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Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids - Second Edition
The Raspberry Pi is a single-board mini computer designed to get more people (particularly children) interested in computer programming. It aims to make programming tools and educational programs as accessible as possible, making it very easy to get started with.
This book will guide you through six fun projects that show how programming can be used to be creative. Each project has clear step-by-step instructions and explanations helping children grasp the concepts easily.
You will start by setting up the Raspberry Pi and get to grips with the Scratch programming language to create simple animations. Gain and put to use your understanding of Python to write simple yet useful programs. Create and play a physical game by connecting it to the Raspberry Pi en route to become aware of a number of other possible uses for a very similar circuit/program. Finally, with an understanding of Sonic Pi, you will create your own music.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Bates
34 books6 followersCreativity and curiosity are the motivating factors for my writing. I want to know and learn more. And when an idea grips me, I'm compelled to write. But writing isn't just about the transmission of knowledge; its that and more. Writing is an act of creativity. It is bringing together multiple streams of insight, knowledge, experience and research in a way that captures the imagination, stirs the soul, and renews your mind. That is what I feel when I write and when I read a gifted author.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 23, 2014
My review of "Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids" by Daniel Bates
http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
This book presents three original projects. There is a Scratch-based project, a GPIO/Hardware project using Python, and a Python-GUI project.
Before reviewing the projects, I would like to comment on a trend found in most, if not all, books dedicated to the Raspberry Pi. It is my hope the future authors of the genre will see that there is no need to include what seems to be a mandatory chapter dedicated to setting up the Raspberry Pi or preparing the SD card with the latest Raspian distribution. A links to the most up-to-date Raspberry Pi Foundation "Quick Start Guide" web page (http://www.raspberrypi.org/help/quick...) does a good job at this and also serves as a good example on how to find information related to hacking away with the little computer that can. Readers would then be rewarded with books entirely focused on projects. To finish on this rant, I was glad that there was no 'Python 101' pre-introductory chapter that also plague several Raspberry Pi books.
Now that I've almost fallen into the trap I was criticizing, let's get down to the projects business. The first project is about programming an Angry Birds type of game. This one reviews the Scratch interface (good job at keeping it down to three pages) and the various components of making a video game. Those seeking a quick step-by-step recipe might be in for a disappointment as the instructions are focused on designing the functionalities of the game. This is a good base for learning how to design a program. I will most likely end up using some of this material to teach my own students.
I really liked the 'Testing Your Speed' project. This one will end up in my own lesson planning. This project exploits the Pi's GPIO pins by building a controller made out of office materials such as paper clips and fasteners and sticky tape. I liked that apart from obtaining male-to-female wire and/or a Pi Cobbler breakout board and a prototyping breadboard, there was no need to order other components. However, the chapter's layout would benefit from clear and obvious warnings regarding the dangers of shorting the wrong pins on the GPIO ports as it looks rather diluted within the bulk of the copy.
Finally, the last project is about making an interactive map using Python and its GUI modules. The project relies on using the Google Maps API to obtain mapping data. A list of widgets presented at the end of the chapter outlines valuable extension potential from this project.
While I do not recommend this book to elementary school age kids, I definitely recommend it their teachers and parents seeking to support them in learning how to code.
http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
This book presents three original projects. There is a Scratch-based project, a GPIO/Hardware project using Python, and a Python-GUI project.
Before reviewing the projects, I would like to comment on a trend found in most, if not all, books dedicated to the Raspberry Pi. It is my hope the future authors of the genre will see that there is no need to include what seems to be a mandatory chapter dedicated to setting up the Raspberry Pi or preparing the SD card with the latest Raspian distribution. A links to the most up-to-date Raspberry Pi Foundation "Quick Start Guide" web page (http://www.raspberrypi.org/help/quick...) does a good job at this and also serves as a good example on how to find information related to hacking away with the little computer that can. Readers would then be rewarded with books entirely focused on projects. To finish on this rant, I was glad that there was no 'Python 101' pre-introductory chapter that also plague several Raspberry Pi books.
Now that I've almost fallen into the trap I was criticizing, let's get down to the projects business. The first project is about programming an Angry Birds type of game. This one reviews the Scratch interface (good job at keeping it down to three pages) and the various components of making a video game. Those seeking a quick step-by-step recipe might be in for a disappointment as the instructions are focused on designing the functionalities of the game. This is a good base for learning how to design a program. I will most likely end up using some of this material to teach my own students.
I really liked the 'Testing Your Speed' project. This one will end up in my own lesson planning. This project exploits the Pi's GPIO pins by building a controller made out of office materials such as paper clips and fasteners and sticky tape. I liked that apart from obtaining male-to-female wire and/or a Pi Cobbler breakout board and a prototyping breadboard, there was no need to order other components. However, the chapter's layout would benefit from clear and obvious warnings regarding the dangers of shorting the wrong pins on the GPIO ports as it looks rather diluted within the bulk of the copy.
Finally, the last project is about making an interactive map using Python and its GUI modules. The project relies on using the Google Maps API to obtain mapping data. A list of widgets presented at the end of the chapter outlines valuable extension potential from this project.
While I do not recommend this book to elementary school age kids, I definitely recommend it their teachers and parents seeking to support them in learning how to code.
May 7, 2014
I was sent a review copy of this book by the publisher, Packt. As usual, however, this will be an impartial review.
Raspberry Pi Projects for kids is a slim volume printed in black-and-white by Daniel Bates, a computer science researcher at the University of Cambridge. In the past (though I’m not sure about currently), Daniel has volunteered for the Raspberry Pi Foundation and did a lot of work on early versions of Minecraft Pi Edition. He previously wrote Instant Minecraft: Pi Edition Coding How-to for Packt, the publisher of his new book, Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids.
The book has an easy-going, but very clear, style and has been very well written and edited to be concise but accessible to it’s target audience: kids and their parents.
The book opens with the usual introduction to the Pi and a guide on how to get it set-up. It’s 14 pages long and includes a good troubleshooting guide at the end.
The next chapter is Scratch-based and goes from first principles through to creating a clone of the Angry Birds game. I applaud the author for this chapter. Too often, Scratch programming examples are very simple and don’t go far enough in showing what can be done with the language. Daniel Bates has taken the approach that what kids want at the end is a working game with everything in place. So, he’s even covered getting projectiles acting as though gravity affected them.
The next chapter moves onto Python and into the world of physical computing. Whereas other books go into circuit prototyping with breadboards, Bates has taken a different approach. His circuits are built with cardboard, paper fasteners and paper clips! This is, of course, an entirely valid way of introducing kids to physical programming without swamping them with a rat’s nest of wiring issues. The Python programming is fairly simple but does cover importing libraries and other concepts as well as creation of functions. He also compares some Scratch examples with their Python equivalents, which I think is the best way of showing how you go from the simpler programming language into Python. The program you end up creating picks a random letter and then you press the appropriate ‘button’ as fast as you can to test your reaction time. It’s a really fun example of what can be done with not very much equipment and a little programming.
The final chapter leverages the Google Maps API to create an interface where you have a map displayed and then click on it to identify locations with a circle and a label. It’s one of those weird projects where it sounds like it’s going to be really complicated but, with the magic of Python and the Tkinter module, turns out to be simpler. Bates has very clearly broken down the task into steps and then takes the reader through each step in turn, linking them together as you go. It’s a really great way of building up concepts (like APIs, mouse input and text input) and then bringing them together.
So, in conclusion, I have to give Daniel Bates a big thumbs-up. This is a very well put-together book and it’s written in a style that will appeal to kids and parents. Projects are clear enough and broken down into enough simple steps that it’s easy to ‘do a bit at a time’ and dip in and out when you have time. I have two criticisms, however. First of all, the price for the printed version is £14.99. If you compare this to something like Wiley’s Adventures in Raspberry Pi (which you can get for around £10), it doesn’t come out well. It is also black-and-white whereas Adventures is full-colour. You can download the colour images for the book from the Packt website but I doubt many people will. Secondly, for the price, it doesn’t seem anywhere near long enough. Three projects in a short book does, of course, appeal to kids – it’s a bite-sized book for bite-sized attention spans. But, I feel it could be expanded into a book three times the size.
Those criticisms aside, however, Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids is a good addition to your Pi bookshelf.
I will give it a solid 7.5/10 with the price being the biggest concern (if it was cheaper, I’d be giving it 8.5/10, on the strength of the content). I recommend getting the electronic version which is half the price.
Raspberry Pi Projects for kids is a slim volume printed in black-and-white by Daniel Bates, a computer science researcher at the University of Cambridge. In the past (though I’m not sure about currently), Daniel has volunteered for the Raspberry Pi Foundation and did a lot of work on early versions of Minecraft Pi Edition. He previously wrote Instant Minecraft: Pi Edition Coding How-to for Packt, the publisher of his new book, Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids.
The book has an easy-going, but very clear, style and has been very well written and edited to be concise but accessible to it’s target audience: kids and their parents.
The book opens with the usual introduction to the Pi and a guide on how to get it set-up. It’s 14 pages long and includes a good troubleshooting guide at the end.
The next chapter is Scratch-based and goes from first principles through to creating a clone of the Angry Birds game. I applaud the author for this chapter. Too often, Scratch programming examples are very simple and don’t go far enough in showing what can be done with the language. Daniel Bates has taken the approach that what kids want at the end is a working game with everything in place. So, he’s even covered getting projectiles acting as though gravity affected them.
The next chapter moves onto Python and into the world of physical computing. Whereas other books go into circuit prototyping with breadboards, Bates has taken a different approach. His circuits are built with cardboard, paper fasteners and paper clips! This is, of course, an entirely valid way of introducing kids to physical programming without swamping them with a rat’s nest of wiring issues. The Python programming is fairly simple but does cover importing libraries and other concepts as well as creation of functions. He also compares some Scratch examples with their Python equivalents, which I think is the best way of showing how you go from the simpler programming language into Python. The program you end up creating picks a random letter and then you press the appropriate ‘button’ as fast as you can to test your reaction time. It’s a really fun example of what can be done with not very much equipment and a little programming.
The final chapter leverages the Google Maps API to create an interface where you have a map displayed and then click on it to identify locations with a circle and a label. It’s one of those weird projects where it sounds like it’s going to be really complicated but, with the magic of Python and the Tkinter module, turns out to be simpler. Bates has very clearly broken down the task into steps and then takes the reader through each step in turn, linking them together as you go. It’s a really great way of building up concepts (like APIs, mouse input and text input) and then bringing them together.
So, in conclusion, I have to give Daniel Bates a big thumbs-up. This is a very well put-together book and it’s written in a style that will appeal to kids and parents. Projects are clear enough and broken down into enough simple steps that it’s easy to ‘do a bit at a time’ and dip in and out when you have time. I have two criticisms, however. First of all, the price for the printed version is £14.99. If you compare this to something like Wiley’s Adventures in Raspberry Pi (which you can get for around £10), it doesn’t come out well. It is also black-and-white whereas Adventures is full-colour. You can download the colour images for the book from the Packt website but I doubt many people will. Secondly, for the price, it doesn’t seem anywhere near long enough. Three projects in a short book does, of course, appeal to kids – it’s a bite-sized book for bite-sized attention spans. But, I feel it could be expanded into a book three times the size.
Those criticisms aside, however, Raspberry Pi Projects for Kids is a good addition to your Pi bookshelf.
I will give it a solid 7.5/10 with the price being the biggest concern (if it was cheaper, I’d be giving it 8.5/10, on the strength of the content). I recommend getting the electronic version which is half the price.
May 7, 2014
The book is compact, around 100 pages long and I believe aims to introduce kids to programming via the Raspberry Pi.
The chapters are as follows :
Setting up your Pi: This chapter is essential so that you get introduced to the Pi and also make sure that all is well with setting it up.
The chapters are as follows :
Setting up your Pi: This chapter is essential so that you get introduced to the Pi and also make sure that all is well with setting it up.
Introduction to Scratch : This chapter is a nice introduction to Scratch. And I particularly loved the example project “Making Your Own Angry Birds Game” , which most kids will relate to (I mean even us Adults !)
Testing Your Speed : I thought this chapter was the best. It combined the Raspberry Pi with a little project to build your own Hardware controller out of the most simple pieces of stationery and wire. The hardware controller was then used to write a game in Python, the code working with the GPIO pins on the Raspberry Pi. If the kids get this chapter, I think they will have a riot of ideas and will be able to adapt this application to several other scenarios from daily lives.
Google Maps : The last chapter was an introduction to writing a program that integrates with Google Maps for your local area.
To use the projects in the book, it is important that you do have a Raspberry Pi with you, setup with an internet connection. I do not believe that the kids need to have a programming background to pick up stuff, though some of the Python code does require an experienced programmer to explain things to them. In my opinion, the ideal age for kids in this book is around the 10-14 age group.
Overall, this is a great book to introduce kids to Raspberry Pi and software/programming languages like Scratch and Python. I believe by mixing both hardware, graphical programming language and a text based programming language, it provides a flavor for everything to the budding programmer of tomorrow and is bound to help kids start thinking in multiple directions.
October 8, 2015
This book is great for an introduction to the Raspberry Pi
The book begins with the installation process of the operating system on the memory card and also a list of the most common difficulties and their solution. On all the chapters the text offers the basic information needed but also links external references for extra information on the topics covered.
After the Raspberry Pi is working properly, we meet Scratch, a graphic language that allows you to make your first programs assembling graphic blocks like with LEGO. This way you don't have to care about writing code properly. There is no code to write, you just assemble the orders to form a program. With Scratch you begin with simple animations and after that you make your own Angry Birds Game.
On the next chapter you use Python. Python is a language with an easy syntax that has much more possibilities that Scratch. You will use structures like IF-ELSE to make branches in your programs to reach new heights in your programming skills. Then you use a physical controller to interact with the Raspberry Pi board to broaden even more the possibilities.
After that you interact with external resources like Google Maps to make an interactive map of your city.
The last chapter moves in a different direction to use Sound in the Raspberry Pi to see new opportunities.
As I said before, this book is great for introduction to the possibilities of the Raspberry Pi board and also offers branches to new sources of information to broaden the knowledge on the topic. Very clearly written and explained.
The book begins with the installation process of the operating system on the memory card and also a list of the most common difficulties and their solution. On all the chapters the text offers the basic information needed but also links external references for extra information on the topics covered.
After the Raspberry Pi is working properly, we meet Scratch, a graphic language that allows you to make your first programs assembling graphic blocks like with LEGO. This way you don't have to care about writing code properly. There is no code to write, you just assemble the orders to form a program. With Scratch you begin with simple animations and after that you make your own Angry Birds Game.
On the next chapter you use Python. Python is a language with an easy syntax that has much more possibilities that Scratch. You will use structures like IF-ELSE to make branches in your programs to reach new heights in your programming skills. Then you use a physical controller to interact with the Raspberry Pi board to broaden even more the possibilities.
After that you interact with external resources like Google Maps to make an interactive map of your city.
The last chapter moves in a different direction to use Sound in the Raspberry Pi to see new opportunities.
As I said before, this book is great for introduction to the possibilities of the Raspberry Pi board and also offers branches to new sources of information to broaden the knowledge on the topic. Very clearly written and explained.
July 20, 2014
Review - "Raspberry pi projects for kids" - Daniel Bates
Finished reading the book
After introducing the Raspberry Pi computer and showing us how to set it up, this book guides us through three separate mini projects. Each project is fun, visual, and has plenty of scope for personalization. Obviously all the projects in this book require a raspberry pi and all necessary peripherals.
After the first chapter where we learn all about setting up the raspberry pi, the second chapter dives into actual projects. We learn how to create our own Angry birds game and come to terms with the Scratch programming language. Next we use Python to create the game by using an electronic circuit as the game controller and used code to detect when the buttons were being pressed. It concludes by teaching us to create an interactive map with Python.
Overall this book is good to get you interested in Raspberry Pi and give you an idea of its potential. Alongside that we get to learn two programming languages as well. Go give it a read.
Get the book here - http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
Finished reading the book
After introducing the Raspberry Pi computer and showing us how to set it up, this book guides us through three separate mini projects. Each project is fun, visual, and has plenty of scope for personalization. Obviously all the projects in this book require a raspberry pi and all necessary peripherals.
After the first chapter where we learn all about setting up the raspberry pi, the second chapter dives into actual projects. We learn how to create our own Angry birds game and come to terms with the Scratch programming language. Next we use Python to create the game by using an electronic circuit as the game controller and used code to detect when the buttons were being pressed. It concludes by teaching us to create an interactive map with Python.
Overall this book is good to get you interested in Raspberry Pi and give you an idea of its potential. Alongside that we get to learn two programming languages as well. Go give it a read.
Get the book here - http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews