SAN FRANCISCO — LittleBits (www.littleBits.cc), which employs a platform of easy-to-use electronic blocks that allow anyone to create and invent with electronics, has joined forces with Lucasfilm to present Droidathon. The first-time event was designed for kids from local organizations, including the Black Girls CODE, Booker T. Washington School Community Center, The Boys & Girls Club, and the YMCA, to showcase their Droid creations and discuss their ideation and inspiration.
Using the LittleBits Droid Inventor Kit as a starting point, teams of engineers, programmers, and designers created innovative Droids using the core electronic building blocks, together with 3D printing, craft material, soldering and programming.
The Droidathon also kicked off the LittleBits Competition (www.littlebits.com/droidinventorkitcompetition), which will run through January 10th. Using the Droid Inventor Kit, Star Wars fans residing in the US, UK, and Canada are asked to submit their own Droid design creations, with qualifying submissions judged by Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars Daisy Ridley and Kelly Marie Tran, alongside LittleBits foudne/CEO Ayah Bdeir and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
“Star Wars has always expanded kids’ imaginations and inspired them to see what is possible,” says Kennedy. “We’re excited to collaborate with all of these incredible companies and LittleBits to showcase the power of STEAM in action and inspire the next generation of inventors.”
“We believe the two best way to inspire kids about STEAM is through fun and role models,” adds Bdeir. “What could be more fun and inspiring than seeing the world’s top innovators and role models creating the weirdest Droids anyone has ever seen? We’re thrilled to work together to inspire kids of all ages, backgrounds, genders and interests to become tomorrow's change-makers."
In addition to Lucasfilm and LittleBits, Facebook, Fitbit, Instagram, Twitter and Google are also supporting the competition.