The document provides an introduction to physical computing and robotics, presenting various hardware options for introducing students to computer science concepts through hands-on learning with devices like Microbit, Adafruit Circuit Playground, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Ozobot, Sphero, and LEGO Mindstorms. It discusses the benefits of physical computing for motivating students and supporting collaboration and creativity. Price ranges and target audiences are provided for the different hardware options.

1. Introduction to
Physical Computing
and Robotics
CS4TX Austin
13 September 2017
@HalSpeed @cs4tx
slideshare.net/hal_speed
or halspeed.com

2. 2
Thank You Sponsors!

3. 3
https://www.tcea.org/blog/hurricane-harvey-assistance/

4. “Creating Cool Stuff”
 Sue Sentence, et al. King’s College London
 Physical computing in school
 Motivation through physical computing
 Tangibility supports learning
 Opportunities for Collaboration
 Opportunities for Creativity
4 Source: https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/65615345/creating_cool_stuff_POSTPRINT_to_share.pdf

5. 70% increase in the number of
girls that said they would
definitely choose computing
Source: BBC

6. Micro:bit
 http://microbit.org/
 ~$15
 MakeCode
 Python
 ScratchX
6

7. Third-Party Curricula
Microsoft MakeCode Intro to CS
https://aka.ms/intro2cs
PLTW Gateway:
Computer Science for
Innovators and Makers
https://www.pltw.org/our-
programs/pltw-gateway-
curriculum#curriculum-4
8. Coordinate Grid System
9. Booleans
10. Music and Arrays
11. Bits, Bytes, and Binary
12. Radio
13. Arrays
14. Independent Final
Project
1. Making
2. Algorithms
3. Variables
4. Conditionals
5. Iteration
6. Review/Mini-Project
7. Coordinate Grid System

8. 8

9. Adafruit Circuit Playground
Classic
 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3000
 ~$20
 Not compatible with MakeCode
 Preloaded with Code.org firmware
 Code.org CS Discoveries Unit 6
Express
 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333
 ~$25
 Compatible with MakeCode (beta)
 Not preloaded with Code.org firmware
9

10. Code & Go
 https://www.learningresources.com/
 ~$25
10

11. Arduino Uno R3
 https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Products
 ~$25
11

12. Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
 https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/
 ~$35
12

13. Fisher-Price Code-a-pillar
 http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/brands/think-and-
learn/products/index.html
 ~$35
 Ages 3-6
13

14. Bloxels
 http://home.bloxelsbuilder.com/
 ~$35
14

15. Edison
 https://meetedison.com/
 ~$49
 EdBlocks
 EdWare
 EdPy
15

16. Makeblock Neuron
 http://neuron.makeblock.com/
 $49+
16

17. Dash and Dot
 https://www.makewonder.com/
 $50+
 Code.org aligned K-5 curriculum
 Swift Playgrounds
17

18. Ozobot - http://ozobot.com/
bit
 ~$54
 Ages 6-10
 OzoBlockly
evo
 ~$99
 Ages 8-14
 OzoBlockly
18

19. Google AIY Voice Kit
 https://aiyprojects.withgoogle.com/
 ~$60
19

20. TI-Innovator Hub
 https://education.ti.com/en/products/micro-controller/ti-innovator
 ~$70
20

21. Osmo
 https://www.playosmo.com/
 $78+
 Ages 5-12
21

22. Kano Pixel Kit
 https://kano.me/store/us/products/pixel-kit
 ~$80
 Ages 6+
22

23. Bee-Bot
 https://www.bee-bot.us/
 $90+
 Terrapin Logo
23

24. Dexter Industries
 https://www.dexterindustries.com/
 $90+
 Bloxter
 Python
24

25. Makeblock - http://www.makeblock.com/
mBot
 ~$95
 mBlock
mBot Ranger
 ~$190
 mBlock
25

26. Finch
 https://www.finchrobot.com/
 ~$99
 Grades K-12
26

27. Cubit
 https://cubit.cc/
 $99+
 Ages 6+
27

28. Sphero
 http://www.sphero.com/
 $100+
 Sphero EDU
 Swift Playgrounds
 Tynker
28

29. Jimu Robot
 https://jimurobots.com/
 $100+
 Ages 8+
 Swift Playgrounds
29

30. Quirkbot
 https://www.quirkbot.com/
 ~$119
 Quirkbot CODE
30

31. IBM TJBot – A Watson Maker Kit
 http://research.ibm.com/tjbot/
 ~$150
31

32. Pi-Top
 https://pi-top.com/
 $150+
 pi-topCODER
32

33. LEGO Boost
 https://www.lego.com/en-us/boost
 ~$160
 Ages 7-12
 Designed for home use
33

34. Cubelets
 https://www.modrobotics.com/cubelets/
 $160+
 Grades PK-12
34

35. Marty the Robot
 https://robotical.io/
 ~$169
 Scratch
 Python/C++
35

36. LEGO WeDo
 https://education.lego.com/en-us/elementary/
 ~$176
 LEGO WeDo software
 Tynker
36

37. Boe-Bot and Scribbler
 https://www.parallax.com/
 ~$179
 Grades 5-9
 BlocklyProp
 NICERC curricula
37

38. Root
38
 http://www.codewithroot.com/
 ~$200
 Ages 4+

39. Cubetto
 https://www.primotoys.com/
 ~$225
 Ages 3+
39

40. Kibo
 http://kinderlabrobotics.com/
 $229+
 Ages 4-7
40

41. K’NEX Education Robotics Building System
 https://www.knex.com/knex-education-robotics-building-system-set
 ~$230
 Ages 10+
41

42. VEX IQ
 https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/education/iq-curriculum
 $280+
 ROBOTC
 Modkit for VEX
42

43. littleBits Code Kit
 https://shop.littlebits.cc/products/code-kit
 ~$300
 Grades 3-8
 Curriculum aligned with
 CSTA
 NGSS
43

44. LEGO Mindstorms EV3
 https://education.lego.com/en-us/middle-school/
 ~$390
 Ages 10+
 EV3 Programmer App
 Swift Playgrounds
44

45. Next Meeting
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