Biological

The purpose of LittleBits is for children to learn about electronics through tinkering and with a hands on approach. They are also colored and styled in a way that make them appealing to both males and females. Each component of the toy also easily snap together with magnets so that the product can be easily played with rather than fiddling with wires and circuit boards. There had not been much information on how women and men would use the product differently because the purpose behind it is design oriented and there were so many potential combinations that it would be hard to track the differences in uses. (Anderson, 2016).

Social

Currently in the market there are circuit products such as Circuit Circus that displays only male characters on the box, while LittleBits changes that norm with toys that appeal and advertise to both genders. This product has the potential to reduce the gender gap in the STEM field with a product that girls and boys could enjoy and learn from. This product was only recently launched in 2011 so there has not been much study on the impact this product would cause on society. (Electronics & Electricity)

Cultural

Modern societal norms expect women to dislike and use technology less frequently compared to males. In this study about the views each gender had towards technology found that there was a statistically significant correlation between gender and technology use. At the conclusion of the study it was found that males more frequently used electronic sources for information while women preferred using other resources and had more difficulty finding information. (Gender Differences in Use of Electronic Resources in University Libraries of Adamawa State, Nigeria, 2011)

One of the main goals of LittleBits was to address the gender gap and encourage both boys and girls to enjoy and learn from the use of electronics. To tackle this problem the toys were designed with gender neutral colors and provided a low level of difficulty to begin tinkering with the product, which reduces discouragement with tedious wires or circuit boards. The exterior is also aesthetically pleasing that is inviting to boys and girls. The end goal of the product is to shatter the perception that electronics are only for boys and even the playing field for girls so that they can enjoy electronics and reap the benefits from tinkering with the toy as well. (Anderson, 2016)

Economic

Women outnumber men in graduation rates out of college, yet they only make up a fourth of the technology industry’s work force. (Gilpin, 2014) There is still a gender gap as of today but it is most apparent in the technological industry. To counter act this statistic, LittleBits was developed to encourage both girls and boys to become interested in the STEM field. Both genders can economically gain from tinkering and interacting with this electrical toy, but girls have the most to gain from their underrepresentation in STEM. As a whole this product helps encourage girls to play with technology and science related toys that build their interest in these subjects rather than discouraging them.

Political

Women are just as present in the labor force but are paid significantly less than men and that needs to change through many means, and one of them should be political. There has been progress made on reducing the gender gap but the gap still exists. (Riefberg, 2016). It is only in the benefit of politicians to improve the economy through fair and equal treatment of females and males. LittleBits is one product that could help foster this needed change, but more needs to be done politically as well.

Educational

The majority of intended users of LittleBits is for children around elementary school age to teach them about electronics and problem solving. LittleBits at face value teaches children about connecting electrical components and learning how they interact together. Below its facade LittleBits teaches kids to tinker and develop an interest in the STEM field. It teaches children that toys do not have to be categorized by gender but rather include everyone because both genders can benefit equally from it. (Anderson, 2016)