If you’ve recently found yourself spending too much time looking at memes on your phone, or you’ve noticed you are becoming unnervingly familiar with Netflix’s back catalogue of obscure conspiracy theory documentaries, it might be time to find a new hobby. Preferably one that’s not going to rot your brain. And if you happen to have an interest in science and technology, you probably won’t find a cooler hobby than Creation Crate’s Arduino-based project kits.
Creation Crate is a monthly subscription box service for tech lovers. Instead of sending you a bunch of shaving products or random collectibles you don’t really need, they send you a hobby kit that teaches you coding and electronics using Arduino’s open-source micro-controller boards.
Creation Crate
The goal at Creation Crate is to provide foundational literacy in coding and electronics in a fun and engaging way. Every month they send you a new project that involves building hardware and programming software using the Arduino platform. Each project is slightly harder than the last and builds on the skills you’ve already learned. And everything you need comes in the box, including an Uno R3 Arduino board, written instructions, and a password that gives you access to Creation Crate’s online tutorials.
Of course, the most obvious benefit of learning coding and electronics is that these are essential skills for the 21st century. Every convenience of modern life, from ordering an Uber to checking the weather on your phone, is only possible thanks to lines and lines and lines of code. And understanding how it all works is key to remaining relevant. However, there are also benefits to coding beyond the need to stay employable. Coding also teaches and reinforces a number of valuable life skills and educational habits, including problem solving, creativity, empathy, and resilience, among others. But also, and perhaps most importantly from a hobbyist point of view, making cool gadgets is fun.
So who is Creation Crate for? That’s the best part. Creation is designed to be fun and engaging for people of all ages. Though they officially list the recommended age at 12 and up, they also say kids under 12 might be able to build some of the projects with a little parental guidance.
Right now, Creation Crate has two “curriculum” to choose from, both of which are fully vetted and certified by STEM.org.
Creation Crate Standard Arduino-Based Electronics Curriculum
Creation Crate’s Standard Electronics Curriculum includes 18 different projects, including, among other things, a mood lamp, a distance detector, an infrared security system, and an FM tuner. All projects use an Uno R3 Arduino micro-controller board and various other components to teach circuitry, programming, and problem solving.
The best value for the Standard Electronics Curriculum is the 12-month subscription, which starts at just $22.49 per month. However, you can also get significant savings with the 6-month subscription, which starts at just $25.49 per month.
Creation Create Upgraded Arduino-Based Electronics Curriculum
Creation Crate’s upgraded curriculum features 12 projects, and just like the standard curriculum they use an Uno R3 Arduino microcontroller board and various other components to teach circuitry, programming, and problem solving. However, the upgraded curriculum comes with premium components and a free 9V adapter. It also features re-imagined multi-stage projects that use the Creation Crate box to make the projects display-ready.
As with the standard curriculum, the 12-month subscription offers the best value. It starts at just $32.49 per month. The 6-month subscription starts at $25.49 per month.
If you’re looking for a fun new hobby that will expand your horizons while building some really cool stuff, go sign up for Creation Crate today.
Source: These Monthly Arduino Project Kits Are an Awesome Way to Learn Coding and Electronics
