Quote:This is one thing that you and I definitely agree on.  Something like this not only recognizes the kid's ability, it also could inspire other kids to open their minds, use some creativity and build their own project.

 

I would recommend people to look up Arduino and Raspberry Pi.  Both are Open Source projects created to teach.  What is it teaching?  21'st Century skills.  I would bet that this kid probably owns at least one of those devices, and if he doesn't, I would send him one.

 

I actually built my own clock using one of those devices as a base, but went further to use GPS to get the time and and a temp/humidity sensor to get actual data and displayed it a bit differently.  While I was doing so, I turned to forums to get help, and a number of times I got help with correcting my software code from kids just like this one.

Well... someone did say the world was going to end in September!


People keep thinking this was a briefcase sized thing (How did he fit it in his backpack?).  It's the size of a pencil box (a pencil box was used as a case in fact I believe).

 

Students should be encouraged for this sort of thing.  Taking things apart, and learning how they work is a good way to learn.  I know my wife has a student in one of her classes who loves doing that sort of thing, and even though my wife knows absolutely nothing about most electronics she's always up to listening to her student talk to her about it.  Students need encouragement, especially when they don't get it from home.  But even when they do, getting input from a teacher on a project, or even advice is a great help.  I know growing up I had teachers who encouraged me.  One thing our teachers need to be doing is encouraging kids.  It's not always easy, because class sizes are getting outrageous.  

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