This article tells the story of how students at Fernridge School created a digital light display for Matariki using Raspberry Pi computers. Find out how the students created a light display, providing a real-life context for exploring how computers work.
This article provides opportunities to focus on the science capability ‘Engage with science’.
Check your school library for the article from the 2018 level 2 Connected journal ‘Step By Step’ download it as a Google slide presentation from Tāhūrangi or order it from the Ministry of Education.
2018 Connected level 2 ‘Step By Step’
The cover of the 2018 level 2 Connected journal ‘Step By Step’ published by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand. This issue includes the articles Amazing algorithms, The war on weeds, Lighting the sky with Raspberry Pi and Animation creations.
Photo by Wield.
The teacher support material (TSM) can be downloaded from Tāhūrangi (Word and PDF files available). It includes the learning activities – Give it a go!, Understanding circuits and Let it flow – along with related resource links.
Activity idea
Use the activity Measuring humidity and temperature with a Raspberry Pi to help determine whether ventilation helps to reduce dampness.
Related content
Explore resistors further.
The Connected article Amazing algorithms introduces and explains the concept of algorithms with concrete examples from everyday life, mathematics and computer programming.
Check out our entire range of Connected articles here. We’ve curated them by topic and concepts.
Useful links
Find out more about using Raspberry Pi.
The Connected journals can be ordered from the Down the Back of the Chair website. Access to these resources is restricted to Ministry-approved education providers. To find out if you are eligible for a login or if you have forgotten your login details, contact their customer services team on 0800 660 662 or email orders@thechair.education.govt.nz.
Acknowledgement
The Connected series is published annually by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
