We have restocked our popular boardgames and brought in some new ones.
Check them out in our store. Some of them are available in Cube 61 in SCG Pavilion, Gadong Mall.
Restock and new arrival boardgames
We have added STEM products in store
We are adding products in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for the tech wiz.
Literacy in STEM enables innovations, and innovations are what have been driving the improvement and modernization of our living environment. STEM skills are critical in creating a competitive edge in knowledge-intensive economies. There is increasing demand in the STEM skills, however there seems to be decreasing interest in STEM among the kids and probably adults. The subject matters are abstracts and can be difficult to grasp.
There have been various efforts around the world to promote STEM education in school curriculum, activities as well as educational products. One of the most widely used means of delivering STEM education is through the use of robotics. Robotics is a fusion of a wide variety of STEM, encompassing computation, mechanical, electronics, control, instrumentation, communication, information, internet, artificial intelligence, audio and visual, embedded systems, and many more including non-technical aspects such as sociology and art. It involves all components of STEM and, more importantly robots are interesting and appealing to the kids and many people.
We are bringing in a few good selections of educational toys and products that can make learning STEM fun. By having exposure to STEM from early age, kids may find it easier to follow the formal STEM curriculum.
At the moment, our STEM products begin from the age of four.
Literacy in coding is an advantage in this technology-driven economy.
“Everybody in this country should learn to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think” – Steve Jobs
The mTiny Coding Kit from MAKEBLOCK is an early childhood (4+) education robot for children growing up in the digital age. Its Tap Pen Controller is a coding tool that exercises children’s logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These are not most important skills for STEM. It brings computer programming into children’s real life, using coding cards and various themed map blocks to guide the child in exploring, perceiving, and creating through highly interactive, stimulating, and fun games. The continuously updated mTiny toolkit also fosters children’s interest in learning in math, English, music, and other subjects, and keeps them inspired.
What’s even more helpful is that mTiny is screen free! With no need to use mobile phones or tablet PCs, mTiny lowers the threshold of coding for children and protects their eyes from screen-induced damage. The physical tap pen controller, cards, and maps free children from Internet and video game distractions, and fully engage their senses in the process of exploration and learning. Isn’t it perfect for the young children?
Once the young wiz has gained the beginner skills with mTiny and is getting bored with it, perhaps next in the line up is the Codey Rocky from MAKEBLOCK.
Codey Rocky combines hardware (physical body) with software (the program and app), allowing children to learn about programming while they play and create. Using mBlock, a software which supports both blocked-based and Python programming, Codey Rocky takes children by their hands and leads them into the world of avant-garde technology with its inbuilt artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) functionalities, giving them a competitive edge in the AI.
The programming of Codey using mBlock software is as simple as playing blocks. Hot on the heels of the most widely used visual programming environment Scratch, mBlock features many powerful functions and promises truckload of experience; programming is as simple as assembling building blocks – anyone who reads can learn to program. The learning process has also been structured into a series of games of different levels, making programming full of fun while children progress through these games.
When the learner desire more than the block-based visual programming, it is easy to switch to Python. Python is a programming language widely used at the forefront of technological advances such as AI and data analysis. Using mBlock software to learn a more advanced programming language, children can either directly code in Python or switch their written block-based program into Python. mBot offers a learning package from beginning to program to getting ready to do advance programming.
How about fiddling with the physical stuff? The engineering thingy.
mBot is built on the similar software system with the Codey, however it offers DIY experience to fiddle with the hardware (the physical stuff). With just a screwdriver, the step by step instructions, and a study schedule, children can build a robot from scratch and experience the joys of hands-on creation. As they work on the mBot, they will learn about a variety of robotic machinery and electronic parts, get to grips with the fundamentals of block-based programming, and develop their logical thinking and design skills.
Another product suitable for the younger wiz is the micro:bit.
micro:bit uses the same programming environment, mBlock based on Scratch block-based visual programming. micro:bit does not come with the sort of well packaged body and training materials of MAKEBLOCK products, however it has a lower price tag. We have its starter kit and robotic kit to make learning micro:bit easy and fun.
Moving beyond block-based programming and to use the wider variety of electronic parts, learning to use Arduino is a good way forward.
Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards are able to read inputs – light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message – and turn it into an output – activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. You can tell your board what to do by sending a set of instructions to the microcontroller (the hardware brain that we can program and get it to do something) on the board. Arduino probably has the most popular microcontrollers among the hobbyists and makers due to its very low price point. Given its popularity, there are plenty of resources to learn to use the Arduino to do all sorts of interesting things.
Among our Arduino products, the Maker UNO offers features that make it easier to use. It integrates different input and output components on the same board avoiding the problem of wiring for the beginners. We have a few Maker UNO products that will make doing Arduino projects a lot more easier.
And the next level up? May be the Raspberry Pi.
The Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote teaching of basic computer science in schools and in developing countries. It is basically a computer in a small box with a small price tag. Hook up the monitor, keyboard and mouse to it and turn in on, you have a computer that you can browse the internet, type documents, play videos, etc. The original model became far more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for uses such as robotics. Unlike the normal computer, the Raspberry Pi is a computer with hardware interface (the general purpose input output, GPIO) to directly connect to all sorts electronic components as sensors or actuators. Being a computer, it is easy to use the Raspberry Pi to deal with camera and microphone in projects such as face recognition and speech recognition. This makes it an all-in-one solution to many interesting projects.
We have brought in the three most popular electronic brains (micro:bit, Arduino and Raspberry Pi) in our store. These are the microcontrollers that you can easily find abundance of learning resources online.
Some of our STEM products are current on sale in Cubes 117/118 in SCG Pavilion, Gadong Mall, until the end of this month. They will conti ur to be available in our online shop.
It will be faster if you lube it
Have you been lubricating your cubes? We have in stock a good selection of speedcube lubes. There are lubes with different properties and for different parts of a cube.
A butcher sharpens his knife every so often, even in a day. A swordman sharpens his sword before going for a battle.
Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.
“What are you doing?” you ask.
“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”
“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”
“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”‘Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”
“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”– Stephen R. Covey (2016). “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change”, p.363, Mango Media Inc.
A speedcuber lubes his cube. If you are finding your cubes becoming stiff, and you can’t speed up, it’s time to lube your cube, adjust its tension or get a better cube.
Check out the lubes in our store.
In the video below from Speedcube.com Australia, Feliks Zemdegs provides step by step instructions on how to disassemble and correctly lubricate your speedcube.
We are accepting ProgresifPAY
We are accepting ProgresifPAY.
Have you been using ProgresifPAY? It is a convenient cashless payment method using simple app – scan, enter amount, hit pay. If you have not, check them out and start shopping the Progresif way.
In an effort to provide more options to Brunei wiz, we have been working hard in various aspects including expanding our product lines and variety as well as providing different delivery and payment options.
We can accept payment in cash (at the shop), bank transfer, credit cards, BIBD QuickPay and ProgresifPAY. At the moment, bank, card and cashless payment options are only available for purchases made on our website or direct messages.
As for delivery options, your order can be collected at the shop or delivered to you by delivery company. With express delivery, you will usually get your order in the next working day, or possibly within the same day!
Check out our products. We hope you will find something from our store to sharpen your mind.
We have in stock from 1x1x1 to 10x10x10, what’s your current level?
We have in stock from 1x1x1 to 10x10x10. So far we have only sold up to 7x7x7.
What’s the largest cube you have speedsolved, physically? How many Bruneian speedcubers play with large cubes?
What’s your current level?
Do you “speed cubing” a Rubik’s clock?
We thought we had all cubes for WCA events, until we learned about the Rubik’s clock. Haa! Is this a “cube”?
It appears to be of little interest to most speedcubers, or have we been ignorant? All the major speedcube brands do not produce this WCA “clock”. LingAo seems to be the main manufacturer for the Rubik’s clock. The Rubik’s clock has been an event in WCA probably due to the fact that it was a product from the original Erno Rubik’s brand.
We are sure there are curious wiz who would like to get their hands on it and solve this puzzle. The current world record for a single solve is 3.29 seconds, and the world record average of 5 is 4.43 seconds. That’s close to the world record in speedsolving a 3x3x3. However, solving a Rubik’s clock should be easier than the 3x3x3. Below tutorial from DGCube is a good one. It’s quite fun to solve a Rubik’s clock.
Do you “speedcubing” a Rubik’s clock? Or, do you speedclocking? Get one and add this puzzle in your collection. Check it out in our online shop.
GAN 251 M and a few new cubes
GAN251M and a few new cubes added to our store. More on their way, including the Thunderclap V3 M. Check out our new arrivals in our online store.
More board games added in stock
We have new board games arrival: Tokaido, Pandemic, Pandemic Legacy Season 1, Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle, Clue Harry Potter, Risk, Telestrations, Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride Europe, One Night Ultimate Werewolf Daybreak and Ultimate Werewolf Deluxe Edition.
Many of them are large in size and will not fit in our cubes. Please order online or directly from us. Check them out in our online store.
We have expanded our board game selection
We are expanding our board game selections. We stock both traditional and modern board games. Playing board games offers numerous benefits ranging from brain workout to developing positive social relationships. Check out our board game selections in our online store.
Board games are simulated environments where players often have to strategically make their moves to react to opponents and the outcomes of taking chances, strike, sometimes cooperate and stand out to become a winner in the potentially adversarial environments that may represent certain real life scenarios. Of course, there are board games that require no skills and are base purely on chance just for fun.
Board games are traditionally made up of a board representing the environment and pieces that represent the different objects in the environment that a player will move or use to win the game.
In the newer board games, the pieces are made of playing cards making them more portable. Cards are easier to print than hard pieces allowing them to represent all sorts of objects with attractive graphics. Most modern board games comprises of hard pieces and cards.
Playing board games can train our critical and strategic thinking skills. It offers more varieties than the playing cards base on poker deck. The wide range of board games offer fun, interesting and varied options to improve our higher order thinking skills or simply to spend time together with friends and family.
To play a board games, we learn to understand rules, follow the rules, patiently wait for our turn, take chance, predict others’ move, plan ahead our moves, evaluate the consequences of the intended moves, remember the elements in the environment that may have become hidden, and sometimes cooperate with other players. There are much to gain from playing board games for both the kids and adults.
Besides all the intellectual gain, playing board games is a great way to spend time together. And, playing a physical board games is a great way to keep ourselves away from the mobile phone or computer screen.
Our board games come from different sources. Some board games may not have turned generic. To avoid confusion, we have indicated with [C] for those non generic board games that we have sourced from suppliers not based in the country of origin of the games.
We have stocked some of our board games in Cube 61 in SCG Pavilion, Gadong Mall. They are taking much space and we have more stocks not displayed in the shop. Check out our board game selections in our online store.
Some of the yoyos we have in stock
We are stocking up some beginners’ yoyos (yo-yos). Check out our yoyo selection.
Yo-yo is a convenient pocket size toy for all ages that can be played in different styles and tricks. If you are not sure what fun can playing yoyos be, you may find it an interesting set of skills to learn if you watch a few of the top yoyo players performing. Below TED talk by the Japanese yoyo performer, Black (Tomonari Ishigur) is a fascinating one; entertaining and inspiring. It is composed with a mix of different styles.
Here’s another one, of the eight time world champion, Shinji Saito. This one is during the 2015 World 2A final.
Yo-yo has different ways of play, called styles; and different tricks in each style. The competition styles are 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A; there are other non competition styles. Based on a neat answer on Quora, the five styles are nicely summarized below:
1a is landing the yoyo on the string and creating layers of string. It’s the most conventional way of playing and most people do it. It’s easy to learn but hard to master
2a is looping tricks. That is basically swinging a yoyo round and round…..but with 2 yoyos. It’s hard to learn and master.
3a is basically 1a with 2 yoyos. It’s also very hard.
4a is offstring yoyoing. It is when the string is not attached to the bearing so you can launch the yoyo completely off the string. It’s a really fun style and it is similar to diabolo in a way but there is much more freedom in 4a. It requires a bigger yoyo because it is easier to catch on the string.
5a is when the end of the sting is not attached to your finger but attached to a counterweight. This means you can let go of the yoyo all together and perform crazy tricks. It’s hard to learn but it’s very fun to do.
Different styles will require different tools, yo-yo. If you have not been successful in trying out yo-yo tricks, may be it is a matter of getting a suitable yo-yo. If you have not try yoyoing, get one and try it out.
