Raspberry Pi Pod and micro:bit base

3D printing, Compute Module, Outreach, Research, Science

Raspberry Pi Compute Module-powered CubeSat mock-up used in classrooms

by Michael Horne • 21 July 2016 • 0 Comments

NASA has taken the Raspberry Pi Compute Module, developed their own host board, added a few other components, and created the Pi-Sat (the innards of which are displayed in the picture above). The Pi-Sat is being used in classrooms to teach students about these small satellites and to allow them to experiment with programming the ‘fake’ satellite to take readings and send data. Although the 3D-printed case (pictured below) for the Pi-Sat means that it is unlikely to ever actually make it into space, NASA hopes that to engage youngsters in this exciting industry. Read more here.

NASA_Pi_Sat_img02_wvaqdm

Books, Games, Magazines, Raspberry Pi Foundation

New MagPi Essentials book focuses on Minecraft on the Raspberry Pi

by Michael Horne • 21 July 2016 • 0 Comments

The MagPi team has been at it again! Edited by The MagPi’s Russell Barnes and Rob Zwetsloot and with contributions from Sam Aaron, Boris Adryan, Martin O’Hanlon and Jasper & Ozzy Hayler-Goodall, their new Essentials book focuses on Minecraft Pi Edition. Covering all kinds of topics including using Python and NodeRED to hack the Minecraft world, this book is sure to appeal to anyone who wants to learn how to program through gaming.

You can download the PDF or buy it digitally from The MagPi website.

Camera module, Nature, Photography, Tutorials, Video

Taking pictures of bats at night with a Raspberry Pi

by Michael Horne • 20 July 2016 • 0 Comments

Martin Mander recently noticed that his back garden attracted bats. Inspired by this, he set about creating a camera that could see in the dark and take pictures of the bats as they came flying in. He repurposed a hand-held drill to provide power and added IR LEDs to illuminate the field of view. He used, of course, a Pi NoIR camera to take the footage. You can read more, and imitate his project, by viewing this Instructable.

Accessories, Geeky Techiness, GPIO boards, Making, Programming, Silliness

Controlling a toy crane from Scratch on a Raspberry Pi using the SenseHAT

by Michael Horne • 20 July 2016 • 0 Comments

Albert Hickey wanted a new project to take to Jams. He’d seen the micro:bit controlling a toy crane so he got hold of one at Home Bargains. He used the SenseHAT as a controller and, thanks to a handy tutorial from Keith he was able to use the HAT as well as hook up a motor controller board. He made the whole thing portable by cramming everything into a box. The programming was done in Scratch! Read more about the project here.

Programming, Sensors, Tutorials

Create an attendance system using RFID and a Raspberry Pi

by Michael Horne • 19 July 2016 • 2 Comments

Over at Circuit Digest, Saddam has written a tutorial that helps you to create an attendance system based on RFID cards and a reader. The code is written in C and Saddam takes you through it all so you understand how it works. Read more here.

Programming, Sensors, Tutorials

Calculate true North using a Raspberry Pi, a GPS and a compass

by Michael Horne • 19 July 2016 • 0 Comments

CodeGirl42 has written a very comprehensive tutorial that teaches you all about GPS and taking magnetic North bearings using a magnetometer. There’s a lot of maths involved, but she takes you through it and then creates a C++ script to carry out the task. Take a look here.