Level A Lessons: Building Circuits & Beginning Programming

These lessons starts at the very beginning teaching you how to work with electrical components, build circuits, use a Raspberry Pi, and write code in Python. 

• Learn how electricity and electrical equipment work
• Learn to properly use common electrical components that make up circuits including breadboards, batteries, LEDs, resistors, jumper wires, and switches
• Build both series and parallel circuits and understand how to use Ohm's Law when designing circuits
• Practice systematic troubleshooting techniques including half-splitting
• Learn to read schematic drawings
• Learn to use a Raspberry Pi (a mini computer) including connecting it to peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.) as well as downloading files and software updates
• Learn to use several included software packages including Raspbian OS, Nano, and Thonny
• Learn to to create basic Python programs including comments, merging strings, user input, mathematical functions, lists, if/else statements, and loops to control electrical circuits and create games
• Learn to identify and correct errors in Python computer programs
• Gain the skills to independently tackle advanced projects found online

Curious to see a lesson in action? Click here to view sample lesson videos, activity instructions, and a scope and sequence for this course.

Please note, this course is only available without a Raspberry Pi included. If you choose to purchase the course, you must have a working Raspberry Pi Model 3B or 3B+ on hand as it is required to complete the course. Only Models 3B and 3B+ are compatible. All other models are not compatible.

In addition to Online Classroom access and the equipment kit you'll receive with your order, you will need:

• Raspberry Pi Model 3B or Model 3B+ (this course is only available to purchase without a Raspberry Pi included; if you purchase the course, you will need to ensure you have a working Model 3B or 3B+ on hand to complete the course, other models are not compatible)
• Internet access and an Electronic Device to Use to Access the Online Classroom (course lessons, including videos, are provided via the online classroom so high speed internet access is needed; we do not recommend attempting to use the online classroom with a phone due to the small screen size)
• Computer Monitor (a television can also be used provided it has HDMI inputs, please note, a laptop computer will not work for this purpose)
• HDMI cable (likely attached to your computer monitor)
• AA Batteries x2 (these are used in Lessons A-1 to A-9 to power circuits prior to learning to use the Raspberry Pi)
• Keyboard and Mouse (please use a USB wired keyboard and mouse if possible. Wireless models do not work reliably with the Raspberry Pi. We suggest purchasing the least costly wired USB mouse and keyboard set available--there is typically an option available on Amazon for $15-$20)

There are 18 lessons in Level A and we recommend planning on spending 45-60 minutes to complete each lesson.

We recommend aiming to complete 1-2 lessons per week. A single level will take 9-18 weeks to complete depending on lesson frequency.

If you decide to continue past Level A, please note the concepts taught in the Level B lessons are more complex than Level A, so parents of younger students should consider slowing down lesson frequency to perhaps once per week. This would allow the student to complete the lesson more than once if needed and to practice the new skills prior to moving on to the next lesson.

Middle school students should aim to complete the Level A and B lessons in 1+ school year (we strongly encourage moving at your child's individual pace--there's plenty of time to complete all four levels!)

High school students can aim to complete the level A and B lessons over the course of a school semester if desired. Extra time outside of lessons should be built in to allow the student to practice skills between lessons. We recommend high school students schedule 3-4 hours a week to complete Levels A-B in a single semester.

We are thrilled to help! Contact us via email and we will help you get back on the right track.

Yes! The Raspberry Pi operating system tends to change fairly regularly. Sometimes the changes are minor, such as moving a menu item, and sometimes the changes are major, such as process changes. As we learn of changes to the Raspberry Pi OS, modules, repository libraries or any other resources used in the course, we will update the online classroom ASAP. When accessing the materials through the online classroom, you will always have access to the most up-to-date version of the lesson materials.

We teach Python for a couple of reasons:

• Python is currently the fastest growing computer language. Companies such as YouTube, Dropbox, Google, Quora, Instagram, Spotify, Reddit, and Yahoo Maps used Python to build their platforms. While programming languages tend to come and go over time, Python is well rooted and is likely to be a popular language for many years.
• Python is particularly well suited to beginners. The code is intuitive and easy to read. It also requires far fewer lines of code to accomplish tasks compared to other popular languages such as C++ and Java.
• Learning Python first makes it easier to move on to other more complicated languages such as Ruby and Javascript. Have you ever heard that knowing Spanish makes it easier to learn French because they are both based in Latin? The same general principle applies to learning computer programming languages.

Please note, as of August 2022 this course is only available to purchase without a Raspberry Pi included. If you choose to do so, you must have a working Raspberry Pi Model 3B or 3B+ on hand as it is required to complete the course. Only Models 3B and 3B+ are compatible. All other models are not compatible.

Our course uses a Raspberry Pi Model 3B or 3B+ as it is by far the best model for electronics and robotics projects. We do get questions from users about the newly released Raspberry Pi 4 however it's important to understand that newer isn't always better. Which model will best suit your needs is largely dependent on what you will use the Pi for (robotics projects vs. a personal computer replacement for example) and also your personal skill level. The primary issue with a Pi4 is that it has very high power requirements. It needs to be plugged into a wall as a standard battery pack won't meet it's needs. It really isn't any fun to have a robot that has to be plugged in though. Click here to read more about the differences between the Pi 3B and the Pi 4 including why the Pi 3B is a superior choice for electronics and robotics projects, especially for beginner and intermediate users.