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Learn - Build - Program - Play

Welcome to iTapArcade where we provide innovative ways to teach Python coding concepts based on creating Light Emitting Diode (LED) based games.  We have electronic LED gaming kits based on two variants of coding based on embedded Python (MicroPython and CircuitPython).   We are currently promoting an electronic LED gaming kit based on products like the Circuit Playground Express (CPX) board to encourage coding for all ages.  Check out our latest Game Shield Kit for the CPX to explore LED gaming with Neopixels.  Explore how we create CircuitPython based games like a 4 player tennis game for kids of all ages on the CPX.  Follow us on Twitter @iTapArcade so you know when we release CircuitPython based games for our Game Shield Kit.  Our kits provide a great platform for learning embedded Python programming based on CircuitPython while having fun with your CPX.  In the coming months, we will provide tutorials on how you can leverage our kits to help teach Python coding concepts.  

Using LED Gaming to Teach Coding in Python

Using LED Games to teach Python coding concepts helps your students focus on core gaming concepts while dealing with the constraints of a limited display to create games.  This is a great coding problem with real-world constraints normally found in various engineering disciplines.   We seek to create gaming kits that promote programming creativity while leveraging limited displays like LEDs.  What type of games are based on LEDs?  Below is an example of an auto racing game based on LEDs released in 1976 by Mattel Electronics.  We seek to create games like this in MicroPython with micro:bit based gaming kits as well as in CircuitPython with the CPX to help facilitate creative embedded Python coding  with students. 

LED based games were fun as portable handheld gaming systems for us who grew up in the 80s, so I am seeking to capture that same kind of fun with our gaming kits while teaching young programmers how to code in Python. With all of the sensors on the CPX, it makes the perfect platform for developing handheld electronic games. Instead of 80s LEDs with no extra sensors, Circuit Playground Express includes NeoPixels and a variety of other sensors to create fun handheld electronic games.