I recently had the opportunity to speak with a littleBits rep at The Last Jedi global press conference in Los Angeles and was incredibly impressed with what she had to say. The company feels, and I agree, that we're living in an age of technical marvels - but very few people, myself included, actually know how any of this amazing technology works. Fewer people are venturing into the tech industry and even fewer of that number are young women. littleBits aims to inspire young girls and boys to not only understand why devices work but to build their own in a creative and artistic manner.
And, after all, isn't that what
Star Wars has always been about? The Original Trilogy inspired thousands of people to pursue careers in technology, science, space exploration, art, engineering and a myriad other careers. littleBits looks to help do that again for a whole new generation living in the greatest technological age we've experienced. Think of the building innovation of LEGO merged with open-source electronic modules made in the form of lights, sounds, motors and sensors that all snap together with magnets. By combining these elements, burgeoning engineers can create larger circuits and their own fun electronics. All while figuring out the how and why of it. It's pretty innovative stuff and in a world where technology, electronics and circuits are only going to further dictate our future day-to-day interactions and lifestyles, I think the sooner we can gets kids engaged with these things, the better prepared they'll be for living in that future.
Check out the littleBits
website and some of their videos. I think you'll be impressed as well. Given all that, $99.95 seems like a pretty small price to pay for an investment in the greater knowledge and understanding of the next generation of kids.
