A kit for assembling and decorating a lamp that educates children about scientific, engineering, and artistic principles. Assembling the lamp housing teaches children about fasteners, tools, and mechanisms. Assembling the electronics teaches children about electronic components. Controlling the lights teaches children about lighting, colors, and software.

An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular embodiment, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an embodiment allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an embodiment is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.

An audio demonstration kit encourages understanding of audio concepts by enabling children to construct and study speaker performance. In a particular embodiment, the audio demonstration kit includes a paper speaker and instructions. The paper speaker includes a backplate, a suspension, and a diaphragm cut from a single sheet of paper. The demonstration kit may feature an amplifier that is configurable to accommodate various hardware additions as a child is ready for more progressively challenging construction. For example, the amplifier of an embodiment allows single and dual mode operation, as well as drives a rotary motor and is coordinated with a strobe light. The amplifier of an embodiment is synchronized with the strobe light and a moveable platform to create the impression of that jiggling figures attached to the table are dancing. Interfaces with smart phone, recording, and other technologies further enhances and encourages the learning experience.

A system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a computer-implemented method for simulating the fit of a particular garment on a user using a fit simulation garment. The fit simulation garment is wearable by a user and comprises a plurality of actuators configured to simulate tightness of regions of the particular garment. The method includes receiving a garment fit model defining the fit of the particular garment on the user. The method further includes parsing the garment fit model to generate control data for controlling the fit simulation garment, and transmitting the control data to the fit simulation garment to cause the plurality of actuators to collectively simulate the fit of the particular garment on the user.

A color wheel having a plurality of pieces is disclosed. Selected brick pieces may be stacked upon each other side-by-side and a viewing apparatus laid upon the stacked brick pieces. The viewing apparatus may have a viewing window which can be adjusted in order to adjust the percentage of each of the brick pieces being viewed through the viewing window of the viewing apparatus to provide for a more accurate perception of how the selected colored pieces will be perceived when implemented in a brick building.

A color wheel having a plurality of pieces is disclosed. Selected brick pieces may be stacked upon each other side-by-side and a viewing apparatus laid upon the stacked brick pieces. The viewing apparatus may have a viewing window which can be adjusted in order to adjust the percentage of each of the brick pieces being viewed through the viewing window of the viewing apparatus to provide for a more accurate perception of how the selected colored pieces will be perceived when implemented in a brick building.

Methods and systems for training a broad population of learners in the field of robotics and automation technology based on physical interactions with a robotic training system are described herein. Specifically, a robotic instructor provides audio-visual instruction and physically interacts with human learners to effectively teach robotics and automation concepts and evaluate learner understanding of those concepts. In some examples, a training robot instructs and demonstrates encoder operation, feedback control, and robot motion coordination with external objects and events while physically interacting with a human learner. In some examples, interlock logic and waypoints of the training robot are programmed by the human user while the training robot physically interacts with the human learner. In a further aspect, a training robot evaluates the proficiency of a human learner with respect to particular robotic concepts. Future instruction by the training robot is determined in part by the measured proficiency.

A system is provided for marketing bedding. The system includes a plurality of air velocity displays each having a body defining a chamber and an opening that is in communication with the chamber, an air flow generator positioned within the chamber, and a sample material that covers the opening such that air flow created by the air flow generator passes through the sample material. The system includes plurality of selection modules. The selection modules each having a user interface that is in communication with one of the air velocity displays such that engaging a feature of one of the user interfaces will cause one of the air flow generators to move from an off position to an on position to create airflow. Methods of use are provided.

A system is provided for marketing bedding. The system includes a plurality of air velocity displays each having a body defining a chamber and an opening that is in communication with the chamber, an air flow generator positioned within the chamber, and a sample material that covers the opening such that air flow created by the air flow generator passes through the sample material. The system includes plurality of selection modules. The selection modules each having a user interface that is in communication with one of the air velocity displays such that engaging a feature of one of the user interfaces will cause one of the air flow generators to move from an off position to an on position to create airflow. Methods of use are provided.

Educational tools including a cover, a shaft, and a rotating member. The cover includes an interactive section having a fixed set of indicia, a first lateral section pivotally coupled to the interactive section, and a second lateral section pivotally coupled to the interactive section opposite the first lateral section. The shaft is mounted to the interactive section and the rotating member is rotationally mounted to the shaft. The rotating member has a rotating set of indicia at a plurality of radial positions. The rotating member is configured to selectively rotate about the shaft to a plurality of aligned positions where the rotating set of indicia and the fixed set of indicia align. The rotating set of indicia and the fixed set of indicia are selected to have educational significance when aligned in selected combinations. In some examples, the educational tool includes a second rotating member.