Two professors wrote the world’s first blockchain board book for kids
Could you explain the blockchain to your kid? Two science professors wrote a story to teach kids about blockchain technology and want to give it away to kids all across the country.
Research shows that early exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) increases the rate at which kids will pursue technical careers later in life. Recognizing that, Nicholas Tatonetti, assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Columbia University, and Noah Zimmerman, assistant professor of genetics and genomics sciences at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, sought to teach blockchain to kids well before they show up in their classrooms. Blockchain is a new technology that underlies popular cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
“There aren’t many options for parents that want to introduce science and technology to their toddlers,” says Zimmerman. “We were inspired to bring the excitement around blockchain technology to a younger audience,” continues Zimmerman. In their book, the lead character is a kid caterpillar named Toshi. Toshi must work with her friends to plan their day at school without their teacher being present. The story parallels the role that consensus algorithms play in coordinating activity on the blockchain when nobody is in charge. These consensus algorithms are how thousands of computers confirm the accuracy of cryptocurrency transactions.
Tatonetti and Zimmerman have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their project. “We are passionate about this project and our goal is to get the book into as many hands as possible, “ says Tatonetti, “which is why we have partnered with The Children’s Book Project to donate books to schools and libraries.” The Children’s Book Project is a long standing San Francisco based non-profit that has delivered over 113,000 books to needy kids already this year. The pair of professors is giving away one book for everyone that is backed on their kickstarter — with some options to give more books for bigger donations.
To illustrate Toshi Builds Consensus, they’ve partnered with a Philadelphia-based artist and early childhood educator, Cybil Sanzetenea. Sanzetenea is an avid fan of children’s publishing and has a vibrant and eclectic style that kids love. A children’s book author herself, Sanzetenea knows what it takes to produce a meaningful book that both kids and parents love.
More information about their project can be found on the kickstarter page, which includes a video featuring a cute, and skeptical, kid.
