The folks at Kano have a passion for making computers more accessible to children. They previously introduced a modular computer that kids could easily build themselves and learn more about how these machines work. And now, they give us none other than a Harry Potter-inspired wand that combines “magic” and technology to teach kids about coding (via Gizmodo).
This device is a bit more straightforward than their last gadget. You insert a small computer (which has an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer) into the base of a plastic wand, and when you move the wand, that data is fed into an accompanying mobile app.
The goal is to make programming not so scary for kids via a graphical coding interface, which kids will use, in tandem with the wand, to do everything from make a virtual feather float to activate sound effects based on the movement and positioning of the wand. Ultimately, it seems like a solid and fun way to get the young person in your life interested in the frameworks that make their favorite devices go.
As far as I can tell, magic isn’t real, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of magical things out there in the world. The mysteries of our planet can leave us believing in magic, or at least forces we don’t understand. And the younger you are, the more there is to learn and to observe for the first time with starry eyes. Computers and related technologies are an increasingly big part of children’s lives, so this Harry Potter wand that helps bridge the gap to this school of thought is a wonderful thing.
What do you think of this accessible-tech wand? Will you get one for your kids (or maybe just yourself)? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Featured image: Warner Bros. Pictures
