Piper Computer Kits
Each Piper Kit includes:
15 Piper computers (disassembled)
2 10-port charging bricks
1 spare parts kit
15 blueprints
15 batteries
What is Piper?
The 5 Phases of Piper
The estimated time for each phase is 3 hours. Understanding that you may only have a couple of hours a week to devote to the Piper Curriculum, we generally check out the kit to you for a period of 6 weeks.
Phase 1: Build a Computer
Phase 2: Discover Circuitry & Electronics
Phase 3: Learn to Code
Phase 4: Extend with Design Thinking
Phase 5: Deconstruct and Reflect
Resources
Piper Educator's Guide - Piper Computer Kit Version 2
2023 Piper Computer Computer Kit V4 Playbook - Piper Computer Kit Version 4
Blueprint Piper Computer Kit Version 4
Blueprint Piper Computer Kit Version 2
Piper Premium Curriculum Login Page (This is where you will find slides for each lesson) You will receive an account invitation email from Piper to access the Premium Curriculum.
Shutting Down the Computer
Always shutdown the Raspberry Pi when finished with it
Improper shutdown - powering off or unplugging the battery while the Pi is running - can cause the data on the SD card to become corrupted. This is particularly important while updating, but it’s important to always fully shutdown the Pi by doing the following:
If you’re in the Piper software, click on the power icon at the top of the main menu. If you’re on the desktop, click on the Menu bar (raspberry icon)
Click on Shutdown
Wait for the Raspberry Pi to completely shutdown. You’ll know it’s shutdown when the green LED on the Pi stops flashing (the red LED will stay lit)
Power off the battery
Classroom Tips
Batteries 🔋
Keep the batteries at your desk until groups have completed the build and are ready to plug in. This ensures the batteries will remain fully charged until they are needed. Once students have moved past the build into Phases 2-5, have students plug in their battery to charge in between sessions.
Projecting the Piper 📺
You can connect one of the Piper Computers to your projector using the HDMI input on the Raspberry Pi. This allows the facilitator (or select students) to show the class what they are doing on their Piper! To better access the HDMI port on the Raspberry Pi, you can unscrew it from the base of the box.
Be Gentle 💗
We want these Piper Kits to remain in excellent condition so that we can keep sharing them with classes. Please take good care of them!
Careful not to screw in things too tight or you could strip the screws or destroy wooden pieces.
Careful not to lose or step on pieces.
Careful with the blueprint. Do not tear, step on, etc.
Careful to shut down the Piper correctly.
Teamwork🤝
We recommend having students work in teams of 2-3 for this project. If you can, have them work on the floor. This maximizes the surface area available for the materials and facilitates teamwork.
You can create separate workspaces for each group by applying masking tape to the floor. This helps keep materials organized.
Productive struggle: Students should work as a team to solve challenges. They can consult other groups as well. Groups who finish early may help other teams if they'd like the support.
Remind students to refer to their BLUEPRINT or directions.
Remind students to take turns. Depending on which Phase they are in, they may take turns reading the blueprint or directions to facilitate, screwing pieces together, gathering materials, connecting the circuitry pieces or using the mouse.
Reflection 🧠💬
At the end of each session, it's a good idea to have students share their thoughts. This way they can learn from each others' experiences and take pride in their learning and accomplishments. Pair share about:
discoveries
solutions
advice for other students
what was difficult or an issue they are facing
what they enjoyed
appreciate/compliment a team member
connections to content areas
Teacher Preparation
Build a Piper Kit 🛠
We recommend that you build a Piper kit in advance in order to :
experience what your students will.
be better able to ask guiding questions and support students.
be able to test circuitry and coding lessons in Phase 2-4 before doing the lesson with your students.
Premium Curriculum 📚
You can find the Premium Curriculum at playpiper.com in the Classroom dropdown. Login info (for PVUSD staff only).
Depending on the lesson, some helpful resources may include: Slide presentations, quizlet vocabulary, graphic organizer, kahoots, rubrics, guides and walkthroughs.
You may need to know which Piper version you have borrowed. Most of our kits are Version 4, but some are Version 2.
The Playbook for V4, and the Educator's Guide for V2, offer a quick look at the lessons as well as links to guides and other resources.
You can use the Playbook for V2 as well. Many lesson elements are the same, though the appearance of the kits is different.
Productive Struggle 💪
Part of the magic of the Piper experience is the "productive struggle" students will experience. Teachers should be hands-off and teach by facilitating, asking questions and providing support rather than direct instruction.