What Other Equipment Will I Need to Teach These Courses?

The Raspberry Pi used in all our courses (and included in the equipment kits) is essentially a very small, stand-alone computer. To use the Raspberry Pi and complete the levels of the course, please see the lists below for additional equipment needed. The equipment listed is specific to each set of equipment you plan to use with your class (i.e. every set of equipment will require a separate monitor, keyboard, etc.)

Basic Electronics and Coding Course or One Semester Coding Course:

  • Internet access and an Electronic Device to Use to Access the Online Classroom (course lessons, including videos, are provided via the online classroom so high speed internet access is needed; we do not recommend attempting to use the online classroom with a phone due to the small screen size)
  • Computer Monitor with HDMI input port (a television can also be used provided it has HDMI inputs, please note, a laptop computer or Chromebook will not work for this purpose as only very high-end laptops have an HDMI input port)
  • HDMI cable (likely attached to your computer monitor)
  • AA Batteries x2 (these are used in Lessons A-1 to A-9 to power circuits prior to learning to use the Raspberry Pi)
  • Keyboard and Mouse (please use a wired keyboard and mouse if possible. Wireless models do not work reliably with the Raspberry Pi. Visit the Level A Resource List for a list of inexpensive keyboard and mouse options)


Two Semester Electronics and Coding Course:

  • Internet access and an Electronic Device to Use to Access the Online Classroom (course lessons, including videos, are provided via the online classroom so high speed internet access is needed; we do not recommend attempting to use the online classroom with a phone due to the small screen size)
  • Computer Monitor with HDMI input port (a television can also be used provided it has HDMI inputs, please note, a laptop computer or Chromebook will not work for this purpose as only very high-end laptops have an HDMI input port)
  • HDMI cable (likely attached to your computer monitor)
  • AA Batteries x2 (these are used in Lessons A-1 to A-9 to power circuits prior to learning to use the Raspberry Pi)
  • Keyboard and Mouse (please use a wired keyboard and mouse if possible. Wireless models do not work reliably with the Raspberry Pi. Visit the Level A Resource List for a list of inexpensive keyboard and mouse options)
  • A Desktop Computer, Laptop, or Chromebook (this can be the same device the student is using to access the online classroom; in Level C this is used in networking lessons)
  • Anti-Static Mat (highly recommended to prevent damage to more sensitive equipment such as the Raspberry Pi camera; click here to find one at a bargain price; this is particularly needed in Level C)


Two Semester Robotics Course:

  • Internet access and an Electronic Device to Use to Access the Online Classroom (course lessons, including videos, are provided via the online classroom so high speed internet access is needed; we do not recommend attempting to use the online classroom with a phone due to the small screen size)
  • Computer Monitor with HDMI input port (a television can also be used provided it has HDMI inputs, please note, a laptop computer or Chromebook will not work for this purpose as only very high-end laptops have an HDMI input port)
  • HDMI cable (likely attached to your computer monitor)
  • AA Batteries x2 (these are used in Lessons A-1 to A-9 to power circuits prior to learning to use the Raspberry Pi)
  • Keyboard and Mouse (please use a wired keyboard and mouse if possible. Wireless models do not work reliably with the Raspberry Pi. Visit the Level A Resource List for a list of inexpensive keyboard and mouse options)
  • A Desktop Computer, Laptop, or Chromebook (this can be the same device the student is using to access the online classroom; in Level C this is used in networking lessons)
  • Anti-Static Mat (highly recommended to prevent damage to more sensitive equipment such as the Raspberry Pi camera; click here to find one at a bargain price; this is particularly needed in Level C)
  • AA Batteries x6 (these are used to power the robot in Level D; we recommend rechargeable batteries, click here to learn more)
  • 9v Battery
  • USB Drive (minimum 4 gb)
  • Electrical Tape (used in Level D to build a track on the floor for the robot to follow; use black electrical tape if you have light colored flooring, use white electrical tape if you have dark colored flooring)
  • USB to SD Card Adapter (optional; Lesson D-1 activity shows students how to back up their SD card to their computer, click here to see links to adapters)

Most schools we work with use their computer lab to teach these course. As long as the monitors in the lab have an HDMI input, they should work for this purpose. VGA/HDMI adapters are available commercially but tend to be less reliable.

If your school or group does not have a computer lab available, we generally recommend checking thrift stores and pawn shops for inexpensive monitors, keyboards, and mice.