The new pi-top CS & Robotics Packs are among the most versatile and intriguing STEM supplies for engineering and coding. We're now up to the pi-top [4]—the fourth version of this mobile, DIY computer, and over time, students have used pi-top to explore numerous ways of building STEM skills. Whether they're attaching pi-top to a hand-built robot or adding sensing capabilities to their programs, students will experience versatile STEM learning through this Raspberry Pi–powered mini computer. They'll mix electronics and code to create all sorts of inventions—and the new CS & Robotics kits only expand the possibilities. The kits come with all the necessary accessories, like wheels, sensors, buttons, and motors, to allow students to build their own programmable robots and electronics devices!
The all-new pi-top [4] CS & Robotics packs.
The pi-top helps students focus on exploring key physical computing concepts—with a sprinkle of project-based learning along the way. And now, the pi-top CS & Robotics packs empower students to design, code, and create with even more ease than before. Depending on the class size, the packs come with six, 18, or 30 pi-top hardware kits. They also include sensors for light and sound, multicolored LEDs, programmable buttons and buzzers, buildable robotics components, and more. With the portable pi-top [4] as the brains of the system and the Raspberry Pi already installed, it's simple to jump right in to pi-top [4] projects. Plus, the SD card comes with the pi-top OS already loaded.
Once they build the pi-top [4] system, students can explore it independently or combine it with any number of robotics projects. With pi-top's five-hour battery and 65 construction components, it's easy to make a little robot to roll around the classroom. Students could program their 'bot to pick up and move a ball, travel in a specific direction, or sense its environment. Even without the robotics and electronics components, though, students can still try coding thanks to the pi-top [4]'s programmable buttons and screen. Plus, students can access all of the Raspberry Pi's pins and ports, as well as coding lesson plans to explore, with the included content on pi-top's Further LMS platform.
Coding and Robotics, from Beginner to Advanced.
The pi-top CS & Robotics Packs are some of the only educational robot solutions that students can engineer themselves—completely from scratch. Although building and programming a robot from scratch may sound complicated, pi-top's lessons walk students and teachers through the process. To get started, teachers receive training and professional development designed to give them the skills and confidence to implement pi-top into their lessons. All the pre-made lessons have step-by-step instructions, so even "non-techy" teachers can follow along. Plus, the CSTA-aligned curriculum offers opportunities for differentiated instruction based on each student's skill level. All students can use the same components without anybody falling behind.
For beginning coders, pi-top has developed Block-pi, a block-based language that introduces students to the basics of coding. Online tutorials guide students through how to program each component in the kit. They'll learn to connect and control the LEDs, buzzers, buttons, and light sensors, then move on to coding these components in tandem. Block-pi also introduces the concept of coding a robot's servo motors, challenging students to translate ideas into real-life movement. Once they've mastered block coding, students can start using Python to design and construct complex coding projects with the advanced curriculum. At any level, they'll learn coding principles like sequences and loops, identify and fix errors in their programs, and understand how software and hardware work together. Whether in the classroom, library, or makerspace, the pi-top packs help students build STEM skills and explore technology, creative thinking, and more.
The Further LMS and curriculum
All of the pi-top CS & Robotics packs come with one year of access to the Further LMS, where teachers and students can access hundreds of hours of interactive, standards-aligned lessons. The lessons and activities are arranged from beginner to advanced, so pi-top can grow with students as they progress. Although pi-top's pre-built lessons are made to be accessible for teachers new to computer science, more experienced educators can easily create their own lessons or customize existing ones. Along the way, teachers can monitor students' progress and give feedback on their responses, showing students exactly where they need to practice. And best of all, Further syncs with other LMS platforms, like Clever, Microsoft, or Google Classroom, so it's smooth and easy to implement.
To make pi-top compatible with any classroom, Further offers interdisciplinary lessons that combine coding and robotics with many other subjects. Connect physics and robotics while building a catapult and coding it to launch a ball at a specific time. Or merge biology, earth science, and code while learning about smart agriculture. Maybe combine art, robotics, and programming to craft and spin a zoetrope animation device. There are all sorts of options, and all of them prepare your students to enter the real world with dynamic skills in STEM and beyond. To learn more about the pi-top kits, visit our store or contact our team. And, as always, follow us on X (Twitter) and Instagram for more.