How do you get girls interested in computers and coding? You make it accessible. Even if you’re not so tech savvy, finding ways that empower girls to learn these important skills through engaging methods that don’t talk down to them is important. And that’s what the new Boolean Girl Project aims to do with The Boolean Box.
About Boolean Box
The Boolean Box is a build-it-yourself computer and electronics kit is designed for kids ages 8+ to code, build, invent and animate. This technology and engineering discovery kit includes a Raspberry Pi III, keyboard and mouse, an ebook, and online access to the unique and specialized Boolean Girl curriculum and projects designed to introduce young girls (and boys) to computer programming.
The box contains everything a girl (or boy) needs to code in Scratch or Python (Emily’s favorite programming language) and complete simple circuitry tasks, such as the game controller project. Projects are free with the purchase of Boolean Box through the Boolean Girl website.
For those familiar with Boolean Girl Camps, the Boolean Box is based on the same equipment and curriculum used in the camps. Founded by parents of young kids who paid attention to what girls liked and didn’t, and refined their content accordingly, projects have been tested with larger and larger groups over the years. The Boolean Girl Project has taught hundreds of girls in camps and schools and built content for Boolean Box around the things girls love: collaborative projects that have a story.
What You Can Do with the Contents of The Boolean Box
The Boolean Box computer kit comes preloaded with software for learning coding, building a computer, or build electronics. To get started, open the box, connect it to a HDMI-capable TV, and it is ready to use. It’s designed for children 8 and up to build without help with no internet connection required.
It also comes with a mouse and a keyboard which is so smart. Because who wants to sit down to use the computer only to find that the mouse and/or keyboard are missing?
As a parent and former teacher, I love that Boolean Box is not just a one size fits all model for all kids. There are numerous projects on the website available to users of the Boolean Box and the contents are designed to grow with your child as their interests change and skills progress.
How to Buy Boolean Box
Boolean Box is pretty amazing, right?!? It’s unlike anything I’ve seen for kids so far in my many years of looking at tech products, tech kids, STEM toys, etc. and I think it’s a must-have for all families whose kids are interested in computers.
But Boolean Box isn’t available to purchase quite yet. It’s actually a recently-launched Kickstarter campaign that caught my interest because the box includes real stuff that teaches kids real skills through engaging projects. By supporting Boolean Box with a contribution of $99 or more to their Kickstarter, you can secure a box for your family once the project is fully funded.
To date, the Boolean Box campaign has raised over $17,000 of their $45,000 goal. Not bad but they have a way to go and I’d like to see this fully funded to bring Boolean Box to market! And if you know me and you’re been reading this site for awhile, it is incredibly rare for me to mention Kickstarter projects! I think this is only the second Kickstarter campaign I’ve mentioned in my 8 years of blogging!
I received an early Boolean Box to take a look at but was under no obligation to write about it or help promote their Kickstarter. I personally believe in the mission of The Boolean Girl Project and all opinions are my own.
