Former NASA Aerospace Engineer Develops Coding Kit For Kids Stuck At Home During Coronavirus Pandemic
A former NASA aerospace engineer has developed an at-home coding kit for kids ages 13 and up as a way to help kids stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic learn basic coding and engineering concepts.
Aisha Bowe, founder and CEO of the Arlington, Virginia-based technology company STEMBoard, says Lingo, a home-learning, STEM-based coding kit is now available to all worldwide.
"The idea of Lingo is to make technology accessible for all by introducing students to software, hardware and engineering concepts in a really easily approachable way," Bowe told WTOP.
STEMBoard says Lingo is the only teen coding kit that comes with "step-by-step videos and community support."
D.C. aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe met with a team of engineers to figure out a way to help parents and children exhausted with the at-home learning process.
— WTOP (@WTOP) June 23, 2020
They developed Lingo, an at-home coding kit for kids ages 13 and up. https://t.co/EyPzoG1Ek3
"It also includes follow-on materials that complement the highly detailed instructional booklet and inspires continued exploration," according to the company's press release. Lingo community members also have access to STEM lessons via the Lingo learning portal.
The first lesson involves building a back-up sensor used in autonomous vehicles, which students can put together and gain exposure to the code needed to make it function.
"Lingo enables teens to see how coding can be applied to industries like healthcare, fashion and sports," said Dr. Jarvis Sulcer, former nuclear engineer and STEMBoard's VP of Education and Outreach. "We hope that Lingo inspires more young people to create, invent and innovate in whatever interests them."
The kits cost $69.99. Bowe said her company has partnered with nonprofit organizations to get donated kits to kids for free.