PRIMATE BISCUIT FEEDER
DESIGN
The Primate Biscuit Feeder is an interactive game similar to the game "Simon Says,". A light pattern flashes on the four buttons, and the primates must repeat the pattern to earn a biscuit. When the pattern is completed correctly, a hopper containing around 80 biscuits (the amount of biscuits the primates are allowed to have each day) will release several biscuits. The biscuits are released by a linear actuator, which retracts and then returns to its original position, pushing the biscuits into a drop box that dispenses the biscuits to the primates.
A de-jammer was installed to prevent the biscuits from getting stuck in the hopper. The de-jammer consists of a triangular wooden block with a bungee cord and trimmer line wrapped around a pulley that moves with the linear actuator, pressing the biscuits downward when the linear actuator retracts. The Primate Biscuit Feeder was delivered to the Columbian Park Zoo on November 29, 2012.
PUPPET STAGE
DESIGN
The Puppet Stage is approximately 4.8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It is free-standing and has sound effects that the children can activate by pressing various buttons. Safety issues have been addressed so that the children can be the puppeteers when using this project. There are three different background themes: arctic, nocturnal and underwater. The project involved designing and constructing the stage, the backdrops and sound system. Puppets for the plays may be chosen and purchased in the future. This project was delivered to the Columbian Park Zoo on April 1, 2005.
THE ZOOKEEPER GAME
INTERACTIVE ANIMAL EDUCATION EXHIBIT (IAEE)
DESIGN
The Primate Biscuit Feeder is an interactive game similar to the game "Simon Says,". A light pattern flashes on the four buttons, and the primates must repeat the pattern to earn a biscuit. When the pattern is completed correctly, a hopper containing around 80 biscuits (the amount of biscuits the primates are allowed to have each day) will release several biscuits. The biscuits are released by a linear actuator, which retracts and then returns to its original position, pushing the biscuits into a drop box that dispenses the biscuits to the primates.
A de-jammer was installed to prevent the biscuits from getting stuck in the hopper. The de-jammer consists of a triangular wooden block with a bungee cord and trimmer line wrapped around a pulley that moves with the linear actuator, pressing the biscuits downward when the linear actuator retracts. The Primate Biscuit Feeder was delivered to the Columbian Park Zoo on November 29, 2012.
DESIGN
The Interactive Animal Education Experience (IAEE) is, physically, a touchscreen tablet that will broadcast to a 48" TV in the Zoo's education building. The features of the IAEE will include promotional information for the Zoo's upcoming events, news and information about the animals, conservation messages, games and a live video feed of the Hellbender exhibit. It is important that the tablet and TV have an attractive user interface, are child friendly and still display information when idle. It will be easy for the Zoo staff to maintain and update with new information. Overall, the IAEE will provide an educational experience, encourage community involvement and promote conservation programs. This project is scheduled to be delivered this semester and will hopefully be fully functioning when the Zoo opens in the spring.
ANIMAL SIMON
DESIGN
The Animal Simon is a game based on the game "Simon" and is intended for young children. The objective of the game is to test the memory skills of children while educating them about animals and the sounds that they make. First, animal sounds are played from a speaker. Then the child must press the button corresponding to the animals that made the sound. Every time the child presses the correct button, that animal sound will be played again followed by another. The sequence continues until the child presses an incorrect animal button. The game is then restarted. The child who gets 99 sequences correct will win the game. There will be 8 buttons with animals pictures arranged in a square grid around the center of a 1 foot square board.
FARM DONATION BOX
DESIGN
Because the Columbian Park Zoo is a non-profit organization, they rely heavily on patron donations to maintain the premises and attract guests. In past semesters, the EPICS Zoo Team developed the donation box to increase patron donations to the Columbian Park Zoo. The design is similar to the game "Plinko," where a coin will randomly bounce off plastic pegs on a barn-shaped Plinko board. At the bottom, there are five different 3D models of zoo animals that the coin can fall behind. When the coin falls behind one of the animals, the corresponding animal sound is played.
The Donation Box was recovered from the zoo in Fall 2012 and has been improved. The team has done cosmetic improvements to the box by painting the box and adding the Columbian Park Zoo and EPICS logos, as well as a Purdue "P" on the side. During the Spring 2013 semester, the team also replaced the damaged ramps with new ramps that matched the color of the box. In addition, the team replaced the scratched plexiglass with a thinner plexiglass sheet to reduce scratching from the pegs. The donation box was re-delivered at the end of the Spring 2013 semester, and in the spring of 2015 after minor maintenance. The project was delivered again in spring of 2019 after retouching on box-aesthetics and fixing the tipping issue of the box.
ANIMAL OPERATION
DESIGN
The goal of the Animal Operation game is to educate children about the geographic location of the natural habitat of various animals, and the sound that each makes. Based off the game "Operation", the object of the game is to dextrously and carefully remove the animal pieces from holes without bumping onto the edges of the holes. If the tweezers make contact with the edges of the holes, the sound of that animal is played and the child's turn is over.
An electronic timer keeps track of the time. The children have a certain amount of time to remove as many animals as possible, and the child who removes the most animals wins. The amount of time set on the timer can be varied, so older children can be challenged by playing with less time, while younger children can play with more time. The animal sounds are stored on a compact flash card and are played through a digital sound board. All circuitry is located under the game playing surface to safeguard children from hazards. The lid of the case is decorated with facts about the animals exhibited in the game. This project was delivered to the Columbian Park Zoo on April 1, 2005.