From Play to Power
A soccer ball that lights up a lamp. A jump rope that charges a phone. Those are two products currently offered by Uncharted Play – a for-profit company based out of New York City – that will be joining CEC’s annual Earth Day Festival next week, tapping the boundless energy of kids.
Uncharted Play’s technology works much like wind turbines. As the ball rolls or the jump rope turns, a motor tucked away on the inside of the products turns as well and powers a small battery. Typically marketed to people in developing countries who lack easy access to electricity, the sports products can also be used here in the U.S. by those looking to reduce their own reliance on fossil fuels. One hour of play with the soccer ball, called a SOCCKET, can yield up to three hours of light, while only 15 minutes of skipping on the PULSE can power over two hours of light on the company’s standard portable lamps.
For company co-founder, Jessica O. Matthews, developing the environmentally friendly items has been a way to use innovation and youth engagement for the good of people and the earth. Given the coming effects of widespread climate change, youth engagement and innovation will continue to be crucial in helping the world adjust to a warmer planet.
Jessica and Uncharted Play will join CEC at the March for Climate, Sunday, April 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Starting at the Kids’ Stage at 12:30 and winding around the festival to the Main Stage. The march will be led by Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider, stilt walkers, oversized puppets created by local artist Matt McAvene, and the 7-foot-tall environmental educator, Snook the Sloth (#SnooktheSloth).
Uncharted Play will also be in attendance at the festival, where they will be showing off the PULSE – their energy generating jump ropes.
“To me, play is simply happiness,” Jessica says. “Happiness in its most creative, dynamic, and challenging form. For a full, happy life, play is a must.”
Uncharted Play is offering 2015 Earth Day attendees a ten percent discount on all their products from Thursday, April 17 to Monday, April 20. To take advantage of this offer, use the “SantaBarbara10” promo code when checking out.
Join CEC on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Alameda Park. For more information about festival activities, stage schedules, and other event information, visit the Santa Barbara Earth Day website at www.sbearthday.org and visit our Earth Day Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sbearthday.