Light

Laboratory

Kodo's Standard Warranty for the Light Lab Panel is 1 year from date of purchase. Kodo’s warranty covers repairs due to manufacturers defects or workmanship. The warranty is voided from any use deemed excessive by Kodo. Examples of excessive use include, but is not limited to: Anyone standing on the Light Lab Panel, Being used with or submerged in water/liquids, Making any modifications or repairs to any part of the Light Lab panel without approval from Kodo.
Extended Warranty - $35 for 3 year warranty. Must be purchased within 30 days of Light Lab Panel purchase

1. What is the primary function and unique feature of the Kodo Light Lab?

The Kodo Light Lab is a light panel designed to allow children to directly and physically control color mixing. Its unique feature is the inclusion of knobs that enable children to adjust the intensity of red, blue, and green light, resulting in an almost limitless spectrum of color combinations. This hands-on approach distinguishes it from standard light tables.

2. What key learning concepts does the Kodo Light Lab help children understand?

The Light Lab provides a foundational understanding of additive and subtractive color mixing. Children learn that combining red, green, and blue light creates white light (additive), while mixing colored pigments typically leads to black (subtractive). This direct manipulation offers a scientific understanding of light and color often not grasped until later in life.

3. Why did Kodo prioritize physical, analog controls over digital interfaces for the Light Lab?

Kodo intentionally designed the Light Lab with physical knobs to provide children with meaningful tactile experiences. In a world increasingly dominated by digital "soft keys," these precise, physical controls offer immediate visible feedback to a child's input, aiding in the development of dexterity and providing a more direct and engaging sensory experience.

4. How does the Kodo Light Lab support educators and classroom needs?

The Light Lab is designed with teachers in mind, offering versatility for creating diverse lesson plans and engagement opportunities. The availability of various accessories and compatibility with manipulatives from Kodo and other vendors allows for extended exploration throughout the year. Kodo also provides guidance in the product guide to help teachers connect the play to scientific concepts.

5. In what ways does play with the Light Lab align with early childhood learning standards?

Exploration with the Light Lab naturally aligns with various early childhood learning standards. It encourages scientific reasoning as children make predictions and analyze results when manipulating colors. It fosters positive approaches to learning, such as curiosity and motivation. Collaborative play around the Light Lab also supports social and emotional development and the establishment of positive relationships among peers.

6. How does the Light Lab integrate STEM concepts into play-based learning?

The Light Lab inherently integrates STEM concepts. Through experimentation with light and color, children engage with science by exploring material properties, cause and effect, and prediction. The use of physical controls introduces basic technological interaction. Constructing on the light surface allows for the experiential understanding of structural engineering, while exploring color proportions by adding and subtracting certain amounts of light touches upon mathematical concepts. These are just a few of the many different ways the Light Lab will support STEM.

7. How does the Kodo Light Lab foster 21st-century learning skills?

The Light Lab actively promotes several 21st-century skills. Children demonstrate creativity by mixing colors and layering materials. They enhance communication skills through expressive and receptive language when discussing their creations and observations. Critical thinking is developed as they compare light mixing with prior experiences of pigment mixing. The round design of the panel encourages collaboration as children can easily work together and share ideas.

8. What is Kodo's overall philosophy behind the design of the Light Lab?

Kodo's philosophy behind the Light Lab centers on empowering children through play to develop a foundational understanding of scientific concepts, particularly light and color. They aim to provide an engaging, hands-on experience that sparks curiosity, encourages experimentation, and connects to important developmental and educational standards. The emphasis on physical manipulation of the light intensity and its integration with various materials underscores Kodo's belief in combining materials to stimulate inquiry and investigation.