Hayes Raffle and Amanda Parkes, two researchers at MIT’s MediaLab developed Topobo. To some Topobo might resemble Lego Mindstorms in the sense that it also allows children (and the inner child of adults of course) to build dynamic constructions, yet it is a little different. In fact it is a toy construction set made up of elements with kinetic memory. Movements can be recorded and played back by children. Topobo was conceived as a playful way for children to learn about dynamic systems/system dynamics.

A next generation of games does not only combine the physical and the virtual dimensions of contemporary reality in innovative ways, many of them are also aimed at learning about systems, technology. Whereas technology nowadays still carries the mechanical, electronic, sillicon type of connotations, in time these will undoubtedly shift  into more organic, biological, biotechnological directions. Imagine experimentation or construction kits for children focussing on learning about genetic systems, bioengineering, etc.

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