Yo Yo's Kid Castle
Taipei, Taiwan
2015
2015
This is the first sculpture in a new group of sculptures I call Immersive Rolling Ball Sculptures. I spoke about the idea of Immersive Rolling Ball Sculptures at a TEDxVirginiaTech event in 2012 (click here to watch the talk), proposing the idea that kids need tactile experiences to help reinforce learning through play.
This ball sculpture at Yo Yo’s Kid Castle is an immersive sculpture for kids that puts their play in the center of the action. Through their effort and experimentation, they can reach different outcomes as the balls roll down the different shaped tracks. There are 5 different areas of exploration, each with a different ball movement: The Cross Track, The Skill Zone, The Sound Steps, The Loop-the-Loop, and the Drum Jump. |
The elements of this sculpture are perfect for children's museums and other hands-on-learning areas or STEM-based areas. If you know someone who would be interested, please share. Thanks!
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The Drum Jump
Release the ball down the slope and watch it jump through the air, bounce off a drum, and crash into the Symbol. How high should the ball be released? Will the ball strike the same place every time?
The Cross Track
Four sloped tracks meet in the center to form a cross. Drop balls alternately on separate tracks to make them collide or have a near miss. How many times can the balls avoid each other as they swoop back and forth?
The Loop-the-Loop
Watch the ball speed through the loop-the-loop up close. See how far the ball has to be dropped up the slope to get it to loop the loop. Try dropping more than one ball down the slope and see what happens.
The Sound Steps
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The ball rolls down 16 steps, each with a customizable xylophone note that rings loud as the ball falls. Use the steps to play a favorite tune or make up a custom jingle.
The Skill Zone
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Two curved ends converge in the center where track sections can be added or removed to the skill zone. There are 4 different track sections to choose from. The straight section; allows the ball to move back and forth unimpeded. The steep jump; get the ball to jump smoothly straight up and back down the other side. The double hill; get the ball to roll over the first hill, then rest in the space between the first and second hill without rolling past the second hill.
The Newton’s Track; Place 4 or more balls in the depression of this section, let a ball roll down the slope and impact the balls to see what happens.
The Newton’s Track; Place 4 or more balls in the depression of this section, let a ball roll down the slope and impact the balls to see what happens.