“Dan Shapiro sold a company to Google and worked at Microsoft. His name is on nearly a dozen technology-related patents. But when it came time for his latest venture, Mr. Shapiro turned to technology to produce something decidedly low-tech: a board game for children. Technology, by all rights, should have killed old-fashioned games, which can never equal the eye-popping graphics, visceral action and immense online communities of today’s video games. Yet the opposite has occurred.” That’s an excerpt from the story that ran on A1 in today’s issue of The New York Times, by Nick Wingfield. Shapiro’s game is Robot Turtles and it’s designed to covertly teach kids basic computer programming skills. I hung out with Shapiro and his kids while they played the game.
This was a fun little assignment, with nice people. Have a look at one image that ran with the story and some outtakes below. Read the story here.
Dan Shapiro, center, plays Robot Turtles with his kids, both 5, at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014. Robot Turtles, created by Shapiro with help from his kids, is a board game designed to subtly teach players aged 3-8 basic computer programming skills.
Robot Turtles cards are pictured during game play at the home of Dan Shapiro in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
Dan Shapiro, left, plays Robot Turtles with his daughter at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
Dan Shapiro’s son, left, plays Robot Turtles with his dad and sister at their home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
A Robot Turtles board is pictured during game play at the Shapiro home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
Dan Shapiro, center, plays Robot Turtles with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
Dan Shapiro moves pieces on a Robot Turtles board during a game with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
Dan Shapiro, top, plays Robot Turtles with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.
This is a great article, wonderfully inspiring photos. Is there any possibility of connecting up with Dan Shapiro? I am working on an educational project that integrates math and language arts with economics and financial literacy for school age children (kindergarten to grade 5). We have had the opportunity to pilot the program for grades K, 1 with good results even if the sample size is small. The vision of our assessment tool is to develop a game that incorporates measurement of 21st century skill sets, but geared specifically to young children.
Because I travel to Washington State every summer, I would like to contact Mr. Shapiro for some guidance. I am happy for you to provide my contact information to him: mobile-808-780-6197.
Would you let me know what your decision is on my request? This would be most appreciated. Thank you for your consideration, time and any help you can offer. Have a delightful week-end ahead! 🙂
With warm aloha and regards,
-Caroline Kim