Required Equipment for All Courses

• Internet Access and a Computer or Tablet to Access the Online Classroom: Course lessons, including videos, are provided via the online classroom. Learning materials cannot be downloaded or used offline.
• Computer Monitor and HDMI Cable: Used to interface with the Raspberry Pi. A television can also be used if it has HDMI inputs. A laptop computer or Chromebook will not work for this purpose as they only have an HDMI-output port.
• Keyboard and Mouse: Used to interface with the Raspberry Pi. A wired USB keyboard and mouse will communicate more reliably with the Raspberry Pi (and cost less) than a wireless model. There is typically an option available on Amazon for $15-$20.
• AA Batteries

Additional Equipment for Specific Courses

• Electronics + Coding Complete Course and Robotics Course: They will need a computer or Chromebook to use in the networking lessons. This can be the same device they use to access the online classroom. An anti-static mat is highly recommended to prevent damage to more sensitive equipment such as the Raspberry Pi camera. Amazon typically has an option available for under $25.
• Robotics Course: They will need a 9v Battery, a USB drive (minimum 4 gb), and a roll of electrical tape. The tape is used to make a course for the robot to track. If you have dark floors, buy white tape. If you have light floors, buy black tape. A USB to SD Card Adapter is highly recommened. It is used in an optional activity to teach them to back up your SD card to their computer. This is a very useful skill to have as their projects grow in complexity.

General Recommendations

• Grades 6-8: Basic Electronics and Coding Course
• Grades 9-10: Electronics and Coding Standard Course
• Grades 11-12: Electronics and Coding Complete Course or Robotics Course

Working with electronics and code requires precision. A small error in the placement of an electrical component in a circuit or even a single incorrect or missing character in the code will cause the circuit or code not to work. While this presents wonderful learning opportunities to improve careful reading and attention to detail, the precision requirement can simply be too frustrating for some students and we encourage parents to use discretion when deciding whether to use this program.

More Information for High School Courses
If you are considering using the program with your high school student, we recommend the following:

• Wait to start the program until their reading comprehension and concept comprehension skills have reached an upper-high school level--this is a rich course with in-depth information.
• Evaluate whether your student has demonstrated an ability to work with precision and pay attention to small details.
• Determine whether your student has developed significant frustration tolerance. A large part of working with electronics and code is troubleshooting. Everyone makes errors when setting up complex circuits and writing code. But it's very important to have the stamina to carefully work back through the project and find even a tiny error.
• Be available to support your student; you don't necessarily need to work through the program with them, but be close by to help them reread a section or double check that they've accurately duplicated the circuit or code laid out in the lesson. 95% of issues students run into when working through the program are results of a tiny error in the electronic component placement or code and almost all of these can be located with a parent's fresh set of eyes.

While larger cities tend to have local businesses that provide in-person electronics, coding or robotics courses, this program will generally be a better choice for several reasons:

• All the courses we offer can be completed at your student's own pace. An in-person class requires everyone to work at essentially the same pace. This can prove frustrating for students who are able to move through material more quickly as well as for students who need extra time to practice particular skills. This program allows for students to complete lessons as often as desired, re-watch videos, rework through activities, and pause when needed for additional practice.
• Our courses teach students to work with real electronic components and real code. Most in-person classes use robotics kits that contain manufactured snap-together parts and proprietary code. While fun, your student won't walk away with many real-world skills. Our courses teach your student to work with the same electronic components you find on electronic supply websites. We also teach them to work with Python--currently the fastest growing computer programming language in the world. Once they've worked through a course, your student will have a broad base of knowledge to continue to learn to work with even more components and code commands as they find niche skill areas to explore. This is a huge advantage!
• Your student gets to keep all the parts for future projects. One of the big advantages to this program is the significant set of electronic components your student will own and know how to use after completing their course. The learning isn't over when the course ends! Your student will be well equipped to tackle novel projects going forward.
• Our courses are significantly more in-depth than the local in-person classes generally available. We are committed to every student not only knowing how to work with a range of real electronic components and useful Python code commands, we also work to ensure they understand the how and why behind the science (and even some math!) of electronics and coding. To see a list of the skills taught in each program lesson level as well as sample lessons, click here.

Curious to see a lesson in action? Click here to access sample videos, activity instructions, and a complete scope and sequence for the courses.

We are an Approved Vendor for the New Hampshire Children's Scholarship Fund (CSFNH).

How to Order:

• Choose your course and click here to submit a request for an invoice.
• Within 2 business days, you will receive an order confirmation email from us and we will send you an invoice via a separate email that you can submit to ClassWallet for Direct Payment.
• Once we have received payment from ClassWallet, we will ship your equipment within 2-3 business days. Equipment will be shipped via UPS or USPS. You will also receive an email with your login information for the online classroom.