Erin MacDonald

Mass Collaboration = Innovation, BLUElab, University of Michigan, 2006 - This exhibit posed three sustainable-design problems; offered information and activities to help exhibit visitors understand these problems; and provided space and materials to enable visitors to solve the design problems. Through participation in collaborative problem-solving, visitors learned about the complexities of sustainability issues. I conceptualized the exhibit and led the design team.

Ghostnet Problem - A decision tree described the tough decisions that fishermen face in their jobs, and why, in so many cases, torn fishing nets end up in the ocean.

Ghostnet Solution I - One problem posed to visitors was to find a use for used fishing nets so that fishermen would have an incentive to keep them, instead of throwing them into the ocean where they can damage the ecosystem.

Ghostnet Solution II - A group of students showcases their solution to the ghostnet problem.

Energetic Work of Art Problem - Here, visitors were asked to design an energetic work of art for campus that would harness the physical energy of many participants into a useful demonstration of the relationship between different forms of energy. An exercise bike that powered light bulbs and LEDs served as an example. Visitors also learned about energy usage in the United States.

Rancho al Medio Problem - We asked visitors to create business plans for the small community of Rancho al Medio in the Dominican Republic. Visitors could use resources available in the gallery to learn about the community, including a multimedia presentation and the advice of volunteers familiar with the community.