LAB RATS - SCIENCE CLUB

Designing an interactive science club app, empowering children to learn independently while allowing facilitators to provide focused support.

Problem

Lab Rats Science Club ran after-school STEM sessions for children aged 7–11. While facilitators were there to guide the activities, a key challenge emerged: older children required less hands-on support than younger ones, meaning facilitators needed a way to balance engagement across different ability levels.

The solution was to develop a dedicated app, deployed to event devices, which allowed older children to follow along independently, while facilitators could focus on providing more hands-on guidance to younger students.

The challenge was to design an app that was intuitive, engaging, and structured, so children could navigate activities with minimal instruction, while still supporting facilitators in leading the session effectively.

Iphone exp flow.png

Process

The project followed a research-led, iterative design approach, focusing on how to empower older children to take control of their learning while ensuring the app remained accessible to all. The interface needed to be simple enough for self-navigation, while also allowing facilitators to use it as a support tool.

The design was structured around step-by-step activity modules, using a visual, interactive layout to guide students through experiments. Large tap targets, clear instructions, and visual progress indicators ensured that children could easily follow along at their own pace without needing constant supervision.

For facilitators, the app served as a session management tool, allowing them to focus their attention on students who needed additional support while ensuring all children remained engaged.

Iterations

Early testing showed that while children responded well to the app, some struggled to find their place if they got distracted or skipped ahead. To address this, persistent progress indicators were added, helping users easily return to their last completed step.

Another key adjustment was the addition of quick-access facilitator controls, allowing instructors to reset progress, highlight key steps, or provide additional guidance when needed.

These refinements ensured that the app worked as both an independent learning tool and a facilitation aid, adapting to different session dynamics.

Final Design

The final app provided a flexible and engaging way for children to interact with STEM experiments at their own pace, while giving facilitators more freedom to support those who needed extra help.

The intuitive interface allowed older students to follow structured learning paths independently, reducing the demand on facilitators. A playful but practical design ensured that both children and instructors could use the app with ease, making it a valuable tool in the after-school club environment.

Impact

The Lab Rats app transformed the way science club sessions were delivered, enabling facilitators to manage their time more effectively while ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, remained engaged. Older students could explore experiments independently, while younger ones received more focused attention from instructors.

By balancing independent learning with guided facilitation, the app helped create a more inclusive, adaptable, and engaging science club experience.

The project demonstrated how UX-driven educational tools can support diverse learning needs, making STEM more accessible and enjoyable for all.

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LAB RATS - SCIENCE CLUB

STAR LAB

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UX & UI DESIGN

• LAB RATS - SCIENCE CLUB STAR LAB • UX & UI DESIGN

PUK - DESIGN SYSTEM