Roominate is the first toy designed by Alice, Jennifer, and Bettina – three Stanford graduate students who wish they saw more women in their upper level math and science classes. They designed Roominate to develop young girls’ confidence and enthusiasm for math, science and learning through fun hands-on play. Roominate is crafted for girls aged 6-10.
Roominate is a kit of building pieces and circuit components with which a child can use her creativity to design, build, wire, and decorate her own unique interactive room. The rooms are even attachable and stackable, enabling girls to build and design expandable structures. The pieces are made to be simple and intuitive so as to allow a girl to explore and discover on her own.
Over the past few months, we have tested prototypes with more than 200 girls in our target age range. Young girls have experimented with our toys at local events and at the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco. They have tested our toys individually, in small groups and in large groups, both with and without adult guidance. We have been performing rapid product iteration based on feedback and observation. We are thrilled with our alpha version of Roominate! Young girls have loved the product and are anxiously awaiting their opportunities to own their own kits.
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