Raspberry Pi Workshop | School Workshop

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Practical programming workshop for schools

The Raspberry Pi is a powerful pocket-sized computer that enables students to learn to code with programming languages such as Scratch and Python. It is used for many projects such as building alarm circuits, electronic circuits, robots, and creating file servers, which makes it an ideal companion to learn real-world applications of coding.

This workshop will give students a basic understanding of the Raspberry Pi by getting them engaged in hands-on practical activities. The workshop assumes students have no prior knowledge of programming or coding.

Format

Secondary/Higher: 3 sessions x 1 hr 30 mins
(20 participants per session)

Age Groups

Y9 - Y13, Higher Education

Introduction to Raspberry Pi

What we will cover:

Introduction to the Raspberry Pi: Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It's designed to promote basic computer science education and DIY projects, offering an affordable and accessible platform for learning coding and electronics.

Raspberry Pi Main Components: During the session we will cover the basic features such as the CPU, RAM, GPU, USB ports, HDMI output, audio output, and GPIO pins.

Models and Specification: A brief overview of the Raspberry Pi models including the Raspberry Pi 1 Model A/B/A+/B+, Raspberry Pi 2, Raspberry Pi 3, Raspberry Pi 4, and Raspberry Pi Zero.

Raspberry Pi Computer

Raspberry Pi Zero hardware map

Control an LED

Students will learn how to build a simple circuit to turn on and off an LED using the Raspberry-Pi GPIO pins.

General Purpose Input and Output (GPIO): GPIO refers to the pins on a Raspberry Pi that can be programmed to either input or output digital signals. These pins allow the Raspberry Pi to interact with external hardware components such as sensors, LEDs, motors, and more, making it versatile for a wide range applications.

Powering LEDs with the Raspberry Pi

Programme Traffic Lights

They participant will learn to build a traffic light sequence and how to programme them. This will give the students an understanding of real-life applications of programming. Watch the video below to see what we will create on the day of the workshop.

Programming Languages (Python and Block Programming)

Students will complete the exercise with the Scratch programming language and higher learners will also repeat the activity with Python. Scratch is an easy to use drag and drop block programming language that will help students grasp the basic concepts behind coding. During the exercises the students will learn how we can use programming languages to control the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi.

Scratch Block Programme

Higher Learners

We also provide coding workshops to college and undergraduate university students.

Additional Info

Requirements
We will bring the Raspberry Pis (1 per 2 students), chargers, all necessary wires, cables and circuit components.
The school must provide a computer room with monitors (1 between 2) that has either a VGA or an HDMI input, keyboards and a mouse.

Day Itinerary*

Secondary and Higher

Preparation - We will require 45mins - 1hr to set up all the Raspberry Pis before students arrive for the sessions.
Practical - Introduce and explain all the main components of the Raspberry Pi to students. In particular, explain how the GPIO pins on the Raspberry-Pi function.
Practical - Handout the breadboards, wires, LEDs, resistors and build the LED traffic light circuit.
Practical - Introduce students to the Raspbian Operating System (OS) and the Scratch programming software. Use Scratch to build a simple programme to light one of the LEDs in the circuit for a few seconds, and test it live.
Practical - Add more programming blocks to the programme to light up all 3 of the LEDs (green, amber and red) in sequence. Run the programme and test it.
Practical - Programme the rest of the traffic light sequence and test the entire programme.
Practical - Higher learners will also programme the LEDs with Python and experiment coding a basic light disco.
Demo - On some occasions we will do a short demonstration with our home built Raspberry Pi robots.

* The activities may vary on the day depending on the length of the sessions and the age and ability of the participants.

Cost

Please contact us to obtain a quote or request our price guide.

Checklist

Enhanced DBS Checked Instructors
Public Liability Insurance
Risk Assessments

This workshop is best held in a computer room. We must stay in the same room for all sessions.
Please allow 45mins – 1 hr to set up the room prior to the first session.
The school must provide a computer monitor/TV screen, USB connected keyboard and mouse per pair.
A plug socket is required for each Raspberry Pi.
Which input does your computer monitors require? HDMI or VGA? Please specify this in the additional information section when submitting the confirmation form later.
If it’s a VGA cable, please have this unplugged from the hard drive end and ready to connect to the Raspberry Pis.
We will bring HDMI cables as well as VGA to HDMI adapters.
A computer/laptop with projector/interactive whiteboard or smart screen with sound enabled.

British Science Week, Computer Science Education Week, Engineers Week

This service is available internationally
Anywhere in England
Anywhere in Northern Ireland
Anywhere in Scotland
Anywhere in Wales

Contact VSTEAM Education to book this workshop

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Read our blog post here to find out how teachers can bring coding into schools for free.

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