Sometimes telling the children all the sensors and actuators can be too overwhelming for them to remember at once. Tommy and the inventor is a storybook acts as a “hook” for children to remember the functions of each sensor and actuator better.

The challenges for young children to programming are (1) understanding how sensors and actuators work together and (2) comprehending the concept of cause and effect.

View the full story and illustration

Lesson on sensors for young learners

I also made an interactive automatic story telling device.  Combining with guidance for adults, children can interact with the sensors and see the changing result on the actuators.

“Tommy and the Inventor” is a part of my physical computing project to introduce K-3 kids sensors and actuators that come with the GoGo Board through fun and colorful narratives.

See how I tested my project with the children