Piper Computer Premium Curriculum
Build the Piper Computer
Tools & Applications
- Piper Computer Kit
- Blueprint
- Spare Parts Kits/Coins
STUDENTS WILL
Discover Electronics
Tools & Applications
- Piper Computer Kit Software: StoryMode
- Electrical components
i.e. breadboards, jumper wires
STUDENTS WILL
Learn to Code
Tools & Applications
- Piper Computer Kit Software: StoryMode
- Electrical components
i.e. LEDs & mini breadboards
STUDENTS WILL
Extend Student Understanding with Design Thinking
Tools & Applications
- MiniGames
(StoryMode moons) - Creative Mode
- PiperCode: Build Games
- My Projects
(PiperCode programming environment)
STUDENTS WILL
Deconstruct & Reflect
Tools & Applications
- Piper Computer Kit
- Blueprint
- Inventory Checklist
STUDENTS WILL
WHAT LEARNING OUTCOMES CAN YOU EXPECT WITH PIPER?
After Piper, students will know and be able to do the following:
Build a computer with the parts provided by reading exploded diagrams on an engineering blueprint
Learn about circuits and electrical components to connect complex circuits with simulations in Piper's StoryMode (our custom-built version of the Raspberry Pi Edition of Minecraft)
Connect circuits with the Raspberry Pi, breadboards, and jumper wires to learn about electronics and conductivity
Discover commonly used inputs and outputs (buttons, switches, LED lights and buzzers)
Understand binary states and both series and parallel circuits
Write code to solve problems using a block-based language (Blockly) in PiperCode
Explore computational thinking and view the relationship between visual and text-based programming languages.​
Program physical devices and interactive games using Blockly in PiperCode
Specifically, students will:
Review key electronics and programming understandings
Understand how to use design thinking to solve problems
Practice critical thinking
Explore computational thinking practices by completing prompts, creating code, or debugging and remixing base projects.
Express creativity by designing and creating their own projects
Extending and transitioning between block-based and text-based languages