# 261: Blowing Their Fragile Little Minds

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-09-21
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 261
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds

## Summary

Helen Leigh, an author and maker, discusses her book The Crafty Kid's Guide to DIY Electronics and the mini.mu gesture-controlled glove kit, which uses the BBC Micro:bit. She explains her philosophy of merging craft with technology to democratize electronics education, avoiding traditional soldering and complex code in favor of conductive thread and block-based programming. Leigh shares insights on debugging physical projects, workshop design, and the importance of role models like Imogen Heap and Phoenix Perry in inspiring young makers.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=6) Introduction and Background
- [3:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=187) Playful Education and Maker History
- [15:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=907) Merging Craft and Electronics
- [20:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=1248) The Crafty Kids Book and Advisory Board
- [33:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=1988) Debugging and Conductive Thread Tips
- [37:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=2254) The mini.mu Glove and Imogen Heap
- [48:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=2891) Micro:bit, Circuit Playground, and Democratization
- [53:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds#t=3217) Workshop Design and Conference Advice

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- The Crafty Kid's Guide to DIY Electronics (product)
- mini.mu (product)
- BBC Micro:bit (chip)
- Pimoroni (company)
- Adafruit (company)
- Circuit Playground Express (product)
- MakeCode (tool)
- Imogen Heap (other)
- mi.mu (product)
- Phoenix Perry (other)
- Intel (company)
- Geography Collective (company)
- McMillan (company)
- National Geographic (company)
- Fablab Bank (other)
- W3 schools (other)
- Ableton (tool)
- Mitch Altman (other)
- EMF (other)
- BETT (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Work on it for 10 years...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-12-30-work-on-it-for-10-years) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Secret Life of Circuits with lcamtuf / Michał Zalewski](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-06-04-the-secret-life-of-circuits-with-lcamtuf-micha-zalewski) (The Amp Hour)
- [Eating An Elephant](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-12-04-eating-an-elephant) (The Amp Hour)
- [MNT Pocket Reform, Apple E-Ink display, Pi Pico Midi Step Sequencer, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-09-28-mnt-pocket-reform-apple-e-ink-display-pi-pico-midi-step-sequencer-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [#397.7 - Impedance Matching with Jeff Keyzer and Michael Ossmann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-06-25-397-7-impedance-matching-with-jeff-keyzer-and-michael-ossmann) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-09-21-261-blowing-their-fragile-little-minds. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.