Gigantic teeter-totters (called 'wippen' in Germany) by DS Landscape Architects, centered in a landscape of see-sawing berms which also look fun for play.
Without see-saws, I fear that children will grow up without knowing how levers and fulcrums work! Seesaws are also one of the few playground devices that require cooperation for play to occur. My favorite game was not so much bouncing up and down as moving along the beam against someone of a different weight until we were perfectly balanced; mysterious midair still.
Images via worldvisitguide and ajtorri at photobucket; playground physics activities downloadable here!
I'm sure kids will have other opportunities to learn about levers. :) I make games for a living, and we talk a lot about "griefing" in our multiplayer games, and how to minimize opportunities for griefing, because a few "griefers" can drive away many many non-griefers from a game. Balance beams are a prime opportunity for one child to cause grief to another, and as such often may not be worthwhile on a playground.
ReplyDeleteInteresting perspective, Michelle, thanks! I had never heard of 'griefers'. But if we eliminate all opportunities for interference, wouldn't we also eliminate opportunities for cooperation?
ReplyDeleteIdea is great, I like it very much, but...
ReplyDeleteWhen did you see it? Is it open now? I was in Berlin few times and it was always closed - there were some blockades, you could sit on it but not use it :(
I haven't seen these in person...just found the installation online. I hope it's open again!
ReplyDelete" if we eliminate all opportunities for interference, wouldn't we also eliminate opportunities for cooperation?" Not necessarily. That's one of the biggest challenges in our industry: how to have cooperation (and competition as well) without enabling one person to sabotage another's fun. There are no simple solutions, but there are certain pitfalls that can be easily avoided. I don't know exactly how this could translate to playground design.
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