Good post Mike. I'd like my children to learn (possibly when they're 10+) this type of creativity and I'll truly enjoy watching them tinker around. Arduino seems to require a little more knowledge in building whereas Boe-Bot is more beginner friendly AND........"solder-free". :)
 
I'd also like to see what she accomplishes.

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cool!

Now tell her to connect a second sensor controlling the pulse width and she's created an optical theremin

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I use PIC micro-controllers for most of my projects requiring any sort of processing.
 
 I gave a short lecture at our radio club on their use.  The favorite demonstration by far was a scrolling clock/message display using a single line of LEDs on a rotating "board" that scanned the message and displayed it in thin air.  The rotating board was a 3 foot length of wood with the LEDs at one end and the batteries as counter balance at the other and a bolt in the middle...    ... connected to an electric drill

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Karyn
Now tell her to connect a second sensor controlling the pulse width and she's created an optical theremin

Oh wow...  You just reminded me that I have a Theremin kit still in a box.  I wonder where my good soldering gun is...

craigb

Karyn
Now tell her to connect a second sensor controlling the pulse width and she's created an optical theremin

Oh wow...  You just reminded me that I have a Theremin kit still in a box.  I wonder where my good soldering gun is...

Are ya gonna SHOOT it with solder?

Beagle

craigb

Karyn
Now tell her to connect a second sensor controlling the pulse width and she's created an optical theremin

Oh wow...  You just reminded me that I have a Theremin kit still in a box.  I wonder where my good soldering gun is...

Are ya gonna SHOOT it with solder?

It might be better for all involved if I just shot it and let it end like that.