Startracks

Educational Learning Toy for Zhejiang University

Startracks is a steamboard match board game. Set in the context of interstellar exploration and based on astronomical knowledge, Startracks uses rubidium magnets to simulate the gravitational pull of the planets, allowing children to visualize the presence of gravity and immerse themselves in the game environment. In addition, the game's various mechanics are based on basic astrophysical knowledge, which makes the game fun and educational for children and stimulates their interest in learning astronomy and physics.

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Startracks by Zhou Leijing

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Educational Learning Toy by Zhou Leijing

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Zhou Leijing Startracks

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Zhou Leijing Educational Learning Toy

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Zhejiang UniversityBrand Logo

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Startracks Educational Learning Toy Press Releases

Discover our press releases for Startracks available in the following languages: English.

Startracks Educational Learning Toy Media Articles

Ready for your features: articles on Startracks in various languages, including English, Turkish, Korean, Indonesian, Arabic (Standard), Japanese, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), German, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Hindi and Dutch.

Unique Properties

This is a board-based matchmaking board game with STEAM properties based on the story of interstellar exploration. The main aim is to educate children in the science of astronomy. The board uses rubidium magnets to mimic the gravitational pull of the planets and the game content is supported by basic knowledge of astronomy. Through the exploration of the planets, children can enlighten their knowledge of astronomy, physics and chemistry.

Tags

Children's educational toys, Astronomy education, Cosmic exploration, Magnetic games, Physics

Production Technology

The launch and landing of the ship is done by the magnetic attraction of the rubidium magnets at the bottom of the board, thus achieving the sensory effect of the planet's gravity. The planetary resources are presented as prop cards with different planetary knowledge content and the corresponding formed functions. Board material: synthetic wood, rubidium magnets Board production process: cutting, drilling and grinding on drill presses, board gluing Prop materials: wood, plastic, iron Prop production process: hand cutting, 3D printing Prop card material: coated paper Prop card production process: colour printing

Design Challenge

How do we make interstellar exploration more intuitive? We made clever use of magnetic fields for analogies to the gravitational magnetic fields of planets, and the game mechanics are two-player versus two-player, with most of the other time spent on two-player versus two-player game mechanics designed to ensure a balanced game.

Project Duration

The project starts in March 2022 and is due to be completed in June 2022 in Zhejiang, China.

Operation Flow

A team lands by launching a spaceship (iron blob) which is attracted by the gravitational pull of the planet (rubidium magnet magnet). Upon landing on a planet, they receive a prop card for that planet, which is marked with different astronomical and physical knowledge and the corresponding game skills. The game is played on both sides by activating the skills on the cards, and the first one to achieve their goal wins the game.

Research

Type of study: STEAM educational games suitable for the developmental characteristics of children aged 7 to 12 years Objective: To develop interest in learning astronomy and physics for children aged 7 to 12 years. Methods: Child development psychology, game design, human-computer analysis, CMF analysis Data collection: Play preferences of 7 to 12 year olds Use of research tools: Rhinoceros 3D, KeyShot, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PhotoShop

Inspiration

STEAM education for children is gaining more and more attention. In the field of science education, the knowledge of the science section of products involving the knowledge of cosmic astronomy is weak and of a single type, which does not allow for systematic science education on astronomy knowledge. At present, there are fewer products in the market that involve knowledge of the cosmic planets and planetary resources, and all of them have weak playability and complicated technology.

Image Credits

Rui Lei Yi Chen Zhengtong Wu Shaogeng Zeng

Project Overview

Startracks Educational Learning Toy has been a Silver winner in the Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design award category in the year 2022 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Zhou Leijing was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2023, a testament to excellence of their work Startracks Educational Learning Toy.

Zhou Leijing Press Releases

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Introducing Startracks: An Educational Learning Toy by Zhou Leijing

Discover the Innovative Educational Learning Toy, Startracks, by Designer Zhou Leijing

Zhou Leijing Newsroom

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