Safari in iSandBOX UTS: A Living Savannah Ecosystem for Children’s Museums and Science Centers
September 29, 2025 at 02:25 PM
Turn sand into a living savannah. Safari in iSandBOX is an AR exhibit for children’s museums and science centers that teaches food chains, water cycles, and ecology through hands-on play.
Mode at a Glance
Safari is an AR mode in the iSandBOX interactive sandbox that turns a 3D sand landscape into a living African savannah. Projection graphics and depth sensors respond to every movement: by reshaping the terrain and “pouring” water into lowlands, children trigger natural processes and watch the ecosystem change in real time.
What Children See and Do
Shape the terrain: hills, riverbeds, lakes, “oases.”
Influence climatic subzones of the savannah: more water leads to more vegetation and more herbivores.
Observe wildlife in motion: herbivores graze and drink; carnivores hunt.
Discover cause and effect: environmental changes lead to behavioral changes.
Learning Goals (STEAM)
Biology & Ecology: food chains, the role of water and vegetation, behavior of herbivores and predators.
Geography & Earth Science: landforms, bodies of water, climatic factors.
Scientific Method: hypothesis → action → observation → conclusion.
Engineering Thinking: how depth sensing reads the relief and updates the digital world in real time.
Soft Skills: teamwork while co-creating the environment.
Why This Works for Museums
High engagement: kids don’t just watch—they do. Every minute is interactive.
Zero entry barrier: put a hand in the sand and the world reacts.
Flexible format: permanent exhibit, workshop zone, or centerpiece for festivals and pop-ups.
Mixed-age friendly: ages 4–12 (and older with advanced tasks), 6–10 participants around the sandbox at once.
Language-light: visual rules are clear without lengthy instructions.
Exhibit and Program Scenarios
1) “Ecosystems of Earth” Exhibit.
Create challenge cards:
Drought: remove “water”—what happens to vegetation and herbivores?
Great River: carve a channel to a lake—how does life densify?
Island: cut off an area with water—what behavioral changes follow?
2) Ecologist Lab (30–40 minutes).
Split into teams—hydrologists, botanists, zoologists. Each adjusts one factor (water/vegetation/relief), records observations, then presents a joint conclusion about food chains and predator–prey balance.
3) Cause & Effect Mini-Lesson (20 minutes).
The facilitator sets quick tasks: “Make herbivores more numerous,” “Now make predators appear more often.” Children explain what they changed and why it worked.
4) Quest: “Saving the Savannah.”
Teams restore a disrupted ecosystem: place a watering hole, expand green zones, create safe routes to water—guided by mission cards.
Integrating Safari into Visitor Journeys
“Water & Life” track: link Safari with nearby exhibits on the water cycle, rainfall, and rivers.
Theme days: Earth Day, Biology Week, Museum Night.
Inclusive programs: tactile sand play lowers the participation barrier for children with ASD/ADHD; add clear task structure and pictograms.
Souvenir trail: “Savannah Explorer Passport” with stickers for completed missions.
Facilitation Guidelines
Ages: 4–7 (observe and try), 8–12 (investigate and conclude), 12+ (deeper topics: biocenosis, resilience, human impact).
Group size: 6–10 at the sandbox plus observers; rotate every 7–10 minutes.
Timing: express session 10–15 min; workshop 30–45 min.
Facilitator role: set a goal, capture observations, translate excitement into knowledge (“What changed? Why?”).
Quick, Practical Assessment
One “before/after” question: “What do you need to increase the number of herbivores?”
A three-point checklist: “Created a water source,” “Increased vegetation,” “Explained how it affects animals.”
Photo log of the landscape—“then/now”—for social posts and program reporting.
Exhibit Operations
Placement: access from all sides; ideal as an island or in a dedicated eco-zone.
Lighting: avoid direct top light to keep contrast high.
Hygiene: hand sanitizer/gloves nearby; scheduled sand drying and replacement.
Sound: optional ambient “savannah” audio; headset or mic for the facilitator if needed.
Staffing: one mediator manages child flow and team rotations.
Outreach & Partnerships
School visits: Safari as a key stop on the natural science route.
Collabs with zoos/field stations: joint days on animal behavior.
Grant framing: practice-based ecology + inclusion + STEAM.
What the Museum Gains
A striking, easy-to-explain exhibit with instant feedback.
Longer dwell times and more repeat family visits.
Ready-made material for workshops, camps, and theme weeks.
Straightforward integration into educational KPIs and reports.
Curator’s Takeaway
Safari in iSandBOX is not just a projection device—it is a full AR learning instrument. Children reshape a habitat with their hands and see the ecosystem respond. Complex ecological ideas become intuitive and memorable, while the museum gets a versatile, long-lived exhibit that supports programming all year long.