By Jennifer Mrozowski
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Design students at the University of Cincinnati believe they have figured out ways to make learning fun and efficient by designing molecule-shaped jungle gyms, adjustable teeter-totters to teach students math concepts, and armadillo-shaped recycling bins.

The fifth-year seniors in the Industrial Design program at UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning worked with Cincinnati Public School teachers for 10 weeks to create the learning tools and environments.

They observed students in classrooms and developed a backpack system for field trips, classroom furniture designed for group work, an audio-visual cart for teachers and a playground on which equipment helps to teach kids math and science.

The students hope to convert their drawings, graphics and models into prototype products for eventual sale.

"I can't imagine an elementary school in the country that wouldn't love to have this equipment," said Carthage Paideia Academy principal Margaret Hammond, who critiqued the students' work. "Seeing all these science aspects integrated in playground equipment is very exciting."

Dale Murray, an assistant professor who traditionally has his senior class incorporate social responsibility into projects, got the idea to have his students design educational tools and environments after meeting CPS teacher Paula Hanley at a neighborhood homeowners association meeting in May.

Ms. Hanley was on the architectural design committee for a new Cincinnati Academy of Math and Science (CAMAS). A new CAMAS school is part of a $1 billion construction plan proposed for CPS.

The two educators talked about the need to build environmentally friendly school facilities, and the education design project began to take shape.

Among the students' designs:

A recycling program that incorporates a mascot. Recycling receptacles are shaped like the shell of an armadillo and have a hoop on the inside to make it fun to toss recyclables into the receptacle. The students also figured out ways to incorporate recycling in a curriculum geared toward proficiency standards.

A multipocketed backpack that can be used for field trips.

A math and science playground, which has adjustable parts on its swings, slides and teeter totters so students can use them to learn math and science. For example, the adjustable swing set could be used to teach kids about timing, speed and pendulums.

"I would like to petition some companies to have the designs put into production," said Jason Rowe, who designed the backpack.

E-mail jmrozowski@enquirer.com