PICAXE "snap connector" kids microcontroller kit!

Here's an nifty approach that fits a UK sourced PICAXE-08M micro-controller into the gutted sound module from a colourful "snap connector" electronic kit. It's designed around the simplest ( & cheapest!) 80 experiment kit,but larger versions could be also used.

Popular & CHEAP high level PICAXE micros are widely considered THE best value educational micro, but pre teens & fuzzy eyed seniors may find PCB soldering & breadboard circuit assembly too fiddly. The modification,although a junior version, still allows full PICAXE programming (~80 lines of high level PBASIC code), but only 3 of the normal 5 I/Os are now available - quite enough for intro work! Sounds,LED flashing,sensor reading,timers,data loggers,simple reaction games, code sending, traffic light simulations etc- even 2 wire serial data comms to other units/PCs are possible. Basic electrical circuits included with the snap kits themselves of course can still be used.

These "snap connector" kits are globally sold under a variety of names, but here in New Zealand they're known as "Electronic Brain Boxes", with the simplest "80 Experiments" offering only ~US$15.
Pre-teen kids thrive on them,& classroom management is easy, since no tools are needed. That's right teachers- NO TOOLS NEEDED!

I've used a swag of 30 as part of my educational "mad scientist" work, & had ~1000s of hormonal kids tinker with them in the past 18 months. Amazingly however most are still intact & almost NONE OF THE PARTS HAVE BEEN LOST. The design of the kits in fact cultivates compulsive tidying up-complete sets have been reboxed in as little as 3 minutes!

Young kids (some even preschool) have absolutely LOVED them, & the confidence boosting gained from assembling CIRCUITS THAT WORK is immense.