Sensory Extension Devices for Ratio and Proportion

This project brings together a diverse group of technologists, including tinkerers, Makers, web developers, and inclusive designers. Building on the design of the PhET sim Ratio and Proportion, we created four sensory extension devices to investigate and broaden the ways to explore challenge ratios. Each sensory extension device connects to a pair of wearable control units (left and right). Through this work, we were able to explore the idea of sensory extension and its relationship to sensory augmentation and accessibility, amongst our design team and with high school youth as part of co-design workshops.

Weight Sensor Unit. Measures force on the wearer’s palm. Users create ratios by holding objects with different weights or by applying force to their palms (i.e. by clenching their fists or pressing their hands against a surface).
Magnetic Field Sensor Unit. Measures magnetic field strength of nearby objects. Users create ratios by varying the proximity to and strength of a magnetic field source.
Distance Sensor Unit. Measures the distance between the wearer’s hands and a surface. Users create ratios by moving their hands closer and farther away from a surface.
Frequency Sensor Unit. Measures the frequency of sound waves. User holds the microphone near the provided tone generator or explore sounds in their environment to create ratios in the sim.