Kano Pixel Kit is a Fun Addition & Teaches So Much!

July 15, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

You might remember that I have been having fun with my girls in using the Kano and learning coding in fun ways. I share my experiences with the Kano Screen and Computer Kits as well as the add-on Motion Sensor in the past and today I am sharing the new Kano Pixel Kit with you!

Kano has added a pixel kit to their line of kid’s computer and coding products, bringing yet more fun and potential to this unique learning experience. For those that already own a Kano system and have been enjoying the experience of watching your children become more adept at creating games and creatures through the actual manipulation of code language, the Kano Pixel Kit is a natural next step.

The Kano Pixel Kit is a fun way to learn how to code, simply connect it to any computer and follow the step-by-step challenges to get started. Creators can create characters, make them run and jump, make spaceships swerve, balls bounce and keep track of scoreboards. You can also make your own drawings and see them lit up on the pixel kit.

At first glance, a Kano Pixel Kit seems little more than an extension of the computer monitor itself, bringing to life creations on an LED panel that could, just as easily, be viewed on a screen. However, the benefit of the Pixel Kit has less to do with the “extra dimension” that the peripheral provides and more to do with expanding the user’s thinking about how coding can be applied to devices beyond their monitor.

Designing and transferring digital creations to the Pixel Kit, and then maneuvering those creations around the pixel kit with an independent “joystick” reinforces in the user the more hands-on, real world applications of computer coding. Creating code that will be capable of manipulating a robot arm or a CAD (Computer Aided Design) device will be the next logical step, and something they will certainly look forward to. The Pixel Kit is the gateway to recognizing these possibilities.

Young coders will love being able to use this device to make flashing signs, manipulate coded characters, and become acquainted with some of the landscape algorithms that have made games like Minecraft and Roblox popular. It also comes with a few lightshow modes that allow the user to experience a sound visualizer as well as an interesting and stimulating “particle flow” simulation. Rudimentary games can also be created and played, such as the classic Breakout and Super Snake. Much like the Kano computer itself, the excitement of the Pixel Kit isn’t derived from any incredible graphic capabilities but rather the straightforward way it is able to take the user from basic coding steps to a simple creation that is all their own. As an add-on, the Kano Pixel Kit represents the next progression in your child’s coding adventure.

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GraviTrax – STEM Learning at Your Fingertips #Giveaway

June 19, 2018 by dadofdivas 5 Comments

Experience the power of gravity with GraviTrax. This interactive track system provides endless activities and challenges for any STEM enthusiast. Design and build marble race-tracks on your own, or by following the GraviTrax design guides. Experiment with gravity, magnetism, and kinetics to launch your marbles to the finish line. Bring the race to the next level with expansion packs and action accessories for more features and speed. Enjoy the GraviTrax app as well. You can have fun on your own creating builds that you can watch come to life in digital form, or build and test your own track ideas before you create them in real life with the app’s detailed building instruction feature. (App available for free via Google Play and the Apple store)

Product Contents:
4 Base Plates, 2 Transparent Levels, 6 Balls, 40 Large Height Tiles, 12 Small Height Tiles, 21 Curves, 3 Junctions, 2 Switches, 1 3-1 Block, 1 Vortex, 1 Launch Pad, 1 Magnetic Cannon, 3 Long Tracks, 6 Medium Tracks, 9 Short Tracks, 1 Finish Line, 4 Basic Tiles, 5 Inserts for Basic Tiles and Instruction Booklet

My Take on GraviTrax

GraviTrax is a very cool product that brings together fun, science, critical thinking and more. My daughters and I loved this as it challenged us to think beyond the book that they gave us to create some runs for the balls to maneuver. You have to think strategically to see how the ball will traverse the course and at times you have to make adjustments to correct some of the issues that you initially thought would work. GraviTrax does give you and your kids a book that you can follow to get a feel for the tracks that you can create with their help, but then the sky is the limit when it comes to the courses that you wish to create. All-in-all, this was a very fun product that I would recommend to all!

Giveaway

How would you like to win this for yourself or for your family? All you need to enter is the following:

Share a comment about how else you might try and teach STEM concepts to children.
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY –

Winner must be a resident of the U.S.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Colorific Build-a-bot – Robots Built By You

December 24, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Colorific Build a Bot

The Colorific Build-a-bot is a line of colorful and cute robots that are built using an easy click ‘n’ create system! With three adorable designs to choose from (Bunny, Fox and Dino), children can create unique characters by mixing and matching their various parts. Kids can begin STEM learning early with step-by-step instructions. Create your own robotic playmate.

You can find these at Walmart and Aaron Brothers!

Key Features

Build your bot with 20+ pieces and the easy click and create system
Instructions are included with learning features
Build certificate and full sheet of stickers included

My Take on the Colorific Build a Bot

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With the Jimu Robot BuilderBots Kit – build, program and code two robots

September 12, 2017 by dadofdivas 2 Comments

The Jimu Robot BuilderBots Kit is an interactive robotic building block system for kids and comes with everything they need to easily build, program and code two robots: GrabberBot and DigBot, or invent their own robot creation. Both robots run on treads while an infrared sensor allows them to detect objects to pick up or move around. Additionally, LED lights allow the robots to move in the dark and express emotions.

The Jimu Robots BuilderBots Kit serves as an entry point for kids to learn about robotics and how to code, outfitting them with the tools necessary to learn and/or maintain STEM skills that will propel them into their academic and life goals.

With STEM knowledge becoming more important than ever, UBTECH is combining education and entertainment to build and stimulate interest in STEM learning with its’ Jimu Robots BuilderBots Kit and other kits.

My Take on the Jimu Robot BuilderBots Kit

We were excited to build this kit. You might remember that we built a Jimu robot in the past and we had a blast doing this, but even more fun was programming our Robot and teaching my daughters how to do this. This is the magic of Jimu, as it not only allows you to build cool things but it allows you to learn while doing it as well!

In this kit you can build one of two robots, a Grabberbot or a DigBot. The kit is made for ages 8 and up, though I think someone a little younger might be able to help while you build it with them. This kit is a little different as it comes with an Infrared sensor, which is ultra cool! The kit has over 357 parts though not all of the parts are used on one robot. However, you do have a lot of parts that would allow you to make your own robot too.

Like our last kit, this kit also makes you use the Jimu app that will make you choose what robot you are building so you can eventually control that robot. The instructions that you get through the app are very easy to follow and I love that you can control the parts through your phone or tablet to get different views of the parts as this allows you to see how the parts will intersect with the unit in different angles. As you are building you are also learning about how the servos will control your robot.

It takes about 30-45 minutes to build depending your skill. We built the Grabberbot and after we got everything built this allows you to do some very cool things, moving the Jimu Grabberbot was easy and filled with fun sound effects this Grabberbot can actually grab and control lighter objects too.

As I said in my first review, I was very impressed with the Jimu Grabberbot and I know that you will be also. This is a kit that continues to entertain and we definitely learned in the process as well. I highly encourage you to pick up this great kit today for your own family!

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Creation Crate – Summer Learning Made Fun

July 19, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About Creation Crate

Know a parent that is still trying to figure out how to keep their children’s brains engaged over the summer? Look no further. My name is Chris Gatbonton, Founder & CEO of Creation Crate, a subscription box service aimed at ages 12 and up, that helps kids learn to build real-world electronics.

The Creation Crate curriculum focuses on introducing new concepts every month that build on the concepts learned from the months before. The projects are designed to increase in difficulty each month in order to be fluent in the language of technology by the end of the 24 month curriculum. Projects range from building a mood lamp, to a memory game focused on programming, to learning how to input a distance reading from an ultrasonic sensor.

Unlike other technology subscription boxes, Creation Crate uses raw electronic components, offering real-world skills. These boxes are also truly beginner friendly with no previous experience needed. While other boxes teach using intimidating technical lingo, Creation Crate doesn’t. Creation Crate subscriptions start at $30 a month, with available 3, 6 or 12 month packages to choose from.

My Take on Creation Crate

As a father I want my children to be able to learn in new and creative ways. Especially as a father of daughters I am extremely sensitive to the lack of opportunities four girls in science, math and Technology fields. Lately I have been seeing a number of new kits that are available that will engage kids in maker activities. These kids are definitely ones that I am very interested in to be able to engage my kids in stem type activities to broaden their perspectives on science, math and Technology as well. I was just recently sent one of these Creation Crate kits and this monthly kit is one that is sent to you and you can work with your child to be able to build some amazing things.

The Creation Crate kits that was sent to me was for creating a mood lamp. I really needed two of the kits, as my kids were fighting over who got to build the mood lamp. I loved seeing my kids fighting over this because it showed me that what I was doing with them with making a difference. While I know that I cannot always have these opportunities to expand their horizons with kids like these, having a monthly kit he is definitely something that it’s exciting and fun at the same time. Best of all is that each month is different and you get to try many different things.

The instructions in the Creation Crate kit are very self-explanatory and for the most part my girls could do the kids by themselves. I definitely wanted to do this with them so they did not have to do it alone, however, it is nice that they could if they so chose. If you want to expand your own kids’ horizons in science, math and Technology this kid is definitely one that I would highly recommend.

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Ubtech Jimu Buzzbot and Muttbot Kit Promotes STEM Learning

June 16, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Ubtech Jimu Buzzbot and Muttbot Kit Promotes STEM Learning

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and STEM products encourage kids to develop core skills in these areas. Best Buy carries products from basic learning games to advanced toys designed to stimulate a child’s mind in the STEM areas, helping to develop logic and problem solving skills.

One of the cool new STEM products that I recently found at Best Buy was the Ubtech Jimu Buzzbot and Muttbot kit. With this cool Ubtech Jimu Buzzbot and Muttbot kit you can create a custom-built robot that has moving arms and legs. Choose from preprogrammed movements in the Jimu Robot App, or generate unique settings with the PRP function. This UBTech Jimu Robot Buzzbot and Muttbot kit includes 271 interlocking parts and is designed for children ages 8 and older.

My daughter and I created this robot together and found the following about it:

Once you have the app set up on your phone or tablet it will walk you through the instructions for building either the Buzzbot or Muttbot
The instructions are very detailed and the app allows you to manipulate the pieces on your device by rotating them, making them larger or smaller and this really helps you to better understand what goes where.
This states that it is for ages 8 and up, however, I would say that an eight year old would need a lot of adult supervision. Even my 13 year old needed some!
As you get through the steps of creating this, you will probably find that your device needs to be charged. I would recommend charging the battery before you get to this point as the battery is a part of the head of the Buzzbot so it is the last thing that you actually create.
Once you have created the Buzzbot you can then connect it to your device and then control your creation through either pre-made moves, or you can create your own which encourages you to play with programming of the different servos that you have working.

This was a project that was a ton of fun and offers a ton of learning potential too. You also can change up what you have created to the other creation too, so many hours of fun can definitely be had in the end!

I highly encourage all to pick up a UBTech Jimu Robot Buzzbot/Muttbot for yourself!

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Dads in the Limelight – Matt Suna of Teach Kids Engineering

April 9, 2017 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Our 768th Dad in the Limelight is Matt Suna of Teach Kids Engineering. I want to thank Matt Suna for being a part of this series. It has been great getting connected with him and now sharing Matt Suna with all of you.

1) Tell me about yourself, (as well as how you are in the limelight for my readers knowledge)

I am an electrical engineer and the father to 4 extraordinary homeschooled kids. I love to do fun engineering projects with our kids. A few years ago, we did a family presentation at our local homeschool coop that ended with my daughter racing a robot to solve a Rubik’s cube. When I saw the excitement from the kids in the audience and started getting requests from other parents about me teaching an engineering class for our homeschool coop, we saw how big the need is for STEM education resources. Since then we’ve started Teach Kids Engineering, where we post new engineering projects and resources that parents and teachers can use.

2) Tell me about your family

I have been married to my amazing wife and best friend Kristen for 15 years. We have 4 kids ages 6 to 13 and a 2 year old borador – a brilliant high-energy dog for our high-energy family. Our 6 year old is from Ethiopia and came home with us when she was only 4 months old. She has more personality and confidence than any child I know and keeps her siblings on their toes.

3) What has been the largest challenge you have had in being a father?

I think the biggest challenge is having only a finite amount of time during the day. There is nothing better you can give your kids than your time and full attention. However, there are many other things in life that compete with these things. I have learned to say no to less important things and to protect my time better so that I have more to spend with our kids during this short time we have with them. A few years ago I had a very exciting job role where I was travelling the world and working on the newest, coolest products. But ultimately, I made the decision to transition to a job that was less exciting but it allowed me to be home most of the time and to be fully present with my family.

4) What advice would you give to other fathers?

The world teaches us to pour ourselves into work now so we can enjoy life later. Don’t fall for this. Your kids grow up so fast and they are only with you for a short time. Arrange your life so that you can spend time with them when they are young. Live well within your means so you don’t need to chase the next career opportunity so hard.

5) How have you come to balance parenthood and outside life?

I try to involve the kids in my “outside life.” I love running, but I have scaled back my mileage and pace so I can run with my kids. (Someday I’ll be trying to keep up with them). Whenever I am working on the car or house, I ask one or two of the kids to help. I sometimes bring one of the kids to work with me since homeschooling gives us so much flexibility.

My wife and I also participate in men’s and women’s groups at our church. This gives me a chance to spend time with other fathers to get encouragement and recharge.

6) What have you learned from the fathers that you have interacted with?

I’m always deeply moved when I hear the love and affection other fathers have for their kids. I try to be a good father, but it always helps to get inspiration from other dads. You can always get new ideas. A family that is very close to ours takes each of their kids on a special trip of their own when they turn 13. This sounds like such a cool idea to us, that my wife and are thinking about this for our kids.

7) What else would you share regarding your experiences as a father thus far?

Since I write about ways to engage your kids in engineering, I’ll share a couple of secrets of teaching your kids something new. First, inspiration is magic. When I want to do a new project with the kids, first I get them to watch some amazing Youtube videos with me to get them excited. Working with kids who are inspired is so much easier than trying to convince them that something is worthwhile and interesting.

Second, get them hooked by going for a small victory quickly. Engineering projects usually have moments where things are not going as planned and it takes time to work through the problems. If you do a much smaller project with very few obstacles, it will help them to taste success early. Then once they’re hooked, go big!

8.What have been the most memorable experiences that you have had thus far as a parent?

It seems like the most lasting memories are from family vacations. These stick with us and the kids because they are vivid memories outside of our normal everyday experiences as a family. We’ve been blessed to have so many great family vacations – yearly visits to see my wife’s family in Maryland and Virginia, trips to our favorite summer camp in upstate New York, family vacations to our favorite Texas beach town. One of our kids’ favorite vacations was a trip to Colorado one summer with two other families. There were 11 kids there! A little overwhelming as a parent, but a blast for the kids.

If you have any questions for Matt Suna, please leave a comment here and I will make sure that he gets them so that he may be able to respond!

Also, do you know a Dad in the Limelight? If so, please email me their contact information so that they too can be a part of this series!

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Play-Well Promotes STEM Education And More!

July 4, 2016 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

At the Dad 2.0 conference I was introduced to Play-Well, a great organization that is all about science and math STEM education. Just like you see in the bow-tie that I am wearing here Play-well offers great LEGO camps, classes and parties all over the country to encourage kids and adults alike to explore and appreciate science and math!

The History of Play-Well TEKnologies

Play-Well TEKnologies was founded by Tim Bowen in 1997. Introduced to the LEGO® building system in 1996 and recognizing it to be both a popular play medium and a tremendous learning medium, Tim began to develop projects which drew on his professional experience and combined the elements of fun, challenge, and learning. He began operating a summer camp program in 1997, followed by after school enrichment classes in 1998. With steady growth of the company, project development is now undertaken by a staff of instructors bent on constantly improving the programs.

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