Modkit: blending and extending approachable platforms for creating computer programs and interactive objects

This paper describes Modkit - a toolkit that makes it possible for novices and experienced designers to create their own interactive objects by combining graphical blocks inspired by the Scratch programming environment and the Arduino platform. The demonstration will feature the current Modkit components, activities, and projects that illustrate how the toolkit blends Scratch and Arduino platforms to extend what and how young people are able to create. We will present example projects made by young people, discuss the details of the system implementation, and highlight the implications our design decisions had in informal learning environments.