..and a relay unit..
Beginning to run out of room in the box now! Amazingly the Rav power block continues to provide sufficient mw and voltage level.
Had to dissassemble the Pi 3B to reach the camera connector. Added a double height pin rack for the GPIO to allow access to the pins even with the Astro Pi / Sense Hat reattached.
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Now that the Year 11s are beginning to unpack what is possible with connectivity kit that is new to them, it is fascinating to see how quickly they can comprehend the potential applications – cue notebooks out for initial design diagrams..
Having enjoyed sharing this with Primary School pupils quite a few times, now it is time to see what Secondary School pupils make of it: answer they mastered the Kodu When / Do system at lightening pace then proceeded to apply the Microbit control to make a first-person jet flying game in an impressively quick jump – the sky is no limit to Year 11 Computer Science students!
With some of the new circuitry that I have extracted form old toys being in need of higher current switching than I would like to strain a Pi GPIO with, tis time for a relay or two..
the oldest and most broken MaKey MaKey board is now re-soldered and ready to connect with an earlier item of salvaged switch-gear: the Electric Window unit. Connected coding fun to follow..
Just begun assembling and preparing the parts for what I hope will be a self watering plant mechanism..
Stage 1: take delivery of a battery-powered water pistol, then open it up..
This is our Primary School audio recording of some steps to take to stay safe online..
This base was able to provide 3v and 4.5 v as well as having a useful switch and speaker point.
The connector block is to simplify connecting it up to the Pi / Microbit / Circuit Playground Express
First comes the opening up, then comes the moment of truth: has it got potential for inclusion into a new project?
Consideration must be given to the old battery / leaked battery / corroded connectors scenario as well as the voltage that it will be happy to operate with..
tinfoil is a great help..
There is a distinction between where a child’s toy meets a tool meets a gadget, but there was no need to draw that distinction in today’s Year 11 Computer Science class. After a brief introduction I threw open the wooden toolbox (from Sammy’s Garage – just the thing..) to reveal a smorgasbord of delights awaiting connection and coding up.
