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Product Description
Success with Distance Learning
Recognizing that students will adapt to distance learning across a continuum of mastery is key to their success. Developed by educators, our complimentary Distance Learning Playbook offers a variety of customizable learning modalities which makes it easy for teachers, facilitators, and parents to meet the needs of their students.
HOW IT WORKS
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BUILDIncludes a set of blueprints with step-by-step instructions on how to build a working computer. Piper engages kids in a building experience with laser-cut wooden parts, a Raspberry Pi microcomputer, and a collection of electronic wires and equipment. |
ENGAGEOnce the computer is built, kids progress to a series of engaging challenges using Minecraft Raspberry Pi Edition teaching them valuable problem-solving skills. They make their way through a secret mission as they attach each wire and connect each electronic component. |
CODEPiperCode based on Google Blockly's easy drag-and-drop visual programming language is an effective way to teach coding in a tangible way. PiperCode comes with 11 progressively challenging projects to help kids gain confidence through accomplishing physical tasks through coding. |
CREATEOnce they learn the foundations kids are ready to experiment with creative computing. Using PiperCode they can code and create their own projects. It is also pre-loaded with Python for when your kids are ready for an advanced programming language. |
Features
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. 1GB RAM. 1.2 GHz Quad-Core 64 bit CPU
- 9” LCD display with an HDMI cable
- 7800mAh rechargeable battery
- Integrated speaker with amplifier and external volume control
- 16GB MicroSD card including 20+ Piper 3D StoryMode levels, PiperCode projects, and more
- Software updating capabilities (requires WIFI connection)
- USB Mouse
- Micro USB charging cable and wall charger
- 20+ electronic components including breadboards, buttons, switches, LED lights, buzzers, and 25 jumper wires
- 8 square foot laminated blueprint with visuals for assembly
- 25+ laser-etched wooden and acrylic pieces
- 50+ hardware pieces
- Phillips-head screwdriver
Customer reviews
The Piper kit is very well made and has an intuitive build process complete with actual blueprints. My 10 year old daughter didn't require any assistance (although I sat nearby watching her, just because it was cool). In fact, I wasn't allowed to help. She made fast work of the build and kept saying out loud, "I can't believe I'm building an actual computer." and "I just can't believe I'm doing this." What I liked watching was that, although it was easy to build - it wasn't "too easy" because she actually needed to read each portion of the directions, which are very well designed and written. The quick start guide gives the kid the push they need: charge battery/ build it/ start rolling with the software. As a professional, I'm an Instructional Technology Designer (and jr. high teacher), so I'm hyper critical of products that have less than stellar directions for kids. The provided prompts and diagrams are excellent; my daughter was totally engaged and really loved the process. If there's a question on how to do something, the online support features are provided. My kid immediately got things online and began the programming adventure with great enthusiasm. I love that this kit utilizes the Raspberry Pi board - very expandable and there are TONS of fun experiments. The provided software has a look that echoes of Minecraft and will no doubt engage; it provides great tutorials/challenges along the way that requires her to "get her hands dirty" in terms of physical building/install and critical thinking. This product explores some of the more important early fundamentals of computing (binary/circuits/logic gates). The fact that she gets to build the computer frame with the provided hardware adds the kinesthetic magic that as a parent, I appreciate. Kids too often are only consumers of technology - the Piper makes them a producer of technology - Powerful and inspiring. Few tech products do what this cool kit can do, and I mean beyond teaching programming alone - but yeah, it does that too. Highly recommended - it's like a digital chemistry set.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2019
A FANTASTIC build experience
By eyegore on July 18, 2019
The Piper kit is very well made and has an intuitive build process complete with actual blueprints. My 10 year old daughter didn't require any assistance (although I sat nearby watching her, just because it was cool). In fact, I wasn't allowed to help. She made fast work of the build and kept saying out loud, "I can't believe I'm building an actual computer." and "I just can't believe I'm doing this." What I liked watching was that, although it was easy to build - it wasn't "too easy" because she actually needed to read each portion of the directions, which are very well designed and written. The quick start guide gives the kid the push they need: charge battery/ build it/ start rolling with the software. As a professional, I'm an Instructional Technology Designer (and jr. high teacher), so I'm hyper critical of products that have less than stellar directions for kids. The provided prompts and diagrams are excellent; my daughter was totally engaged and really loved the process. If there's a question on how to do something, the online support features are provided. My kid immediately got things online and began the programming adventure with great enthusiasm. I love that this kit utilizes the Raspberry Pi board - very expandable and there are TONS of fun experiments. The provided software has a look that echoes of Minecraft and will no doubt engage; it provides great tutorials/challenges along the way that requires her to "get her hands dirty" in terms of physical building/install and critical thinking. This product explores some of the more important early fundamentals of computing (binary/circuits/logic gates). The fact that she gets to build the computer frame with the provided hardware adds the kinesthetic magic that as a parent, I appreciate. Kids too often are only consumers of technology - the Piper makes them a producer of technology - Powerful and inspiring. Few tech products do what this cool kit can do, and I mean beyond teaching programming alone - but yeah, it does that too. Highly recommended - it's like a digital chemistry set.
By eyegore on July 18, 2019
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2019
Engineering plus coding
By Renee B on October 11, 2019
Watching my two daughters, ages 8 and 11, put this computer together was a treat. No fighting, lots of cooperation. The only time I had to assist was to screw in the speaker, which takes a bit of muscle. There were a few missteps, which, in itself, was a great learning experience. The first step of the process is all engineering -- following blueprints to assemble the housing. The kit comes with everything you need, including a kid-sized screwdriver. I was impressed with the quality of all the materials. As soon as the raspberry pi is connected to the battery pack and the monitor, the computer comes to life. (Note: Do make sure that you charge the battery before your kid(s) get started, because it would be a real bummer if they attach the computer and nothing happens.) At that point, the instructions continue through a minecraft-style game. It begins by instructing the user on how to set up buttons on a breadboard for moving forward/left/right within the game. There is also a mini-mouse, but no physical keyboard. I love that there is a storage compartment in the housing itself where the mouse and other components can be kept. We are still in the engineering part of the process, and I am looking forward to the coding. I think it's brilliant that it eventually transitions to coding in Python, a "real" programming language. I don't know of any other product designed for kids that actually teaches them a programming language used by adults. Great product, highly recommended.
By Renee B on October 11, 2019
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Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2019
Top reviews from other countries
ginger pen
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Amazing customer service experience
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