Abstract: A heating system for a component within a compartment of a spacecraft includes a fuel source, a gas generator, and a heat sink. The fuel source includes hydrazine. The gas generator is in fluid communication with the fuel source. The gas generator includes a catalyst. The catalyst is configured to decompose the hydrazine and generate an exhaust gas. The heat sink is thermally coupled to the gas generator and configured to receive heat from the exhaust gas of the gas generator. The heat sink is thermally coupled to the component within the compartment of the spacecraft to transfer heat from the exhaust gas to the component.

Abstract: A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification board with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Abstract: A text generation machine performs a method of generating custom text. The text generation machine accesses a skill profile that specifies one or more skills of a user. The text generation machine determines a set of one or more words based on the one or more skills specified by the skill profile. The text generation machine then generates custom text for the user, and the generated custom text includes the determined set of words. The text generation machine then causes presentation of the generated custom text. A trainer machine performs a method of training a learning machine, based on one or more reference stories, to perform all or part of the method of generating custom text. The trained learning machine is configured to generate custom text based on one or more inputted words, which may be selected or otherwise determined based on a user's skill profile.

Abstract: A set of letter manipulatives and a board on which said letter manipulatives may be placed, where the board comprises an identification module that can identify the letter manipulatives placed on the board and communicate the identification to a computing device.

Abstract: A set of machines functions as a language teaching lab. Configured by suitable hardware, software, accessories, or any suitable combination thereof, such a language teaching lab accesses multiple sources and types of data, such as video streams, audio streams, thermal imaging data, eye tracker data, breath anemometer data, biosensor data, accelerometer data, depth sensor data, or any suitable combination thereof. From the accessed data, the language teaching lab detects that the user is pronouncing, for example, a word, a phrase, or a sentence, and then causes presentation of a reference pronunciation of that word, phrase, or sentence. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A set of letter manipulatives and a board on which said letter manipulatives may be placed, where the board comprises an identification module that can identify the letter manipulatives placed on the board and communicate the identification to a computing device.

Abstract: A system for teaching is disclosed, comprising a symbol identification dock and a plurality of symbol manipulatives, a computing device connected to the symbol identification dock, and a database, wherein the database comprises lexical data and an adaptive learning curriculum.

Abstract: A phonics learning system, comprising a letter identification board and letter manipulatives that may be placed on the letter identification board by a child, and a computing device connected to the letter identification board that identifies the letters placed on the board, generates a phonetic pronunciation for the combination of letters, and identifies any words or misspelled words.

Abstract: A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification board with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Abstract: A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification hoard with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Abstract: A set of letter manipulatives and a board on which said letter manipulatives may be placed, where the board comprises an identification module that can identify the letter manipulatives placed on the board and communicate the identification to a computing device.

Abstract: A set of letter manipulatives and a board on which said letter manipulatives may be placed, where the board comprises an identification module that can identify the letter manipulatives placed on the board and communicate the identification to a computing device.

Abstract: A phonics learning system, comprising a letter identification board and letter manipulatives that may be placed on the letter identification board by a child, and a computing device connected to the letter identification board that identifies the letters placed on the board, generates a phonetic pronunciation for the combination of letters, and identifies any words or misspelled words.

Abstract: A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification hoard with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Abstract: A system for encouraging a child to learn to read, comprising a computing device and at least one physical manipulative, wherein the computing device can identify the physical manipulative and display at least one word relating to the physical manipulative. In an embodiment, a letter identification board with letter manipulatives is included, wherein a child can spell out a word on the letter identification board and the computing device shows an animation of the physical manipulative performing the action indicated by the word.

Abstract: A phonics learning system, comprising a letter identification board and letter manipulatives that may be placed on the letter identification board by a child, and a computing device connected to the letter identification board that identifies the letters placed on the board, generates a phonetic pronunciation for the combination of letters, and identifies any words or misspelled words.

Abstract: A system for teaching is disclosed, comprising a symbol identification dock and a plurality of symbol manipulatives, a computing device connected to the symbol identification dock, and a database, wherein the database comprises lexical data and an adaptive learning curriculum.