Tracy Gardner has a Computer Science PhD. She has worked as a software engineer and software architect, including working for 10 years at IBM. Tracy has two children and now focuses on introducing technology to the next generation. Tracy is a director of Tech Age Kids. She also develops educational content for the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Between 2014 to 2017, Tracy taught Computing to Key Stage 2 children (aged 7-11). She volunteers at a Code Club and Coder Dojo. Elbrie de Kock has an Interior Design degree and has worked in a number of different industries as a designer and digital marketeer. Elbrie has three children. Her eldest son's passion for computer programming inspired her to find opportunities for kids to learn to code. She uses her creative background and newly developed technology skills to develop projects that combine craft, coding and electronics. Elbrie is a director of Tech Age Kids and organises creative technology events for children and families. She volunteers at a Code Club and founded the local Coder Dojo Tech Age Kids is an online company that helps parents and educators find constructive and creative uses of technology for children and teens. The company creates educational material and online content for techagekids.com, including approachable project ideas, news and reviews of the latest educational and creative technology products, as well as advice on digital parenting issues. Tech Age Kids believes that modern children should develop skills in coding, electronics and design so that they can understand the present and shape the future. The company supports the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), Maker and Digital Making movements.
As a Mum with a limited computer background, I often feel left behind by my children's computer knowledge. This book provides a brilliant way of engaging with my child to be creative and learn new coding skills together. Using the story of Alice in Wonderland as the context, along with the clear instructions, makes the projects easy to follow and enjoyable to make. If I can do this, anyone can!"" Anne Wan, children's book author and mother of three. ""I really enjoyed the activities - my favourite was the croquet."" Bethany (aged 11). ""When I first heard about the micro: bit I was fairly underwhelmed and wondered how much you could really do with 25 red LEDs and a few inputs. How wrong I was! I absolutely love the creativity of this book. Tracy and Elbrie have brought together a unique combination of skills to develop these incredible projects that most of us couldn't even dream of. I would have loved a book like this at the age of 10 or 11 (or even older!) and although the projects will appeal to both boys and girls I think this book could be a significant tool for engaging this generation of young girls with computing."" Sian January, software engineer and mother of two. ""The Alice theme works well, and the integration of crafting is a great way to elevate even the simplest projects into something quite special."" Sean McManus, author of Cool Scratch Projects in Easy Steps ""When we were presented with the draft of this book it was a delight to explore. It is coherent, concise and comprehensive. It takes the readers on a learning journey but in a way that is full of fun activities, set in the context of a timeless story that is known and loved around the world."" Gareth James, chief of education and strategy at Micro: bit Education Foundation. ""Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Dodgson, was an inventive genius who has caught the imagination of generations of children all over the world in his Alice's Adventures books. In their 'micro: bit in Wonderland' book, Tracy Gardner and Elbrie de Kock draw on that tradition and bring it graphically into the digital era. They skillfully appeal to young learners' imaginations and creativity, while giving them the digital tools they need to take control. The chapters skilfully blend together practical craftwork using familiar materials with the pervasive 21st Century electronic tools on which we are increasingly reliant. The clear and simple style of the text demystifies the processed involved and places them firmly in the grasp of primary school children. Anyone, young or old, who has completed the projects in this book will be very well placed to create their own inventions. I thoroughly recommend this book, and I also look very much look forward to reading more from these talented authors.""Prof. Adrian Oldknow, Founder of the Cambridge Centre for Innovation in Technological Education ""Tech Age Kids have created an engaging, inspiring and visually beautiful activity book that is an absolute asset for classroms and families alike. Teaching and playing with children in ways that incorporate technology and develop their coding skills will bring them a lot of fun now and better prepare them for the world of tomorrow.""Jane Moody, Drift Educational IT Services