Building Blocks of the Future: A Kid's Guide to Blockchain

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Fedelyn Wester

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

10

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Creating online books to introduce kids to blockchain, simplify complex tech, inspire innovation, promote digital trust, and combat misinformation, and fill in a critical gap in early education.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

These online books will be available on sites like GitHub, Project Gutenberg Self-Publishing Portal, Internet Archive, Wikibooks, Smashwords or GitBook and licensed under Creative Commons CCO license

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

I will create a series of six (6) digital childrens books. This series of books is designed to tackle several key challenges in educating young audiences about blockchain technology. By breaking down complex topics into digestible, engaging stories, the project provides a creative and effective solution to a growing gap in early education around emerging technologies.

Blockchain and other emerging technologies are shaping the future, but children are rarely exposed to these concepts at an early age. As a result, they may miss out on developing an understanding of or interest in these critical areas. These books will introduce blockchain to children as young as 8 years old in a simple, relatable format. By explaining blockchain through metaphors, storytelling, and colorful illustrations, the books make the subject accessible to young readers. This early exposure builds a foundation of knowledge that can inspire future curiosity and learning, making it easier for children to grasp more advanced concepts as they grow.

Blockchain is also often seen as too technical and difficult to understand, especially for children. Many educational resources are geared toward adults or require prior knowledge, leaving younger audiences without proper educational tools. The books break down blockchain’s core components—such as blocks, chains, and decentralized networks—using child-friendly analogies.

Without early exposure to blockchain and digital security, children might miss out on opportunities to develop interest in these technologies, which are shaping the future of industries like finance, art, and entertainment. Through engaging stories that show how blockchain solves real-world problems (e.g., creating trust between strangers, protecting personal information, or securing digital assets), these books will demonstrate the practical and transformative potential of blockchain. This helps children see blockchain not just as a technology, but as a tool that can be used to solve everyday challenges, encouraging them to think creatively about how they can apply these skills in the future.

In a world increasingly dependent on digital systems, understanding concepts like trust, privacy, and transparency is vital. Yet, children often lack the foundational knowledge needed to critically engage with these issues. Each book in the series addresses the importance of trust and security in the digital world, using blockchain as a case study. The stories illustrate how blockchain ensures trust without needing a central authority (e.g., a bank or government) and how it can prevent tampering or cheating. This teaches children not only about blockchain but also about the importance of secure systems and data privacy, helping them develop a critical mindset toward digital systems as they grow.

The six books will include topics like, keeping everyone honest, making trades (buying and selling) safely, smart contracts (automatic promises), tracking where things come from, keeping secrets safe, and voting in a fair way.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

These children's books will create a long-range conduit for onboarding new users to Cardano.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

I have demonstrated the ability to deliver high-quality content across various media, from digital marketing materials to technical training for pilots. I have diverse experience across industries, including collaborating with major clients such as Cisco, American Airlines, Fastlane, and Google.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone Outputs:

All six manuscripts will be fully drafted with a focus on engaging storytelling and age-appropriate language, all published to a public repository.

Acceptance Criteria:

A reviewer will be able to verify that each of the six (6) manuscripts for the books have been completed and published to a public repository.

Milestone Evidence:

The reviewer will be guided through a summary of each manuscript. This will be documented in a recorded video interview, which will be published via a YouTube link.

Milestone Outputs:

Designs and illustrations will be created to provide visuals to complement the stories. These design illlustrations will be published to a public repository.

Acceptance Criteria:

A reviewer will be able to verify these designs and illustrations have been completed and published to a public repository.

Milestone Evidence:

The reviewer will be guided to a public repository display each illustration. This will be documented in a recorded video interview, which will be published via a YouTube link.

Milestone Outputs:

We will work on the book layout, ensuring that text and images are effectively integrated.

Acceptance Criteria:

A reviewer will be able to verify the completions of these layouts through the public repository.

Milestone Evidence:

The reviewer will be guided through a summary of each layout. This will be documented in a recorded video interview, which will be published via a YouTube link.

Milestone Outputs:

We will publish all six books. This will involve editing each book and preparing it for publishing. Once completed, we will then choose several open-source platforms and other distribution methods to publish the books for free.

Acceptance Criteria:

A reviewer will be able to verify the finished books through the public repository and listed open-source platforms.

Milestone Evidence:

The reviewer will be guided through a summary of each book. This will be documented in a recorded video interview, which will be published via a YouTube link.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Fedelyn Wester: Creator

Kyle Solomon: SME

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The following budget is presented in USD using an Ada cost of $0.30 ($21,000 total):

Estimated Cost per Book: $3,500 per book

Writing and Editing

• Author Time: $1,500 per book; $9,000 total
• Professional Editing: $500 per book; $3,000 total

llustration and Design

• Illustrator Fees: $500 per book; $3,000 total
• Book Design/Page Layout: $1,000 per book; $6,000 total

Distribution

• Platform Fees: $0

Estimated Total Budget:

• $21,000

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

These children's book will address a significant educational gap by providing accessible content on emerging technologies like blockchain. By introducing young readers to blockchain, the books will help develop critical digital literacy skills, such as trust, security, and transparency, which are crucial for navigating the digital age for Cardano and cryptocurrency. The storytelling format makes it fun and stimulates curiosity. Encouraging children to think creatively and critically about technology and its potential real-world applications.

These books will also supports community engagement by offering valuable resources to educators, making complex technology relatable in the classroom, and encouraging parental involvement in fostering discussions about digital literacy at home. By publishing the books on open-source platforms, the initiative ensures equitable access to quality education, promoting diversity and inclusion. The long-term impact includes contributing to a more informed society and paving the way for future projects that explore other emerging technologies or related subjects.