Hi, One of the threads at the last London Python Meetup was about Python for Kids. Specifically about how to get kids into Python programming and possibly how to get Python taught in Schools. There was mention of the Livewires python tutorial material for example.
Simon B. in particular (IIRC) was interested in Turtle Graphics for Python (a la Logo). Along similar lines, but drawing upon the Karel the Robot tradition there is RUR-PLE where there is a robot that is controlled using Python syntax, there is a set of lessons provided where the student has to accomplish progressively complex tasks with the robot using Python syntax introduced in the course of the lessons. An overview of RUR-PLE can be found at http://rur-ple.sourceforge.net/en/help.htm. It's based on wxPython. I have a young nephew who has just reached school age, so right now I'm more concerned about him having educational games and software than programming. Being able to extend/enhance the software in Python would be useful though. Childsplay http://childsplay.sourceforge.net/ is just the thing, it's a suite of educational games for young children along similar lines to Gcompris but without the C/C++ code and GNOME dependencies. It's based on Pygame and is cross-platform. It only has two games bundled, you have to install the plugins to get the other available games. Games are written as plugins in python that run in the Childsplay environment. Ideally, you might get your older kids to write new game plugins to keep your younger ones amused, just an idle thought! ;-) Anyway, I intend to try out Childsplay on the nephew this weekend. -- Mamading Ceesay "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." -- R. Buckminster Fuller _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list python-uk@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
