PicoCrickets
are designed for use by children, teens, and adults in a
wide variety of settings.
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Families
PicoCrickets expand the creative possibilities of your
home computer. Because they can be used in so many
different types of projects, PicoCrickets appeal to children of
all interests, ages, and abilities. While one child might use a
PicoCricket to build an interactive dream house, another
might use it to create a new musical instrument.
PicoCrickets are designed especially
for ages 8 and up. But with help from
a parent, younger kids can enjoy PicoCricket
activities too.
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Museums
PicoCrickets
extend the hands-on tradition of science museums, making
possible a new generation of hands-on activities that
mix physical materials with digital technology.
The
Playful Invention
and Exploration (PIE) Network of
museums has been actively involved in the development
and testing of new activities for PicoCrickets. The
Exploratorium, Science
Museum of Minnesota, and CAMP (in Japan) have been among the leaders in developing
new types of PicoCricket
workshops. |
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After-school
programs
PicoCrickets
can add a new dimension to after-school programs — adding
interactivity to traditional arts-and-crafts activities,
or adding a creative twist to computer
and robotics activities
Some
after-school centers are organizing PicoCricket Craft Exhibitions,
providing kids an opportunity to show off their PicoCricket
creations. These exhibitions represent a creative alternative
to robotics competitions: they appeal to different
kids, but offer similar learning experiences.
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Schools
PicoCricket activities are appropriate for students of
all ages, from elementary school through college. And
they can fit into many different classes: science,
technology, art, computer science.
As
students work on PicoCricket projects, they improve
their problem-solving abilities and gain a better understanding
of the process of design and invention. At the same
time, they can learn important concepts in mathematics
(such as variables and functions), science (such as
resistance and circuits), and engineering (such as
programming and sensing).
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Not
just for kids
PicoCrickets
are great as a prototyping tool for adults who love
to design, create, and tinker. Artists and designers
can create kinetic sculptures and other interactive
projects, without any previous engineering experience.
If
you wish you had PicoCrickets when you were a kid,
it’s not too late!
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