I've been a huge fan of Mark Rober's Crunch Labs kits from the time that they launched. Unfortunately, due in part to some shitty parenting, I also have like five of the kids kits not yet built. I have two more of the adult ones from the six-kit yearly Hack Pack subscription that I haven't built yet. The problem is that you build them, and they make what is essentially a toy or display piece in the case of the grown up version, but then what do you do with it?
The Hack Pack bits include Arduino computers and servos and sensors and stuff, so I can see how throwing away the parts around them is useful, even if I'm not sure how I might ever use them. The kids' Build Box stuff is not as obvious. They kind of just take up space. I'm sure that if I disappeared them that Simon wouldn't notice, but still.
Regardless, the science learning is pretty great. That's why I haven't just handed the Build Boxes to Simon. I want to sit with him and watch the accompanying video, and talk about the physics or engineering, and he tends to get it, because I ask him questions. The Hack Packs, I now have a better understanding of the intersection between code and physical parts, even if the electronics aren't entirely obvious. It's really great stuff.
I think that one of the most useful outcomes for me personally would be to get deep into 3D printing, because I can think of fun things to do with the electronics. I subscribed to Vectorworks, a CAD app that is in part used for lighting design, around Thanksgiving, but I haven't been able to commit to really learning it. It would be valuable because it would translate well into 3D printing. I could design anything in my head and make it a real object. That would be awesome.
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