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Raeyan Haydar (left) and Yasir Asad (right) 

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Objective is to innovate a new toy using scientific methods.

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Ferrofluid is a liquid that is attracted to the poles of a magnet. 

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Challenge 1: Complex material (Ferrofluid) X

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Challenge 1: Complex material (Ferrofluid) X

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This form of nanotechnology seems to still be in experimental stage with many limitations such as, staining its dark ink on our materials/containers. It also causes irritation to the eyes and skin, so safety measures are needed. The ferrofluid requires a certain solvent (i.e. brine) solution, and could only be placed on flatter surfaces as well as works best with glass (no staining).

Nonetheless, its magnetic features is amazing, as there are endless opportunities for future discoveries and uses. Currently, it is mainly used as a sensory toy (for play and therapy healing) or audio desktop toy or something to absorb speaker sounds (it can dance with the music).

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We have yet to cover fully about magnets and magnetism in school, since we are only in Primary 3. However, there are plenty of videos about it.

For instance, the movement of magnets is not exactly the normal push and pull but, a downward spiral up and upward spiral down.

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There are just too many toys, leading to lots of wastage and pollution.

How to be more sustainable?

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is everywhere these days. This material can be found in our food, oceans, and even bodies. One big contributor to the plastic waste driving Pollution? . These days, most toys are made in part or fully of plastic. Alarmingly, 80 percent of toys will end up in , incinerators, or our oceans according to a piece published to Medium by Tansy Robertson-Fall of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation .

Children naturally outgrow many of their toys. After they are done with them, many parents do not know how to dispose of them. Although some may be donated or regifted, often they are simply thrown away. But, since plastic does not biodegrade, it lingers in the environment. An overhaul is needed in how toys are made and marketed.

Often, toy manufacturers will market their products to children. Children are less likely to understand, and therefore reject, marketing tactics than adults. Indeed, studies have shown that young children often struggle to separate advertisements from regular television programming. This leaves them especially vulnerable to the complex messaging that many advertisements contain.

Advertisers targeting children have a detrimental effect on the environment. Children are often less aware of the were able to correctly identify the definition of climate crisis and its effects than their older counterparts. Recently, a survey by UNICEF showed that only half of young people Climate change. This means that children may not be given the tools to understand what consuming large amounts of plastic does to the environment.

However, educating children about the climate crisis may help to alleviate showed that not only can children understand the threats that Pollution from plastic toys . A scientific review published by Project Muse Climate change poses, but they are also able to suggest solutions.

One of the authors of this review, , has several suggestions for reducing plastic waste from toys. First of all, she suggests ensuring that children are involved in discussions about Michelle Cowley-Cunningham Climate change and the harmful effects that a toy may have. Additionally, when purchasing toys, she advises looking for brands, which have a lesser environmental impact.

Next, she asks consumers to look into ways to reduce waste . Some methods of doing this include using toy banks, or programs that collect and redistribute toys as needed. Encouraging children to cherish and play with the toys that they already have can also help reduce plastic waste.

Lastly, Crowley-Cunningham encourages families to discuss marketing tactics together. When children are aware of these tactics, it can help them to think about whether a certain toy may cause damage to the environment.

Ultimately, toys have an important place in children's lives. They can foster joy, learning, and play. However, a proliferation of plastic toys that are thrown away can negatively impact the environment by causing excess plastic pollution . Marketing strategies around toys can further intensify this effect. By empowering parents and children to see through these marketing tactics, they will be better able to make choices that benefit the environment.

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Marketing of Plastic Toys Targets Children, What You Can Do to Stop Its Effect

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Plastic can be found in our food, oceans, and even bodies. One big contributor to the plastic waste driving pollution? Toys.

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A small magnet will be passing through the hose pipe "tunnel", using another magnet that will be pushing it forward externally. 

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We aim to create a toy magnet that provides some level of increasing difficulty, as a form of fine motor skills development with young toddlers, as well as the elderly who feels numbness in their fingers.

It could either be on a tabletop setting or a standing frame.

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How to increase the level of difficulty?

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How to increase the level of difficulty?

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Increasing levels of difficulty by adding more cardboards behind.

Possibly could change the external magnets to weaker ones and/or provide a small load for the internal magnet to carry through.

We could also allow the user to increase the length of the tunnel and to make more swirls, in increasing the level of difficulty.

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1. A better and larger outer covering for the external magnet, to make it look attractive. Also to prevent instances of swallowing/choking (young children)

2. Ensure movement is smoother and sturdier base frame

3. Use of velcro for easy installation on the base frame

4. Magnets of different levels of difficulty

5. More transparent tubing

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Low levels difficulty, with smaller base frame