Voxel Magnet Blocks
Voxel Magnet Blocks are a multimedia play system - connecting physical blocks with an interactive, educational app. This toy specifically focuses on building spatial reasoning and 3D modeling skills. This is a skillset critical to success in many STEM fields but also a skillset that most people do not have when they start their STEM educations and careers.
Early prototyping
Playtesting at the 2021 Rochester Mini Makerfaire
Final blocks prototype
The physical magnet blocks are designed to be able to be simple to put together and take apart - rapidly modeling many different things. User testing of the initial prototype took place at the 2021 Rochester Mini Makerfaire, where over 100 children and adults play tested and provided feedback.
Learn about different animals and their habitats
Follow modeling instructions and scan in model
Decorate and play with models in interactive digital habitat
Voxel Magnet Blocks can be used to model just about anything and are designed to be used with apps of many different themes. The app shown is Staria's Space Safari where the kids are guided by Staria and her robot friends as they learn about Earth's animals and their habitats. The app provides educational information on animals, instructions on how to build a model of the animals with the blocks, ability to scan the model, and a place to edit and manipulate the 3D model.
Course: Graduate Thesis, Rochester Institute of Technology, MFA
Spring 2022