Project Overview

Our team developed a STEM tablet app aimed at teaching math through baseball science for middle school students. The concept combined educational content with interactive elements, including a virtual coach and calculator.

Design Process

• Using Sketch to create UI elements and game process diagrams
• Collaboration with 3D modelers and developers; Development in Unity framework
• Note: no formative user testing was done during development. 

Challenges and Outcomes

While the initial concept was promising, the app could not compete with pure entertainment games. User testing by dfusion, inc, an education technology company  in California, revealed that students found the prototype too similar to traditional schoolwork.

Since sustainable funding depended on a successful first prototype, the project was shut down after its first failure with user testing.

Key Learnings

1. Importance of user-centered-design

• Project owners should recognize the value of a discovery phase and iterative design process
• Implement quick prototyping with target users (middle school students) early in the process.
• Gather user-based insights to guide development
•  Embrace failure as a learning opportunity
• Study successful edutainment products for inspiration

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Foster better communication between UX designers, developers, and 3D modelers.
•  Give design more of a leadership role.

Moving Forward

This project highlighted the potential for combining sports and STEM education. However, success depends on using a user-centered approach and adequate resources. Surely gamifying education is a solvable problem. 

Future iterations could involve quick formative testing with middle school kids to understand how to successfully engage students in math learning through their interest in baseball.