Primo: Pre-Literacy Programming Robot Interface

Project:   Primo - Teaching programming logic to children age 4 to 7

Creator:  Primo

Description:  Teaching kids programming and programming logic is the In Thing these days, but one of the cooler implementations of it appears to come from the UK-based firm Primo.  They've designed a tiny robot (Cubetto) with an appealing puzzle-piece form, which can be controlled via an interface board "programmed" by putting in blocks which serve as non-verbal blocks of programming code.  It's an expensive toy, perhaps (the full assembled kit costs 160 pounds), and one which reminds me of trying to get a remote-controlled car moving, but one with a little more brainy heft.  Fun stuff.

LightUp: Electronic Building Blocks and Augmented Reality App

Project Title : LightUp: Learn by Making (with Augmented Reality)

Creator : Josh Chan (LightUp)

Description : I've been a supporter of this project since day 1, if I recall correctly, and though I wanted to get Josh and the LightUp folks onto the Bake Sale podcast, we just couldn't get our schedules to sync.  No wonder, too, because their project's been a stunning success, raising more than $100,000 compared to their $50,000 goal.

What is LightUp?  It's a little bit like Snap Circuits in its use of kid-safe electronic components (e.g., complete a circuit and turn on a light) except that the LightUp adds to that an augmented reality app via your smartphone that will allow kids to "virtually" see the electricity flowing through the circuit -- or not flowing, if you and your kids have failed to construct the circuit properly.  That's the sort of thing that I think really makes the educational possibilities of this project shine.

There are lots of different types of kits available starting at $39, and the fancier ones will even allow you and your kids to do some Arduino programming.  If you'd like to support the project, though, you'd better hurry as it ends Sunday night, June 30.