Google donates $100,000 to help kids build their own games consoles

Google’s education arm has donated $100,000 towards a joint project between Code Club and Technology Will Save Us which allows children to build and programme their own games console for just £60, thereby teaching them early essential skills for a potential lifetime in technology.

Announced today, the kits are already on sale but the funding from Google’s RISE program will allow 900 kids to get their hands on one, plus sessions with Code Club to assemble them, for free.

It’s comprised of 40 parts which need to be soldered to its custom circuit board and once the Arduino-controlled gaming machine is complete, the children can start programming their own games to play on it. Naturally, it’s the soldering, programming and design part that Code Clubs will be assisting with, using resources created specifically for this project, the organization said.

Code Clubs that are interested in the program can find out more about the scheme, but don’t hang around as the Google-sponsored self-assemble kits are being assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. One kit will be provided for every two children in each club, so it should teach kids to share too.

➤ DIY Gamer Kits for Clubs [Code Club]