Hot Bots: How Arduino Teaches Kids the Science behind Modern Gizmos

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Hot Bots: How Arduino Teaches Kids the Science behind Modern Gizmos @ Budding Scientist, Scientific American Blog Network.

But the type of microcontroller that is gaining favor rapidly for creative older children’s projects is known as an “arduino.”  An arduino microcontroller is based on an “open source” (non-commercial, publicly-licensed) design, and many small companies have sprung up recently to fabricate arduinos and related step-by-step project kits and accessories.  Free software for programming arduinos is available for most laptop computers, which then connect to the arduino to download programs. 

For girls who might appreciate a very cool, geeky female role model in this traditionally male domain, check out Lady Ada. Lady Ada (a/k/a Limor Fried) is a recent MIT masters graduate who started her own company selling arduino-related kits with easy-to-follow online instructions.

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