Educational Care Kit:Transformi

Year : 2023 Spring
Location: Providence, RI, USA
Instructor: Charlie Cannon
Category: Design in Security
Duration: 8 weeks
Role: Collaborative Project— Research, Ideation, and prototyping of interior components in the kit.
Collaborator: Ji Won Nam—in the charge of exterior container of the kit.

This project was undertaken during the fall semester of 2023 as part of the Design in Security course. Throughout the duration of the course, we engaged in communication with UNICEF GIGA, an organization that developed a map to illustrate the restricted access to internet connectivity in schools.

The primary objective of this project is to address the considerable challenges associated with disrupted education and to contribute to the alleviation of its long-term impact. By creating life-long portable and multifunctional educational tool kit, our toolkit aims to provide a practical solution to the educational needs of children facing displacement or conflict-related hardships.

Overview

Background Research

According to UNICEF and UNESCO, over 600 million children and adolescents—approximately 16% of those in the primary to upper secondary school age range—lack access to age-appropriate, quality education. This gap is largely driven by poverty, conflict, political instability, and natural disasters, with 35 million children displaced from their homes and often excluded from formal education systems.

Despite the critical role of education in reducing inequality, it is often the first service to be disrupted and the last to resume during crises. On average, education receives less than 3% of total humanitarian aid.

To address these challenges, UNICEF developed a range of educational toolkits—including the Recreation Kit, Early Childhood Development Kit, and School-in-a-Box—designed to support continued learning in emergency settings. These kits contain essential supplies such as stationery, recreational materials, and physical activity tools, enabling children to maintain access to basic education during times of displacement and crisis.

Problem Statement

In the investigation of the current educational kits within UNICEF, our team identified several issues, including the cumbersome nature of the heavy metal container and redundancy in materials. These observations have led us to two pivotal questions that define the focus of our project.

Given the circumstances of users who may often need to relocate and transport the toolkit, how can we design the kit to be more accessible and manageable for individuals on the move?
Rather than merely supplying essential items, how can we go beyond the provision of basic supplies to help children cultivate a sense of control in challenging situations?

Ideation & Prototyping Iteration

Following the establishment of the project’s core objectives, responsibilities were divided between the exterior and interior components of the educational toolkit. The interior development involved reassessing existing materials to determine which should be retained, improved, or reimagined.

Puzzles and building blocks were identified as both essential and among the heaviest components. In response, a multifunctional tool was designed to combine their cognitive and creative benefits, enhancing portability and material efficiency.

To address evolving user needs, three additional items were incorporated, prompting a strategic redesign that consolidated the heaviest elements into a single component—ensuring the kit remained compact and transportable in emergency contexts.

Recognizing the potential for adverse environmental conditions during migration, these materials were carefully selected to ensure durability, usability, and adaptability, providing essential support for users in transit and reinforcing the kit’s functionality in unpredictable contexts.

In consideration of the kit’s frequent transportation, its contents are subject to constant motion and gravitational forces. To prevent potential damage, a new feature — a spacer — was introduced to enhance the tool’s stability and overall functionality.

The recreational tool also incorporates an organizer function. Puzzle pieces can be assembled by children and repurposed to store personal items. This dual-purpose design not only supports cognitive and developmental engagement but also fosters a sense of control — a crucial element in the healing process for children affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Studies on PTSD following natural disasters show that survivors often struggle with flashbacks, depression, and anxiety rooted in past experiences of helplessness. Creating a sense of safety and empowerment is therefore essential in alleviating these symptoms.

Initial Design/ Sketch

Initial Prototyping

After full-scale prototyping and magnetic testing, the number-shaped puzzle pieces were found to limit the tool’s educational scope to mathematics. The use of magnets also restricted placement, as pieces couldn’t be positioned directly adjacent within the container. In response, the design was reimagined in a more abstract and modular form to foster creativity and enhance user engagement for children.

Finalizing Design

I. Final Design & patterns of multi-functional puzzle pieces

This final modular design was selected after multiple iterations to optimize both functionality and versatility.

The final patterns were rendered in bright, playful colors to enhance both educational and recreational value. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), vivid colors and pattern-matching games support children’s brain development. Informed by this, the patterns were also designed to function as dice, with each color indicating the placement of the next piece—whether adjacent, above, or below.

Other pattern designs

Final Pattern

II. Final Chosen Functions & Final Prototype

1. Spacer

The puzzle pieces should serve as spacers to secure the contents inside when the user carries it.

2. Puzzle & Dice: Recreational toy

The puzzle pieces can be assembled to create a dice for children's social activities, providing an engaging tool for both recreational and educational purposes.

3. Pencil Organizer

The puzzle pieces can be assembled to form a pencil organizer, serving as a tool to assist children in learning organization skills and fostering a sense of control over their space.

III. Instructions for the puzzles

The puzzles can be assembled in three ways.