i did a 5x5 cube it was ok but pretty basic, next one i want a 7x7 RGB pic 30f one i am slowly collecting the leds each month (30 each month), i would go with a tethered quad copter, because you can make it as hard or easy as needed but its got the interesting factor to draw them in, also def go with flow code sorry but from what you describe you dont want the programing to put them off, and as i said before with flow code they can go deeper if they want or if not they can complete complex tasks easily like control the accelerometer needed to keep the copter level, it also gives you a chance to delve a bit more into physics and higher theory without the scare factor.
good marketing is the key
you are selling this to older kids so go the wow factor its easy and fun route, the copter thingy draws them in and with flow code you can asses what level they are, for example explain first lesson that with this software you can program things with ease or you can get complex with it either way they can build a neat gadget with huge learning potential in many areas without being scared, plus as a bonus if needed/wanted you can use flow code to teach C ! wich in the long run would be better to learn than BASIC! biggest trouble with basic is there is so many versions that learning one dosnt mean you can use the others! and they seem to come and go like swordfish and oshonsoft . at least with C the fundamentals are all the same so compiler is just matter of choice,
whatever happens please get it right as its a awesome chance for kids that i sorely wish was available where i live, best of luck and hope you have fun as well!
p.s glad you dropped C++ its not much use in electronics, and with C# for computers i think C++ has come and gone
good marketing is the key
whatever happens please get it right as its a awesome chance for kids that i sorely wish was available where i live, best of luck and hope you have fun as well!
p.s glad you dropped C++ its not much use in electronics, and with C# for computers i think C++ has come and gone