Moving toys (Automata) in the classroom

Automata: Moving toys in the classroom

The European CLOHE educational project is an innovative project that is using mechanical moving toys (Automata) as a tool to enhance primary student’s learning across a range of transversal key competences.

Mechanical moving toys (Automata) are a great way to introduce engineering, arts, sculpture, mechanics and science, by combining play and technology.  If we want children to understand the importance of technology and engineering then mechanical toys are an ideal way to introduce the concepts. But mechanical toys go further as they have always fascinated children as they combine the elements of creative play with the unexplained magic of their movement.

Mechanical moving toys (Automata) also offer education, ways to explore arts and game based activities around the construction and understanding of automata. The planned activities, that the project will produce, will provide innovative pedagogical paths for teachers to enhance children’s ‘learning to learn’ capabilities and reinforce key transversal competences and basic skills.  

CLOHE will adapt and reinvent didactics to allow more creative and multitask learning paths where primary children are motivated to use multidimensional, cognitive resources to achieve learning outcomes.

The CLOHE project outcomes will allow teachers and students to build their own Automata that includes detailed teacher guides, workshops, documentation, methodologies and an online virtual museum were students will be able to show their results to their peers.

All the project resources will be piloted in schools across Europe and the resources produced be available for use from the project website.

What are Automata?

Automata are mechanical moving toys. An Automata combines engineering, cultural and artistic expression. Automata are “story telling mechanical sculptures”.

An automata‘s motion is usually created by mechanical tools like cams, cogs, gears and handles but some use batteries or solar energy.  Often the lower or inner part of the toy includes the mechanical elements and the upper part is the ‘toy that moves’ as a result of the mechanical elements. 

Find out more about the CLOHE project and how you can get involved by contacting:

• Joel Josephson
• Partner
• joel.josephson@joel-josephson.org

Website: http://www.clohe-movingtoys.eu/