César Martins has created a new Raspberry Pi-powered tablet, designed specifically to help children learn how to code. Equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, the back of the tablet case is also transparent allowing children to see all the inner workings. The tablet has been created with one simple mission in mind; to make the process of learning to code available to all. The MakePad has also been inspired by experience-based learning and the maker culture, explains César. Watch the demonstration video below to learn more about the MakePad Touchscreen tablet designed to help kids code.
Inside the tablet is a 10.1-inch touch display, battery module, speaker module and a Raspberry Pi 3 which connects to the display driver board. The MakePad has this week launched via Kickstarter with the aim of raising $50,000 over the next 30 days to make the jump into production. The development team based in San Francisco, California have made early bird pledges available from $164 or £118 if you provide your own Raspberry Pi mini PC. Offering a considerable $115 saving off the recommended retail price. “Thanks to the MakePad’s embedded applications, there is no need for Internet access to use it (making it a perfect educational tool for schools in developing areas with poor or non-existent internet connection). Furthermore, the OS is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese, thus broadening its scope to include kids who may not have English as their first language.”
Everything you need to construct the tablet is provided in the box including a kid-friendly screwdriver, the tablets components and cables connect intuitively together and are colour-coded for easily identification. The tablet is also LEGO compatible allowing children to customise your MakePad tablet even further if desired and build projects incorporating the tablet. For more information and full specifications jump over to the official Kickstarter campaign page by following the link below. Where a full list of all available pledges are available to view.
Source: Kickstarter