Dodgeball with a screen? Lake Forest Hills Elementary shows off 'interactive playground'

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read

Several students at Lake Forest Hills Elementary School had a ball playing with their new toy on Thursday.

The school held a demonstration of their new Lü Interactive Playground, the first of its kind in the Richmond County School System.

The Lü is similar to the large smart boards in most classrooms. However, the projected screen is much larger, and the projector features bright and colorful lights, which add to the experience.

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One of the first games Lake Forests' students demonstrated was "Target," where they threw dodge balls at colorful targets. The targets disappeared when the ball made contact and points were tallied for each target hit. They also invited visitors to do a dancing game, where they moved to the music and the projector provided accompanying disco music.

P.E. Teacher Wendy Boling said this system also provides activities for other school subjects, like a similar game to "Target" but with math problems as well as geography, history, health, etc. There are a lot of customization options for the various activities.

The technology comes from Québec, Canada. When administrators saw videos of the Lü online, they jumped at the chance. It cost $27,000 funded through Title I and Principal Lisa Hughey said it took "quite awhile" for installation, but they were anxious to get it and the students have gotten a kick out of it.

"They love it," Hughey said. "They don't realize that their learning has been gamified. What they love is playing video-games, so they're able to get physical and their mind is engaged. It's the total package for us."

The goal is to make this an incentive for students and to help fill learning gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lake Forest's staff also hopes other schools in the county see this tool and are able to get one for their own classes.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Lake Forest Hills Elementary in Augusta has Lü Interactive Playground