Learning by playing
In the class Playful Communication of Serious Research with Brett Peterson, student groups pair with an NYU researcher to create a “museum exhibit” that makes their complex research fun, clear, and educational to the public. My team collaborated with Dr. Kristin Winchell, who studies how animals adapt to urban environments. Julia and I designed and developed a multi-stage Unity simulation where users explore how different genetic traits affect population outcomes. Led by Noah, we also built a wooden control panel with gene blocks and sliders that interface directly with the simulation using Arduino and serial communication.
Educational objectives
We interviewed Dr. Winchell and identified three key messages to convey through the experience: 1.) Cities create unique challenges (like concrete cover and higher temperatures), but animals are evolving to meet them faster than expected. 2.) Certain genes under study may correlate with greater success in urban environments (e.g. differently shaped limbs, better heat tolerance). 3.) Despite adaptation, environmental change can still push conditions beyond tolerable limits - research like Dr. Winchell's is needed to understand how we can design our built environments more responsibly.
Gene blocks to explore different traits and customize a lizard
We selected five (simplified) traits from the Winchell lab’s research and let users “build” their own lizard — like a character creation game — by slotting in blocks. Each block uses voltage dividers and magnetic connectors to complete a circuit when inserted. We found that this format encouraged users to read more closely, sparking curiosity and creating a personal connection to the research.
A population-level simulation to explore the impact of urbanization
After building their lizard, users send it into the environment simulator, where sliders let them adjust conditions and see how their lizard performs against a "default," non-adapted population. I used a flocking boids algorithm inspired by Craig Reynolds for the lizard swarms. The key takeaway: adapted lizards can thrive under moderate urbanization, but pushing conditions too far can quickly lead to extinction.
Fabricating the physical interface
I focused primarily on Unity development and integrating the electronic components, but also helped design and assemble the control panel. Noah modeled it in Fusion 360, we cut it on a CNC, glued it together, and added the circuitry. The blocks and slider knobs were 3D printed. The Adaptation Station was selected for the ITP Spring Show, where dozens of visitors got to experience it!