SciPlay is a design, research, and development unit within NYSCI that iteratively creates play-based learning environments. These environments are initially designed based on theories about how children learn science. To understand how our prototyping works, we use both qualitative and quantitative data on key outcomes and usability metrics. This ensures that changes we make to our designs are principled and informed by data. When our projects enter the next phase, we conduct more formal research studies, using some of the same metrics and methodologies but with more users to better document the efficacy of our projects with statistical reliability.

One important outcome of SciPlay’s work is our intellectual products: findings (research and presentations) that chronicle the design, prototyping, and project development phases of our work. Additionally, as an applied research center, we disseminate our play-based learning environments and related activities to educators and parents. The best of our work becomes part of NYSCI’s offerings.