Playground Presentation Kevin Chaung Period 7 IED

The Problem The problem was to design a playground for the 4 to 6-year-old age set. It had to be safe, be the correct size, and have at least 3 types of play.

Research The average height of a 5-year-old is 43”. The average weight is 43 to 48 lbs. Playgrounds shouldn’t be more than 8 feet high for children. Plastic is better than wood because it will not shrink or rot. Rubber or tire shreds are the best surface because it cushions falls.

The Solution This playground is simple to assemble by a few people. It doesn’t have very many unique parts to it, which makes it simpler.

Forms of Play This playground has 3 forms of play. There are slides, ladders for climbing, and a separate sandbox.

Advanced Inventor Skills Coil/Helix Rectangular Pattern Revolve

Materials All parts are polyurethane plastic except for the ladder bars, platform bars, and the slide bar, which are metal. This reduces weight and is better than wood because it doesn’t rot. These parts are made of aluminum.

Construction No bolts or nails are needed. All construction is done by inserting poles or shapes into the designated areas. This ladder bar is inserted into this specially shaped hole.

Construction (cont.) Setting up the construction is as easy as putting the supports in place and then sliding on the platforms. This allows for quick disassembly.

Construction (cont.) The whole system can be built by a few people working together in a very short time. The slide is exactly 1 foot above the bottom of the supports to allow for 1 foot of shredded tire or rubber surfacing. The supports are covered in about 1 foot of tire shreds, which the slides rest on.

Design This playground was designed to be safe. The platform is only about 3 ft. above the rubber surface. The rubber surface reduces the impact if someone falls off.

Design (cont.) There are two slides for different speeds. The bars of the ladders are only 8” apart to prevent falling between them. The slides have sides to prevent falling. One slide is shorter and steeper. The other is longer and less steep.

Design (cont.) Holes in the platforms drain water and lighten the weight.

Comparison

Possible Improvements The ladders could have sides to further prevent falls. The slides could have higher sides. The head platform could have additional playthings.