These are just a few resources that support Logo-like learning projects as shared in the book, Twenty Things to Do with a Computer Forward 50: Future Visions of Education Inspired by Seymour Papert and Cynthia Solomon’s Seminal Work.
Programming Languages
Scratch – A block-based programming language for simple storytelling and games. Materials and videos for educators and classrooms. scratch.mit.edu
Snap! – Scratch with first-class objects added to make more complex programming projects possible. snap.berkeley.edu
Turtle Art – A simple yet elegant variation of Logo with an iconic interface intended to create beautiful images. turtleart.org
Lynx – A text-based implementation of Logo in a cloud programming environment supporting project sharing. lynxcoding.club
Turtlestitch – A version of Snap! that outputs files for embroidery machines. turtlestitch.com
Microsoft MakeCode – A block-based programming language for a growing list of microcon- trollers. MakeCode runs in the browser with a simulator showing your hardware device. The website has tutorials and project ideas. makecode.com
Beetle Blocks – Visual code block environment for 3D design in the Logo tradition. Runs in the browser. beetleblocks.com
Wolfram Language – A comprehensive programming language with built-in computational intelligence. wolfram.com/language
MIT App Inventor – A block-based language for creating iOS or Android mobile apps. appinventor.mit.edu
Tinkercad – Easy to use, online Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) program for 3D printed objects and circuits. It is a favorite of many schools for its friendly interface and tutorials. tinkercad.com
Hardware
BBC micro:bit – A non-profit foundation supports the BBC micro:bit, a versatile microcontroller board. Resources for students, teachers, developers, and an online community. microbit.org
Adafruit Circuit Playground Express – A single board microcontroller with onboard sensors and LEDs. Supports multiple coding options including MakeCode, JavaScript, Python, and the Arduino IDE. learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-circuit-playground-express
Hummingbird Robotics Kit – The Hummingbird Robotics Kit by Birdbrain Technologies is designed to enable engineering and robotics activities. It is terrific for making robots, kinetic sculptures, and animatronics built out of a combination of kit parts and crafting materials. It is programmable in dozens of software environments including Scratch and Snap! birdbraintechnologies.com/hummingbirdbit
Raspberry Pi – The Raspberry Pi is a single board computer with many available accessories and add-ons. The Raspberry Pi Foundation website has useful teaching and learning resources. raspberrypi.org
Arduino – Open-source electronics prototyping platform and robotics controller for interactive projects. arduino.cc
LEGO Education – LEGO site for education products and resources. education.lego.com
Archive Sites
The Seymour Papert archives at The Daily Papert
Cynthia Solomon’s History of Logo web site
Recommended Reading
2022 CITE Journal articles about the Twenty Things book
- TurtleStitching: At Least Twenty Things to Do With a Computer and a Computerized Embroidery Machine by Cynthia Solomon and Susan Klimczak
- Twenty Things to Do With a Computer – Fifty Years Later by Gary Stager
- “Twenty Things to Do With a Computer” Revisited by Glen Bull, N. Rich Nguyen, Jo Watts, Rachel Gibson, & Michael Littman
The Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute Toolbox
Articles, software, tips & tricks curated for educators
Resources from Invent To Learn for Making, Projects, and More
Making & Learning
- Making & Learning – Essential reading and videos for understanding how making supports learning
- Effective Teaching – Teaching and pedagogy that supports maker education
- Maker Education – Guides, resources, communities, events, and organizationssupporting making in K-12 education
- Making in Libraries, Museums, & Community Centers
- Fab Labs & FabLearn
- Educator Websites – Sites and blogs by educators showcasing maker projects in schools, libraries, and community organizations
- Videos Everyone Will Love – Fun and inspirational videos about making
Projects & Resources
- Project Collections & Inspiration – Online project libraries and collections, tutorials, good starter projects, and project books
- Books for Your Makerspace – A starter set of books every makerspace should have for makers and their families
- Magazines
- Clubs & Competitions
- Makerspace & Hackerspace Directories
- School and Makerspace Design – Space design for active, creative spaces, makerspaces, and storage ideas
Tools, Tech, Supplies, & Software
- What to Buy & Where to Find It – Buyer’s guides, vendors, places to purchase supplies, and shopping lists
- 3D Printing & Fabrication – Project model collections, 3D printing, lasercutters, vinyl cutters, CNC machines, software, and outsourcing services
- Physical Computing – Makey Makey, Arduino, micro:bit and other MDBs, and programming
- Wearables & E-textiles
- Raspberry Pi
- Robotics & Robotics Kits
- LEGO Engineering
- Electronics – Resources for teaching electronics, electronics kits, and circuit design
- Programming Languages – Logo, Scratch, other block-based languages, Python, Processing, Minecraft & programmable worlds, app and game makers
- Biomaking
- Inventors, Inventing, & Citizen Science
- Creative Materials Old & New – Squishy Circuits, cardboard, creativity software, filmmaking, and photography
- Copyright & Intellectual Property
Pedagogy, Support, & Research
- Seymour Papert & Constructionism – Books and papers by Seymour Papert, resources on constructionism
- Reggio Emilia Approach
- Programming Education – Resources for teaching programming, organizations supporting programming and computer science education, amd research
- Tinkering, Creativity, & Play
- STEM & STEAM
- Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
- Research Snapshots – Selections from recent research supporting educational making, fabrication, robotics, programming, scaling maker education, PBL, pedagogies that support making, STEM, STEAM, design, and links to research groups