ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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I have experimented a little bit with Little Bits. I don't know if they will stand up to a lot of usage, as there are very small wires connecting several of the components. They are quite inventive though. I also have Cubelets, which we are about to start using on the floor with adult docents. The Cubelets seem to be more hardened, even though so far they are a Beta Release sold only by pre-order. Both of these products' modules attach with tiny neodymium magnets and use rechargeable batteries. They are only programmable by the way you attach the blocks together and neither is inexpensive. I was able to work a good bit with PicoCrickets this summer with campers and I really love them. The modules plug together with cables and it is so easy to program them to do fun and amazing things. However, they are now off the market. At least I was able to get enough of them to replace our aged Robotix just before the last PicoCrickets kits were sold.
We have used Snap Circuits with school groups in Electricity Labs for a couple of years and they are holding up well. As far as teaching electricity though, personally I favor a very transparent approach--using LEDs or light bulbs, small motors, simple wires, a battery (or solar panel). I'd rather not even use a battery holder--do you know how many adults don't know that you can use a battery without a battery holder? The teachers and students do like the Snap Circuits, though.
If you haven't tuned into CNN's half-hour show "The Next List," you're missing something good. The shows feature innovators in various fields and there have been episodes on Ayah Bdeir (Little Bits creator), Dale Dougherty (Make Magazine founder), and Scott Snibbe (Snibbe Interactives), who has created some great exhibits used in science centers and other venues. You can view the shows online.
Becky Fox Matthews
Senior Educator/Special Projects Manager
Adventure Science Center
800 Ft. Negley Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37203
615-401-5073
Our Mission
Adventure Science Center ignites curiosity and inspires the lifelong discovery of science.
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dana and Kathy Dawes
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 12:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Circuit Kits for Elementary Labs
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
We have just found a new product online called "littleBits". Here is the
link: http://littlebits.cc/
We haven't tried them yet, but they look fascinating. The developer of these
did a TED talk (Ayah Bdeir: Building blocks that blink, beep and teach) that
will give you more information about how they can be used.
Kathy Dawes
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Palouse Discovery Science Center
Pullman, WA
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Heather Norton
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Circuit Kits for Elementary Labs
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*
Has anyone found a really good circuit kit that is good for elementary
students but also survives the daily use of field trips? We have been
looking at Snap Circuits and other plastic kits but don't think they
will stand up. Our ultimate goal is to give students a chance to design
their own unique circuits given a set of given materials or objects.
Thank you!
Heather Norton
Senior Director of Education
Orlando Science Center
407.514.2097
407.514.2067
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Inspire Science Learning for Life
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