applications while still making it clear how the each piece moved and what sort of work the simple machine was enabling.

Here are some renderings showing ideas and concepts for the simple machine clips and how they could be combined to create a drawbridge.

Here are some renderings showing ideas and concepts for the simple machine clips and how they could be combined to create a drawbridge.

Here are some renderings showing concepts for clips that could be combined to create a balance.

Here are some renderings showing concepts for clips that could be combined to create a balance.

Here are some renderings showing concepts for the simple machine clips and how they could be combined to create a lift or elevator.

Here are some renderings showing concepts for the simple machine clips and how they could be combined to create a lift or elevator.

3D Printed Block Science Models

This is a video showing some of my 3D printed clips in action. A motor is incorporated here, and is used to lift a unit block with the help of a couple pulley clips.

Here is a rendering of another motorized component. This motorized vehicle can push and pull the other vehicles around the roadways. This vehicle is made of wood and has a transparent body that highlights the working components of the motor.

Here is a rendering of another motorized component. This motorized vehicle can push and pull the other vehicles around the roadways. This vehicle is made of wood and has a transparent body that highlights the working components of the motor.

Here is an exploded view of the motorized vehicle.

Here is an exploded view of the motorized vehicle.

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Block Science Trucks