littleBits has long been adding some character to the world of learning to code, just recently debuting its Avengers Inventor Kit. Today they’re back with the unveil of their latest additions to their lineup of STEAM releases, this time forgoing any brand partnerships in favor of three original inventor kits. Taking the form of a remote-controlled rover, synth guitar and voice-activated grabber, you’ll want to head below for all the details.
As far as STEAM-focused building kits aimed towards a younger demographic go, littleBits is one of the companies at the head of the pack. Their past releases have been filled with such charm, that it’s hard to deny how impactful the kits are at conveying programming concepts while still being a joyful experience.
Now after teaming up with the Avengers, littleBits is back with three new original kits. Each of the releases bring different activities into the mix and carry the same education-packed experiences, just in all-new form-factors. The Base Inventor Kit is a more general purpose set that allows you to assemble everything from a voice-activated robotic grabber to a room-protecting intruder alarm and more.
On the more creative side, the Electronic Music Inventor Kit introduces melodies and crafting tunes into the world of littleBits. The main build for the kit centers around assembling and customizing a synth guitar, but you’ll also be able to reconfigure the components into any kind of musical instrument you can imagine.
Lastly, there’s the Space Rover Inventor Kit, which happens to be my personal favorite of the bunch. As the name implies, you’ll be creating your very own remote-controlled rover that can be altered to collect ‘space rocks’ or even search for people.
Each of the sets come with a different assortment of littleBits blocks and all rely on different methods of teaching STEAM techniques. They are all paired with unique companion apps as well.
Pricing varies across the new releases, with both the Base and Music Inventor Kits fetching $100 price tags. The rover kit on the other hand fetches $200, and is the most expensive release from the company to date. Each of the kits are currently available for purchase from littleBits as well as Amazon.
Given how impressed I’ve been with past kits from littleBits, it’s pretty safe to say that the upcoming releases will be equally as impactful when it comes to inspiring an interest in science and programming at a young age. For those who may not be the biggest fans of Marvel Superheroes or Star Wars droids, the three new kits offer fresh ways to learn to code.
[9to5-press-release]
New York – September 12, 2018 – littleBits, the inventor of the electronic building block, is using kids’ own passions to get them excited about STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) at home and at school. Today, the company introduced a line of three new inventor kits that challenge kids to build fun, playful inventions and give them the lifelong skills necessary to change the world.
Gen Z is characterized by innovation and activism: 60 percent hope their jobs (or future jobs) will positively impact the world. A creative, curious, and empathetic group, Gen Z seeks inspiration from the activists and inventors that came before them. littleBits today launched three kits that leverage inspiring stories as a gateway to get kids excited about STEAM: from Boyan Slat, the 16 year old who invented a new method for cleaning our oceans; to Imogen Heap, an electronic musician who invented a set of gloves that allow her to create music through movement; to NASA, which screens for people with gaming experience in the hiring process.
Additional information about each of the kits is listed below:
Base Inventor Kit: Over 12 activities in the free Inventor App guide kids through building fun inventions, such as a voice-activated robotic gripper arm that can act as a prosthetic. Kids are then challenged to create their own inventions to improve their home, help their community, or save the environment. ($99.99)
Electronic Music Inventor Kit: Creative kids build and customize a rockin’ synth guitar using littleBits electronic building blocks, then transform it into brand new instruments from their imagination such as hands-free air drums, drawing inspiration from some of the most world changing musical inventors. ($99.99)
Space Rover Inventor Kit: Over 30 activities in the free Inventor App guide kids through understanding the highly competitive space race and building and controlling space vehicle inventions, like a space rock collector or an alien life detector. ($199.99)
“littleBits is an activist company: we want to empower kids to invent the world they want to live in,” said Ayah Bdeir founder and CEO. “We are inspired by this generation’s desire to help others, improve their communities, or break new barriers in art, design, and science. Our newest line of products is designed to equip them with what they need to understand how technology around them works, get excited about STEM/STEAM and use invention methods to make their creative ideas happen.”
In parallel to the launch of the Base Inventor Kit, Electronic Music Inventor Kit, and Space Rover Inventor Kit, littleBits will unveil supplementary online video content and tutorials on JAM.com, the largest paid subscription video course platform for kids. The online courses mark the first collaboration between the companies since littleBits acquired DIY, in July 2018. Complementary video courses on JAM.com will extend the invention process for each of the littleBits inventor kits, offering extra tips, stories, and demonstrations for young inventors.
Each of littleBits’ inventor kits comes with Bits, paper templates, accessories, a 9V battery, and a free inventor app equipped with in-app activities with step-by-step instructions and tutorials that guide kids through building and customizing fun inventions that help them unleash their creativity. The Base Inventor Kit, Electronic Music Inventor Kit, and Space Rover Inventor Kit are fun on their own, or they can be combined and reconfigured to create brand-new inventions. They are available on Amazonand littleBits.com.
For more information, please visit www.littleBits.com.
[/9to5-press-release]
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