For better or worse, we are squarely in the digital age, where computers, screens, and machines are taking over more of the mundane tasks in life and changing the way we learn, live, and do business.
The need for people to be fluent in computer languages and robotics has increased tenfold as a result, and homeschooling offers the unique opportunity to develop our children earlier with these skills so that they can take advantage of the employment opportunities that are projected in the future.
In my previous blog post, I laid out the kind of robotics and coding curriculum I needed for my homeschool. I have found one that checks all the boxes. 42 Electronics is an affordable, comprehensive online robotics and coding program that allows kids to go at their pace learning the basics of electronics and coding, teaching them step by step, lesson by lesson, what they need to know to eventually build and program a robot. The knowledge they learn about electronics and coding, however, lays a solid foundation for future projects.
42 Electronics teaches kids about electronics and coding through self-paced videos that walk them step-by-step through what they need to know to work with electronics, code with Python, and deal with electronic components. The company offers three courses: an electronics and coding standard course, an electronics and coding complete course, and a robotics course. Each course comes with an electronics kit with a Raspberry Pi and the electronic components needed to do the activities. We signed up for the Electronics and Coding Complete Course.
In addition to the video-based activities, the curriculum also offers pdf-text versions of each activity for kids to study or read. 42 also offers short quizzes to check for understanding after each activity. These quizzes are electronically graded and provide you and your child with immediate feedback as to how well they understand the material presented.
Affordability
One of the more frustrating aspects of finding a solid robotics and/or coding program is the associated hefty price tag. Some of the programs I researched prior to choosing 42 Electronics cost between $500 to $2,000! This is a huge investment to make without truly knowing whether my child will remain interested in robotics and coding. 42 Electronics is reasonably priced, and you get a lot for what you pay.
Self-Paced Course Structure
The courses are self-paced which means my son can have a flexible schedule and do lessons as he has time. The lessons are bite-sized lessons that focus on specific skills and build from there with clear instructions, diagrams, pictures, etc.
Another aspect of the course structure that I love is that I can sit with my son as understanding. I do wish that the pdf notes could be downloaded, printed, or purchased separately. In my opinion, this would make it easier for my son to read, review, and retain the information even more.
Solid Foundation for Coding and Robotics
The 42 Electronics courses provide my son with the skills and practice needed to apply his knowledge to other projects. The explanations are thorough, easy to understand, and make me feel confident that with what my son has learned, he can participate fully on robotics teams, take other coding classes, and apply what he’s learned to future projects.
