(Left) LightUp learning app. Helps users build complicated circuits. (Right) LightUp is bringing Arduino in tow as well (via LightUp)
Learning about electronics can be an ambiguous process, difficult to visualize and full of questions that are like-wise difficult to explain with words. Teaching youngsters about the almighty electron and different ways humans can manipulate them is essential in this electronic age. A project stemming from research conducted at the Transformative Learning Technologies Lab, at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, has produced an innovative way of teaching about electric circuits, their components and how electrons flow using easy to use, magnetic building blocks to put together circuits and augmented reality smart phone app to visualize these processes and aid in trouble shooting.
The company, called LightUp, is offering many electronic components embedded into easily handled and well-labeled blocks that connect to each other using magnets eliminating need for solder or even wires. Components such as resistors, capacitors, switches, LEDs, motors, microcontrollers, buzzers and light sensors can be combined with blocks that hold batteries to create useful circuits. LightUp is offering an Arduino-compatible microcontroller, along with a programming wand, so that kids can learn how to code using the Arduino IDE as well as Arduino visual-based coding programs.
The Android and iOS LightUp app can analyze pictures of circuits and animate the flowing electricity to help kids visualize the movement of electrons through components as well as diagnose problems with how they are constructed. A Kickstarter has exceeded the initial funding and is now attempting to fund a couple other projects tied to this AR app. The LightUp team want to create a “LightUp Hub” that can be accessed through the app and could be used to share projects and lessons involving the blocks. Further funding will go towards realizing a Light Up Simulator that could help kids learn about engineering schematics and simulation of electronics and signal processing.
Learning with ease (via LightUp)
Different levels of contribution reward different sets of components that can achieve different purposes. Anyone can build with them and learn about electronic frequencies, amplitudes, resistor-capacitor circuits, pulse width modulation, timing, wireless communication, infrared detections and even how to make their own blocks along with exposing them to programming microprocessors in the Arduino. Projects include how to make flashing holiday lights, a temperature activated fan, and a remote control.
Accelerator, HAXLR8R, are giving the LightUp team a prototyping and manufacturing boost to move to production. The startup wants to be delivering Light Up kits to local schools by the end of 2013.
Light Up came to be due to a class taught by Paulo Blikstein called “Beyond bits and atoms” at Stanford. Electrons, after all, are becoming man’s best friend.
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