EXPLORESIN
A proposed outdoor enrichment centre and weekend program designed to reconnect children curious and impressionable minds of children aged 6-12 with Singapore's history and nature.
Situated in the historically rich Fort Canning Park, the program moves learning beyond the classroom through an immersive blend of physical exploration and digital interaction.
The project addresses the growing disconnect from cultural heritage by transforming historical education into an engaging adventure, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and a deeper appreciation for the past.
3 EXPERIENCE PRINCIPLES
Re-engaging Youth with Heritage
PROJECT VISION
This project was born from the observation that modern communities are becoming increasingly disconnected from their local history and heritage. EXPLORESIN was conceived to tackle this by making history education a dynamic, hands-on, and social experience.
The core "why" is to help children understand their past, appreciate the present, and shape a more informed future. By leveraging the unique historical landscape of Fort Canning Park, the program turns passive learning into an active discovery process.
An Immersive Learning Landscape
The design of the EXPLORESIN centre itself is intended to encourage curiosity from the moment a child arrives. The architecture features curved, maze-like structures that evoke a sense of adventure and discovery, mirroring the exploratory nature of the program.
A Seamless Bridge Between Exploration and Documentation. To support the exploratory mission of EXPLORESIN, a companion web app was designed to function as a digital journal. The concept focuses on simplicity and engagement for its young users.
EXPLORESIN Digital Journal
Fort Canning Scavenger hunt
The Hunt: Equipped with the digital journal app, children embark on a weekly themed scavenger hunt, searching for hidden markers at historical sites.
The Discovery: Upon finding a clue, they scan it with the app, which reveals a fragment of a historical story and logs it in their digital gallery.
The Collaboration: After all fragments are collected, the group works together to piece the narrative into the correct chronological order on the interactive screen
Fort Canning Storybook
The Creation: This collaborative effort culminates in a creative session where children build a physical storybook, incorporating their own drawings and natural materials found on-site.
Fort Canning Storytelling
The Sharing: The experience concludes with a storytelling session, encouraging children to share their interpretations using props like leaves and twigs, solidifying their learning through creative expression.
