iSandBOX UTS: Continents Mode
October 22, 2025
October 23, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Continents mode in iSandBOX UTS for children’s museums and science centers: build continents in sand, overlay a satellite map, explore animal habitats. 10–20 min guided scenarios.
Turning geography into a hands-on expedition for children’s museums
Who it’s for
Children’s museums, science centers, natural history museums, eco-education spaces, after-school programs (ages 7–14; adaptable for 5–6 and 15+).
What happens in the mode
The facilitator (museum staff) selects a continent.
Children sculpt the continent’s outline in sand—mountains, capes, peninsulas.
When the shape matches, the system overlays a satellite map.
Animals appear on the map; teams must place them in their natural habitats.
This blends tactile experience (sand), visual feedback (projection, satellite imagery) and gameplay (team roles, timer, difficulty levels).
Skills children develop
Geographic literacy: continent outlines, major landforms, coastlines.
Biodiversity & ecology: matching species to climate zones and biomes.
Spatial thinking: aligning a hand-built form with a projected map.
Teamwork: clear roles—cartographer, sculptor, field biologist.
Soft skills: reasoning and short presentations (“Why don’t penguins live in the Arctic?”).
Why it works in a museum
Immersion over display cases. Kids don’t just watch—they build a continent with their hands.
Multisensory learning. Sand + light + motion → stronger retention (“I made it myself”).
Ready-to-run 10–20 min sessions. Fits guided tours and club programs.
Replayable. Six unique “expeditions” across continents—no repetition.
Formats you can run
Quick Tour (10–12 min): one continent, 5–7 animals, group debrief.
Expedition (20–25 min): two continents; compare biomes, climate belts, “resettle animals correctly.”
Museum Quest: teams build different continents and trade animals by ecological rules.
Thematic Day: “Mammals of Africa,” “Birds of Antarctica,” “Oceans & Coasts.”
How to run a session (step-by-step)
0–2 min. Warm-up
Shape continent silhouettes with hands: “Who’s got Africa? Where’s the Horn of Africa?”
2–7 min. Build the continent
Assign roles: Outline • Relief • Quality Check.
Watch key landmarks: peninsulas, bays, strong coastline bends.
Tip: allow cards or small trowels to “add” sand—faster and more precise.
7–12 min. Overlay the satellite map
Discuss colors/textures: glaciers, deserts, forests, mountain chains.
Link relief to climate: “Why is this a desert? Where do the trade winds blow?”
12–18 min. Populate with animals
Give tokens/icons or point on screen.
Require justification: biome, diet, temperature needs.
Use mistakes as learning: “Where would you move it—and why?”
18–20 min. Reflection & badges
3 quick quiz questions.
Hand out “Junior Cartographer/Biologist” stickers; take a team photo—great for museum socials.
Age adaptations
5–6 yrs: one outline + 3–4 iconic animals; more movement, less theory.
7–10 yrs: standard scenario; introduce “biome” and “range.”
11–14 yrs: add climate belts, altitudinal zonation, species migration and invasive species.
Tie-ins with your exhibits
Natural links to Planet Earth, Climate & Biomes, Evolution halls.
Run a mini-expedition before display cases: kids already know where “their” species lives.
After the mode, offer a gallery trail to find real specimens of “their” animals.
Space & staffing
Footprint: comfortable with 6–8 m² of free space around iSandBOX.
Group size: 6–12 per unit (8 is optimal).
Staffing: 1 facilitator per unit (add a volunteer during peak hours).
Throughput: 3–4 groups/hour for “Quick Tour.”
Inclusion: adaptable for diverse needs—role-based tasks with tactile/visual focus and paired work.
Outcomes & simple metrics
Pre/Post: 5 recognition questions on outlines & “who lives where”—typical gain 30–60% after one session.
Repeat visitation: “new continent” themes encourage families to return.
Engagement: each child is actively involved ≥70% of the time.
Event ideas
Africa / Antarctica Day: expedition series + tabletop quiz + “Research Team” photo zone.
Museum Night: team championship in fast continent building and correct animal placement.
Eco-Awareness: pair with a talk on migrations and climate change.
What your museum needs to start
An iSandBOX UTS unit and basic sand tools (trowels, templates).
A one-page facilitator brief (we supply a script and checklist).
A simple time-slot schedule (e.g., every hour, 15–20 min).
Wall prompts: continent silhouettes, sample animals by biome.
How to promote the activity
Hook: “Build a continent and place its animals right! An interactive expedition in the iSandBOX AR sandbox.”
Value promise: “In 15 minutes your child will learn why kangaroos aren’t in Africa—and penguins aren’t in the Arctic.”
Media: a 20–30 sec vertical clip showing the satellite map ‘magic’ moment.
FAQ
How many children per session?
Ideally 8 per unit; up to 12 with an assistant.
What starting age?
From 5–6 (simplified); sweet spot 7–12.
Do facilitators need special training?
A one-page method sheet and basic safety briefing are enough.
Can we run bilingual sessions?
Yes—interface and facilitation can be bilingual (e.g., EN + local language).
Continents turns textbook geography into a vivid field practice. Kids build landmasses, see a living satellite Earth, and think like researchers—where and why species live. For museums it’s a fast, scalable, repeatable activity that boosts engagement and return visits.