Matt Manning is busy writing a series on using the GPIO pins from Python. This exciting series will use a variety of different components wired up on a breadboard to do projects including the following:

• Turning on LEDs
• Blinking LEDs
• Reading in input from a push button
• Taking other user inputs
• Making a buzzer sound
• Reading a temperature sensor
• Reading a light sensor
• Reading an IR movement detection sensor

He has teamed up with ModMyPi to produce and sell the kit that you’ll need to do the tutorials in the series. This is great value at £11.99 for everything you’ll need including:

• 1 x Transparent Half-Size Breadboard
• 15 x Male to Female Jumper Wires
• 5 x Male to Male Jumper Wires
• 1 x Ultra Bright 5mm Red LED
• 1 x Ultra Bright 5mm Blue LED
• 2 x 330Ω Resistor
• 2 x 4.7kΩ Resistor
• 1 x 1µF Capacitor
• 1 x PCB Mount Push Button
• 1 x PCB Mount Buzzer
• 1 x DS18B20+ Programmable Resolution 1-Wire Digital Thermometer
• 1 x Light Dependant Resistor
• 1 x HC-SR501 PIR Motion Sensor

All you need to provide yourself is the Pi, a screen and a keyboard.

He’s done an introductory video:

… and the rest of the tutorials will follow over the next few weeks.

This really is a great way to get into programming physical stuff and I think it’s brilliant that he’s teamed up with ModMyPi to create the kit. It certainly takes the pain out of making sure you get the right parts!

I recommend following him on YouTube so that you don’t miss any of the tutorials.

You can buy the kit from ModMyPi by following this link.