Adafruit has a ton of great resources for young engineers. From kits to learn guides, Adafruit has you covered.
Check out these Kits and Projects that make excellent tools you can use for your next school project:
Circuit Playground Express – Base Kit
It’s the Circuit Playground Express Base Kit! It provides the few things you’ll need to get started with the new Circuit Playground Express. This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will work with Microsoft MakeCode, CircuitPython, code.org CS Discoveries or Arduino IDE.
Start your journey with Microsoft MakeCode block-based or Javascript programming. Then, you can use the same board to try CircuitPython, with the Python interpreter running right on the Express. As you progress, you can advance to using Arduino IDE, which has full support of all the hardware down to the low level, so you can make powerful projects.You can even use code.org CS Discoveries to learn all about coding right in your browser!
Cartoon Network MakeCode: Garnet’s Gauntlets from Steven Universe
You can build your own set of Garnet’s Gauntlets and power up for battle! Punch with your Circuit Playground Express enabled fist to get a light and sound reaction!
With MakeCode, you can program the Circuit Playground Express to do exactly what you want using the drag-and-drop, block-based interface right inside your web browser.
What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That’s right, it’s the Adafruit PyGamer! We wanted to make an entry-level gaming handheld for DIY gaming, and maybe a little retro-emulation. It’s not the fastest and best of everything, but it is an all-in-one dev board with a lot of possibilities!
Here’s a pack of parts for all the parts you need to get started, even a lovely storage case. Now you’ve got no excuse for not digging in. Makes for a great workshop pack, hackerspace kit, or gift.
Cartoon Network and Make Code – Rose Quartz Shield Umbrella
Make a light-up umbrella inspired by Rose Quartz’s shield, from Steven Universe on Cartoon Network. This is a fun, easy project that doesn’t require any previous knowledge of coding, soldering, or sewing. You can customize the light animations and input triggers with a few clicks. Shield yourself from the rain and dazzle all your friends!
It’s also easy to take this project apart when the rainy season is over, and use your Circuit Playground and NeoPixels again for another fun project.
August is Back to School Month here at Adafruit! Each week we’ll be bringing you a #BackToSchool content on the site! Stay tuned for product and gift guides, tutorials from the Adafruit Learning System, and inspiration from around the web! Get started by checking out Adafruit’s educational resources, such as our kits and project packs, suggested products for young engineers, blog posts for educators and an extensive selection of books to help you learn!
