micro:bit by the BBC
© 2017 BBC Microbit
Small, cheap and programmable, this credit-card sized computer (called the micro:bit, all in lower case) offers a more user friendly experience, when compared to a Arduino or Raspberry Pie. As of April 2017, the standard board comes with 25 LED lights arranged in a 5 x 5 grid (for displaying short scrolling messages) and two programmable buttons (to control games). The board contains a 16MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller with 256KB Flash RAM, 16KB RAM, temperature sensor, accelerometer, compass, Bluetooth antenna, micro USB plug and a two-pin JST connector for power, which is provided by two AAA batteries, included in the kit. The bottom of the board contains 20 gold-tabbed edge pins and five ring connectors (three for digital/analog I/O, two for power and ground) for hooking up external components. The tabs with larger holes can be used with alligator clips. An app that lets you send code over Bluetooth (without using a USB cable) and more. An app (free for both iOS and Android) let's you sync your tablet directly to the card, for mobile programming. Note that micro:bit is currently available for pre-order only in the USA.
$15, iPad, iPhone, Android
Teaches: STEM, coding, programming