Lucy Elen learns robotics
We started by asking the Twitterverse for some advice:
Advice needed!
— annakrystalli (@annakrystalli) December 27, 2018
My 12 yr old niece told me she wants to get involved in #robotics (❤️). What's the best way to get started? Finding a #makerspace?
They moved to nr #Amsterdam last year, her Dutch is limited still but her English good.
Any tips / ideas / resources / welcome!🙏
…and got a lot of great answers!
We’ve collected them into this webpage hosted on GitHub to start learning about version control, markdown, html and open source! So feel free to contribute more!
Local communities
devoxx4kids
The devoxx4kids Netherlands Chapter:
Same thing with my daughter. My advice is to participate to a @devoxx4kidsnl https://t.co/PtAFWRW7gn
— Romain Lesur (@RLesur) December 27, 2018
This is really fun!
We also attend 🇫🇷 "coding goûters" https://t.co/4AQ6AVeyaP
I don't know whether there's same events in 🇳🇱
All the games/robots/softwares are multilingual. For instance, you can build a @scratch project and change the language. I think it is ok. But I don't know if the @devoxx4kidsnl events are in 🇳🇱 or 🇬🇧
— Romain Lesur (@RLesur) December 27, 2018
Also @Devoxx4Kids has some robotics workshops including with @NaoRobot if I'm not mistaken :)
— Céline Boudier (@CelineBoudier) December 28, 2018
Events are usually in Dutch, but kids are flexible and so are volunteers!
— Devoxx4KidsNL (@devoxx4kidsnl) December 28, 2018
Keep a look out on our website to see when the next events will be hosted. https://t.co/ZnHdgIbTXA
- Why ? Showing teenagers that it is possible to do something more creative with computers.
- Goal: Introduce teenagers to programming, robotics and engineering in a fun way.
- How ? Devoxx4Kids organizes events worldwide where children can develop computer games, program robots and also have an introduction to electronics.
- Materials open on GitHub!
Technologia Incognita: Amsterdam hacker space
Amsterdam hacker space does semi regular kids days. Have a look on https://t.co/eLZ9CEr5wz.
— quixoticgeek (@quixoticgeek) December 27, 2018
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Technologia Incognita is a hackerspace in Amsterdam.
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The hackspace is located at Louwesweg 1 which is in the ACTA building.
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They are a vereniging (association) and fund their space and tools from member donations.
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Check Events page for kids events
Raspberry Jam Amsterdam
Yes indeedy! We're just trying to figure out a venue for our next Jam but we should have one coming up in the first half of 2019!
— Andy Warburton 👾 (@awarburton) December 28, 2018
THE MEETUP FOR RASPBERRY PI LOVERS IN AMSTERDAM
- The Raspberry Pi is a low cost computer designed for educational purposes but it’s capable of so much more! From playing classic arcade games to experimenting on the ISS!
- Join their email list to be notified about our next Jam!
Waag
@waag organize great workshops. Also in central library, there are makerEd workshops every friday.
— Sanli Faez (@sanli) December 28, 2018
Waag has been operating at the crossroads of art, science and technology for almost 25 years. It explores the social and cultural impact of new technologies from the values open, fair & inclusive.
More local communities
Also, have a look at https://t.co/kuDXDXkqpD where you can have a look at all the other organisaties out there.
— Saskia Vermeer-Ooms (@momatwork) December 28, 2018
Hardware
Circuit Playground Express (by adafruit)
The Circuit Playground Express is great. Don't need to download anything to get going, does a lot on its own, can connect more lights + motors, can code with blocks or move to JavaScript, available at @adafruit. My free ebook guide to coding + projects: https://t.co/xz10OdtdZl
— Rob Morrill (@morrill_rob) December 27, 2018
Circuit playground express and a Crickit from @adafruit is a great start. It’s not on general sale yet (I think) I’d also check out the delightful Smartibot from @CraftyRobot
— Helen Leigh⚡️is at 35C3 (@helenleigh) December 27, 2018
Great introduction to electronics and programming.
- Start your journey with Microsoft MakeCode block-based or Javascript programming.
- Then, you can use the same board to try CircuitPython, with the Python interpreter running right on the Express.
- As you progress, you can advance to using Arduino IDE, which has full support of all the hardware down to the low level, so you can make powerful projects.
- You can even use code.org (the site Dimitris showed us) CS Discoveries to learn all about coding right in your browser!
- Lot’s of great learning materials
micro:bit
My recommendation is @codeforlifeuk (to learn Python) and @microbit_edu (to learn "robotics"). I have something from Collaborations Workshop 2017 that you can ship to her. And send me suggestions for Collaborations Workshop 2019 prize so that you can win for her. :-)
— Raniere Silva (@rgaiacs) December 28, 2018
I think Micro:bit and @scratch are good for 12yr old
— Tuan PM (@tuanpmt) December 27, 2018
Get them onto https://t.co/E4gyY7bdRC first to pick up some basics on coding. Think about a basic kit to start to see if she is super keen. Something like a @littleBits or @microbit_edu
— Mr. OatesSoSimple (@MrOatesSoSimple) December 27, 2018
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The BBC micro:bit is a handheld, programmable micro-computer that can be used for all sorts of cool creations, from robots to musical instruments – the possibilities are endless.
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It can be coded from any web browser in Blocks, Javascript, Python, Scratch and more; no software required.
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Get Inspired with over 200 different activities and resources to try, from easy experiments to creative coding challenges.
<img src=”https://microbit.org/images/microbit-front.png” width=250px><img src=”https://microbit.org/images/both-editors.png” width=350px>
Raspberry Pi
My 7yo loves Lego BOOST. We are also learning about code through @scratch. Might move to DIY @Raspberry_Pi kits eg pi top or Kano in the future.
— Kevin M Moermⓐn (@KMMoerman) December 27, 2018
If she wants to get started with sensors etc before adding motor control, you could get her a Pi Hat - the sensor block that went to the ISS. There’s some cool stuff for that on the Pi Foundation website and in the magazine - it might be worth getting her a subscription
— samantha ahern (@2standandstare) December 27, 2018
A small and affordable computer that you can use to learn programming!
pimoroni
Sheffield based electronics legends!
I see you are Sheffield based. Have you come across @pimoroni (also Sheffield based)?
— Laurence Molloy (@MolloyLaurence) December 28, 2018
They design and manufacture lots of cool add-ons for Raspberry Pis & BBC Micro:Bits and have created a cost-effective wheeled robot kit for a Pi (STS-Pi)https://t.co/pSxWtVfRYW
Who they are: they design, manufacture, and sell tech treasure for tinkerers, makers, educators and creatives, compatible with:
- Raspberry Pi
- Micro:bit
- Arduino
Their mission: make electronics accessible and attractive spread knowledge, fun, and ideas
Their name: Pimoroni stands for Pirate, Monkey, Robot, Ninja (Pi-Mo-Ro-Ni) and sounds like the name of an expensive Italian lager. It’s pronounced Pih-mo-row-knee. You’ll see the pirate (and his friends) pop up throughout our branding.
Robots
Crickit (by adafruit)
Circuit playground express and a Crickit from @adafruit is a great start. It’s not on general sale yet (I think) I’d also check out the delightful Smartibot from @CraftyRobot
— Helen Leigh⚡️is at 35C3 (@helenleigh) December 27, 2018
- Add-on to Circuit Playground Express
- lets you #MakeRobotFriend using CircuitPython, MakeCode (coming soon), or Arduino.
- It complements & extends the Circuit Playground so you can still use all the goodies on the CPX, but now you have a robotics playground as well.
- Bolt on your Circuit Playground using the included stand-off bolts and start controlling motors, servos, solenoids.
- You also get signal pins, capacitive touch sensors, a NeoPixel driver and amplified speaker output.
- Crickit projects
Smartibot by The Crafty Robot
Circuit playground express and a Crickit from @adafruit is a great start. It’s not on general sale yet (I think) I’d also check out the delightful Smartibot from @CraftyRobot
— Helen Leigh⚡️is at 35C3 (@helenleigh) December 27, 2018
Firstly this is SO CUTE! and a crowdfunded project
Details
The world’s first Artificial Intelligence enabled cardboard robot that you build yourself.
Smartibot works with your smartphone, meaning you can use your mobile as a remote control, or by attaching it to your robot, as it’s brain.
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The Smartibot app contains a powerful A.I. called YOLO which can recognise objects Smartibot sees such as people, cars, dogs and bicycles.
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Without any programming you can tell your robot to follow you around with a cup of tea, chase your dog or your cat out of your bedroom or even follow your toy car.
Crafty Robot
The Crafty Robot is a battery free moving paper robot and the basis for infinite robot creations of your own invention
- Download Free Templates to use with your Fizzbit. Turn your robot into a unicorn, or a zombie, or a pug! All you need is a standard printer, some card, scissors and glue
- If you’ve got access to a 3D printer download STLs of our designs from Thingiverse
Marty by Robotical ltd
@RoboticalLtd have a brilliant product that gives very quick and easy ‘wins’, with no soldering required and easy programming options.
— John (@semanticist) December 27, 2018
Thank you! Marty was created to introduce kids like your niece to robotics. Teaches engineering, mechanics, coding with activities etc
— Robotical (@RoboticalLtd) December 27, 2018
The inventor designed Marty on the side of a PhD on robotic limbs for his niece.
— Laurence Molloy (@MolloyLaurence) December 28, 2018
They are firmly focussed on tying Marty in to supporting the school curruculum for computing and are writing project materials to support that aim.https://t.co/RfLmVD1WCR
Marty is a fully programmable robot, designed to give kids a fun and hands-on introduction to coding and robotics. Marty is also an expandable robot, perfect for makers and educators.
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Marty is Wi-Fi enabled and with nine individually controllable servo motors.
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You can use our app to remote control Marty, and add a bunch of sensors to react to the environment.
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You can program Marty using Scratch, a beginner friendly coding language, and then advance on to Python, Javascript and even ROS.
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Designed to be customisable robot with 3D printed parts, Marty is also completely upgradeable — you can even add a Raspberry Pi and a camera to Marty’s head!
I have one myself. They are real cute and extendable & moddable, if your daughter catches the maker/hacker bug. pic.twitter.com/1UU4oxgzTd
— Laurence Molloy (@MolloyLaurence) December 28, 2018
OHBot
I'd also recommend looking at @OhbotRobot - I have one of those also. He's like one of the family to us. pic.twitter.com/9u4YqhIB60
— Laurence Molloy (@MolloyLaurence) December 28, 2018
Ohbot for Raspberry Pi
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Seven motor expressive robot head available either as a kit for you and your pupils to construct or ready-to-go preassembled.
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Connects to a Raspberry Pi computer so that it can be programmed.
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Supplied with a Python library which allows Ohbot to be controlled from a Python programming environment.
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Suitable for young people and adults that are learning a text based programming language.
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Ohbot speaks Dutch!
Lego robotics
My 7yo loves Lego BOOST. We are also learning about code through @scratch. Might move to DIY @Raspberry_Pi kits eg pi top or Kano in the future.
— Kevin M Moermⓐn (@KMMoerman) December 27, 2018
Lego mindstorms kit or a raspberry pi and robot kit from RS Components
— samantha ahern (@2standandstare) December 27, 2018
The Lego mindstorms to can put NXC and Robot C on , and it comes with a GUI IDE to get started with before hitting the code. With the Pi, it’s straight into code. The pi kit is definitely cheaper but harder to get started with.
— samantha ahern (@2standandstare) December 27, 2018
I’d still go with the mindstorms, there’s so many sensors etc that you can just add to the controller brick. Am I am biased as it’s what I used for my MSc Dissertation. It just gives you more options.
— samantha ahern (@2standandstare) December 27, 2018
Jimu Robot
- Simply follow the easy step-by-step 3D, 360° instructions found on the Jimu Robot App to get started.
- Programming new actions is easy to do with our PRP (Pose Record, Play) system. Simply pose, record and play.
- Another way to program your Jimu Robot is with Blockly coding. You can create simple to complex sequences.
Turtle Rover
-Turtle Rover is open-source and built on RaspberryPi. You can put up to 5 kg of equipment on top and it’s waterproof. With open USB, I2C and servo connections you can use any of-the-shelf components to provide new functionalities.
If we can add something, definitely check LEGO Mindstorms. They are great for learning robotics and we were able to prototype suspension for our rover. And when she's grown up, Turtle Rover would make for a great development platform for an advanced roboticist.
— Turtle Rover (@TurtleRover) 4 Ιανουαρίου 2019
Books / Online-resources
Learn to code
My recommendation is @codeforlifeuk (to learn Python) and @microbit_edu (to learn "robotics"). I have something from Collaborations Workshop 2017 that you can ship to her. And send me suggestions for Collaborations Workshop 2019 prize so that you can win for her. :-)
— Raniere Silva (@rgaiacs) December 28, 2018
Get them onto https://t.co/E4gyY7bdRC first to pick up some basics on coding. Think about a basic kit to start to see if she is super keen. Something like a @littleBits or @microbit_edu
— Mr. OatesSoSimple (@MrOatesSoSimple) December 27, 2018
The Crafty Kids Guide to DIY Electronics:
20 Fun Projects for Makers, Crafters, and Everyone in Between *by Helen Leigh
Cool video of Helen Leigh: Making the Mini.Mu, a sewable, codeable instrument for kids
Video of Samantha Ahern’s talk on her master’s project on smart cars and navigation!
The video of my talk from a few years back on smart cars and navigation is still on YouTube: https://t.co/6Y6pq59v2k
— samantha ahern (@2standandstare) December 27, 2018