Arduino Microcontroller

Arduino is an excellent open-source microcontroller platform based on a simple Atmel ATMEGA8 and ATMEGA168 MC platform, with a developed range of language and interface tools.  Compared to other MC boards like the Netmedia’s BX-24, Parallax Basic Stamp, Phidgets, and MIT’s Handyboard, it has an extended community that is highly involved in education, and thus has tailored much of their involvement along these lines. A large hacking community also develops and supports a huge range of DIY type products, many of which engage youth and education as an aspect of their development.