It definitely feels like the right timing to share this long-awaited announcement. We'll finally be bringing littleBits onto onlinelabseries. For months, I have been working on finding a way to bring their products to this learning platform because I believed very deeply in what the company is doing and where they are heading. But more than just the brand, I see a lot of potential in what their products can do, and what they can enable.
I was first introduced to the brand back in 2015 when I volunteered for a stem workshop here in Singapore. I was new to it so I didn't ask for a salary or pay, I merely wanted to check it out and find out what all the buzz that people have about it was. True enough, I fell in love with their products straight away.
First...I would like to Introduce Tinkercademy
So last night, I officially received my first ever personally own product kit from Tinkercademy. Tinkercademy is a locally based education and technology company founded by a team of amazing folks. And over the last few weeks, I've also had the privilege of communicating with a few of them via our email correspondence which eventually led to making this brand partnership possible. So, here's a shoutout to the team at Tinkercademy, thank you so much for agreeing to this.
If you like to know more about them as well as their upcoming workshops and events, be sure to check out the links below for more information:
They have also till date engaged with over 160 preschools around Singapore, as well as reached more than 3000 students through the Code@SG movement.
Personally, I have even expressed my own interests of wanting to become a part-time workshop instructor with them as well. I believe it will help me to generating some income to sustain myself why I continue pursuing this passion of mine, while at the same time, I will also get to interact with more youths and children in the process.
Next Up...littleBits
How can I share this update without giving due credits and mention to the brand behind this amazing set of products! So here it goes.
littleBits was founded in 2011 by this amazing lady...Ayah Bdeir. As a technologist, I follow her posts and updates both on social media and tech news. I must say that I have a lot of respect for everything she has built so far. I really must applaud her for her vision and what she is trying to achieve (has already achieved this far).
And I loved their Core Values. I always believe it as a technologist that if you really want to consider working with any brand or business, study their values. Find out what principles their brand is built upon.
I always believe it as a technologist that if you really want to consider working with any brand or business, study their values.
Another very important thing that I do as the creator and founder of onlinelabseries is to study different brands out there. I don't just partner with any brand, in fact, I usually would take quite awhile to vet a brand before actually agreeing to the partnership with them. If I don't think that the brand can convince me that they will continue to be relevant and promising in the near future [or for the foreseeable future], I will not partner with them as well.
But with littleBits, I have to say that they really are promising and they definitely have the potential to be even more than what they are right now. I guess I'm always a "half-empty cup" kind of person, I always believe there is more that we can achieve and do until we really reach our maximum potential. Truth is, nobody really knows exactly what their fullest potential will be either.
With littleBits though, I am honestly not worried about their future.
You can check out their website to know more about the brand as well as the products that they currently have: https://littlebits.com/
Why I Do What I Do (littleBits Edition)
As you might've watched that short 1 minute video above, one of the reasons why I really love littleBits so much is because of the way that their products have been designed. The only best way I can describe it is "children-friendly".
When you design a product and make it children-friendly, it opens up an entire world of possibilities. Once something that only engineers or adults have the confidence to meddle with, now children can also do the same minus all of the potential hazards that comes with the activity.
Once something that only engineers or adults have the confidence to meddle with, now children can also do the same minus all of the potential hazards that comes with the activity.
Ever since I was a child, I have always been taking my toys apart. While other children are busy showing off their remote control toy cars, I was unscrewing mine and showing off what is underneath the hood. Truth be told, I have always been considered the weird kid on the block or in school. But my love for understanding "how things work" in general, that curiosity that I have is what makes me the engineer that I am today. I've learned some very important lessons growing up as well. And the lesson stays true even for adults.
that curiosity that I have is what makes me the engineer that I am today
Lesson:
"Never be afraid or feel discouraged when someone tells you that your ideas or dreams are crazy. People often used to tell me that too. Well, I made the mistake of believing that they are right. But let me also tell you one thing, there are no crazy ideas, there are no dumb ideas. Let your creativity flow out of you and never be afraid to explore, to think outside the box. Always feed that curiosity. Ask questions. Try new things. I get to do the things that I am doing today not because I followed what everyone has told me, but is because I didn't. Sometimes, you have to learn to listen to your heart. Follow your passions. And you will discover your purpose in life."
My Hopes and Wish
Here's what my hopes and wishes are where stem education is concerned. I want to continue using these amazing creations, these products (kits) to help spread the message that you can, and you should never be afraid to follow your passions in life. I believe that this message has to be heard in the most formative years of a child, or even in the adolescence stage, at a time when their imaginations and creativity is running wild.
Frankly, growing up, I never had that environment. And yes, sometimes I would admit that I envy it when I see parents actually being so willing to invest and support their children's passions and encouraging them to explore those passions. I never had that.
But through STEM education, I would have the most direct opportunity to help parents understand the creativity of their children. Not only do I want to help those children and youths understand the potential of their creativity, I also want to help them build on it, become better at it.
Not only do I want to help those children and youths understand the potential of their creativity, I also want to help them build on it, become better at it.
More Than Just Showcasing Project Ideas
In the coming weeks and months, I hope to be able to kick off an online stem course that focuses entirely on littleBits. Think of it like a virtual lab where you can come and watch and get new ideas for potential projects that you like to build in your own home. In my vision and in my mind, this is what I see myself doing:
With more product support and sponsorship, and more access to the wide range of sensors/blocks/parts & kits, I will be able to not only think of creative, perhaps a little crazy, but potentially innovative and fun ideas that children can build at home, or even makers like myself. (Hint: Ofcourse, without the shortage of parts)
But more than just showcasing project ideas, I am going to also share helpful tips, advice, and professional suggestions as an engineer and maker, so even though you might actually be 6 or 8 years old when watching that video, you are going to be able to create some really amazing prototypes for your age.
Before I sign off, I just want to leave you with that quote as a gift from me to you.
Comments