Most will agree that there’s something mesmerizing about space, astronauts, and almost anything NASA-related, but translating the complex science and expensive equipment the organization uses into relatable information is difficult, says Ginger Butcher, head of NASA’s education and outreach Aura Mission ─ or at least it was, until now.
Butcher, who has taught children lessons centering on the fundamental technologies behind NASA’s space ventures since 2004, has often created her own electronics projects to assist in the education process. Realizing her homemade solutions exclude anyone she’s not directly involved with, Butcher sought something more streamlined and marketable.
Inspired by a TED (technology, entertainment, and design) talk hosted by Ayah Bdeir, CEO and founder of LittleBits, a hardware startup from New York City, Butcher decided to pursue a joint venture with the company. LittleBits designs and sells circuit blocks that snap together with magnets, independent of soldering, wiring, or programming. Blocks are combined to create myriad designs ranging from remote control cars to synthesizers, making them perfect for the NASA projects Butcher had in mind.
Butcher envisioned a LittleBits project fashioned around NASA-inspired blocks; dubbed Space Kit, the kit contains 12 “bit modules” that provide power, remote triggering, light sensing, and motorization. The modules can be used to complete 10 STEM(science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)-related activities, which Butcher designed in collaboration with NASA’s Space Flight Center, including building a miniature Mars Rover or a satellite dish that wirelessly transmits music.
Prior to the use of pre-fab blocks, Butcher was teaching the similar lessons — how to build a rover — using a crude combination of accessories that she soldered together herself. Space Kit transforms playing with electronics into playing with Legos, making electronics feel accessible to everyone. We’ve seen this approach before, but never in the context of technologies with space-related applications.
One project example, the Aura Project, captures images of atmospheric conditions such as holes in the ozone layer and chemical weather patterns, and uses this information to explain how weather conditions are determined on Earth. “Finally with these activities we have a great way to show how we make these measurements, and it’s something hands on,” says Butcher.
The Space Kit debuts on April 25 for $189; it can be picked up here. The kit contains the following modules: one direct current module, two battery modules with snap-in cables, one bright LED, one infrared emitting LED, one remote trigger, one light sensor, two wires, one microphone, one “number,” and one speaker. Batteries, cables, and a 30-page workbook are also included.
Via LittleBits
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