Pentagram’s DIY Flashlight Kit Brings Light And Learning To Displaced Children

Design studio Pentagram has teamed up with social enterprise Ambessa Play to develop a new, educational STEM kit that aims to capture children’s imagination and spark creativity for those interested in honing STEM skills.

Ambessa—which means lion in Eritrean and Ethiopian languages—is often said to kids as a word for “congratulations” or “well done.” To ensure displaced children have the same tools as others, the company will give away an item for free for every kit purchased. 

The DIY Flashlight kit will teach young ones to create a battery-free light source that uses a motor to charge a capacitor, powering the LED lamp for up to 15 minutes. In total, there are 10 separate parts and 16 steps, allowing kids to grow more familiar with kinetic and electronic concepts.

To create a STEM kit that would be fun, attractive, and useful, the studio worked closely with Sara Berkai, Ambessa Play’s Founder, to pay close attention to the tactile designs that would make the step-by-step process memorable for children.

This included the addition of bespoke cable connectors and an extra handle for fast winding. In addition, kids’ feedback was considered at every turn, with charities such as Refugee Council, Care for Calais, Project Play, and more ensuring the designs were optimized for younger users.

Many of the early prototypes were tested by children at these charities, with the final design settling on a flashlight in the form of a handheld torch, which can be worn around one’s neck with an accompanying lanyard or displayed upright to be used as a lantern for reading.

Furthermore, the kit’s packaging was created to be an integral part of the product experience and support the children as they built the flashlight—with instructions and component organization charts displayed on the eco-friendly exterior that minimized material use as much as possible.

More information on the DIY Flashlight can be found on Kickstarter.

[via Design Week and Pentagram, images via Pentagram]