From assembly to programming, the Hackaball combines learning to code with outdoor activity, bringing and internet-of-things approach to a lesson plan normally taught to bored kids stuck sitting indoors at a computer. Using any Apple or Android device, children can program this ball just as they would a desktop or laptop game, except they can take their resulting toy out to play with and share.

This throwable computer’s design starts with a versatile input and output system: “Thanks to tiny sensors, Hackaball knows when it’s falling, trembling, being thrown or kicked, or perfectly still. Tell Hackaball to change colour when it’s dropped, vibrate when it’s hit or even play sounds.”

The sky is essentially the limit – any game, simple or complex, that a child can dream up can be programmed into the ball, allowing it to flex with the imagination, experience and age of its users (generally recommended for 6 through 10). At under $100, the result is a relatively affordable teaching tool that can last for years or be passed (down) to others.

Durability is the key ingredient, provided by a sturdy but flexible membrane, as well as options beyond the ball: “The older kids wanted to stretch the computer to do things outside of the ball itself, which they can do by taking apart the two halves and attaching the computer to a toy car, a Lego construction, or anything else you can program using simple inputs and outputs.”

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Pendulum waves are one of those physics experiments that can make the natural world seem almost like magic. In a pendulum wave, many pendulums of different lengths start swinging at the same time. As their different lengths cause them to swing at different rates, they start out synchronized and quickly begin to swing in mesmerizing patterns.

This articular pendulum wave was built by artist and Appalachian State University teacher Jeff Goodman outdoors in North Carolina. It uses 16 bowling balls mounted on a wooden frame.

The pendulums’ lengths are precisely calculated so that they will all stop at precisely the same moment. Or at least that’s what they would do in a controlled environment. In this outdoor setup, environmental factors make them stop at slightly different times. Still, the visual display is kind of mind-blowing and begs to be watched over and over.

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As far as flashlights go, we don’t really expect much. We want them to provide a light in the dark and maybe accompany us on journeys, but they aren’t exactly a multi-tasking tool. The ZeroHourXD is one rugged flashlight that might change the way you think about this essential piece of survival gear.

The waterproof ZeroHourXD puts out an impressive 1,000 lumens of light and can do so for up to six hours. The flashlight comes with three rechargeable batteries; the modular nature of the batteries makes it easier to change them out once they’re used up and allows you to carry along extras wherever you go. You can use the flashlight with one, two, or all three batteries.

But the cool part of the ZeroHourXD is that it can also be used as a gadget charger. One of the battery packs includes a dual USB charger that can charge two gadgets at once. With full batteries, it can charge an iPhone seven times, a Samsung Galaxy five times, or an iPad Air two times.

Although the ZeroHourXD can be used as a flashlight and charge a gadget or two at the same time, the battery power will obviously diminish faster the more you multi-task. But in the case that you don’t need a flashlight, you can use the charging module on its own.

The company says their sources of inspiration were the classic Maglite and the iconic lightsaber. There are different body modules that can be added on to make the body of the flashlight longer to fit your specific needs. Removing the innards of one of the battery packs creates a watertight capsule that can hold matches, medicine, keys, and other necessities.

The flashlight comes with a variety of end caps: a carabiner cap, flat cap, and open cap. They allow you to keep the USB ports open or covered as the situation calls for; additional removable USB covers keep the USB ports. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the ZeroHourXD is now available for $225 (US).

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When packing for an outdoor excursion, it’s difficult to find room for a cast iron grill. Even carrying a skillet can add unwanted pounds, not to mention that annoying thunk on your back as you walk. A new concept in campfire cookery by an Israeli design student helps you shed some backpack weight.

Roee Magdassi created Stakes as a student at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. It’s an ultra-portable roll-up grill that uses braided wire instead solid metal. When constructed, it forms a 13″ x 10″ triangle that attaches to titanium stakes. And the best part of the setup is that there are no tools required; the stakes are simply hammered into place with a rock. When packed away, it weighs barely more than a pound.

Magdassi formulated the idea from his experience in the military, where one is expected to carry a heavy load for long periods of time. “During my military service I experienced walking long trails while carrying heavy loads,” he told Wired. “Therefore, I understood the importance of designing light weight equipment.” You can now add camping enjoyment to the long list the military gives back to the world.

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Solar cooking has been used by cultures around the world for centuries, but it has gained renewed popularity in the modern world. The simple cooking method uses no fuel but the sun itself, and it cooks just as well as any conventional oven. To date, the GoSun Stove seems to be one of the most advanced and effective solar cookers available commercially.

The highly portable evacuated tube stove costs under $200 and can cook up your vittles in as little as 20 minutes. It reaches temperatures up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit in just a few minutes, using its reflective surfaces to heat food quickly and efficiently.

Most solar ovens require a lot of calibration and experimentation to find the optimal position for maximum sun exposure. The GoSun can be positioned in any direction; its design attracts and amplifies the sun’s heat from any angle. It retains up to 90 percent of the sunlight that hits it, enabling it to cook a wide variety of foods no matter what the season.

The post Now You’re Cooking With Sun: Crazy Efficient Solar Cooker first appeared on Gajitz.