Gallery
foto: Kacper Kowalczyk
Experiment overview
An interactive educational exhibit at the annual Science Picnic that introduced the concept of Digital Ecology through age-tailored experiences, with an aim to transform abstract technological concepts into tangible learning opportunities.
Main objectives
The project made digital ecology accessible to diverse age groups through strategically designed activities:
1: Engaging children in creative exploration by transforming motherboard components into artistic collages preserved in resin
2: Challenging teenagers with competitive computer disassembly/reassembly races that developed technical skills while offering desirable prizes
3: Facilitating informal educational conversations with adults about technology’s historical evolution and environmental impact.
Achieved results
The exhibit created meaningful technological engagement across generations through its tailored approach.
Children developed familiarity with computer components through tactile exploration and artistic creation, teenagers demonstrated enthusiasm for technical skill development through the competitive format, and adults engaged in deeper conversations about digital ecology and responsible technology use.
The intergenerational knowledge exchange created unexpected connections, with older participants sharing historical technology adoption stories that provided valuable context for younger attendees.
Main reflection
This experience demonstrated that effective technological education requires different approaches for different generations, yet creates powerful learning opportunities when these groups interact.
The enthusiasm with which children approached computer components as artistic materials revealed how early positive associations with technology can be formed through creative engagement.
The senior’s anecdote about early workplace computer adoption and calculator verification provided a perfect historical parallel to contemporary AI trust issues - highlighting how technological skepticism repeats across generations.
This experiment suggests that understanding historical patterns of technology adoption may help us navigate current transitions more effectively, as today’s digital natives may someday find their grandchildren amazed at our cautious approach to artificial intelligence.