Speak Like a Machine

MISSION MATERIALS

Computer with USB port and Chrome or Edge browser

Piper Make Base Station or Starter Kit

MISSION RESOURCES

Learning Goals

Students will build two tactile buttons and use functions to convert from binary to decimal numbers.
Students will understand what lists do in code and how they are used to store a collection of information in an organized way.
Students will understand how binary has been used throughout the history of computing and why almost all computer systems are based on binary.

I WILL BE ABLE TO...

Build a two-button translator to convert binary to decimal!
Understand why almost all computer systems are based on binary

Career Connections

Software Developer: Salary $127,260/yr

Electrical Engineer: Salary $127,260/yr

Data Scientist: Salary $103,500/yr

Construction Manager: Salary $101,480/yr

Hardware Diagram

Code Diagram

Tutorial Steps

Speak Like a Machine

Blueprint

DOWNLOAD BLUEPRINT

Have an different version? Look for more information on the Support Page.

Troubleshooting Tips

Are you not receiving any inputs from the button presses?
- Ensure that you’ve plugged the wires into the right GPIO. Look at the Digital View to see which pin you’re affecting.
What is binary?
- Binary describes a numbering scheme with only two possible values for each digit – 0 or 1 –. It is the basis for all binary code used in computing systems

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View Support Docs or Contact Support

EXPANDED RESOURCES

Term Glossary

Circuit A conductive path for the flow of current or electricity.

Power The current or flow of electric charge and voltage.

Microcontroller An integrated circuit containing a microprocessor with memory and associated circuits.

Variables A value that can change depending on conditions or information passed to the program. A storage location with a symbolic name used to keep track of a value that can change while a program is running (similar concept to using X and Y in an algebraic equation). Variables are not only numbers; they can also hold text, including whole sentences (strings) or logical values (true or false).

Input Device A hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing interaction and control.

Output Device A piece of hardware that converts information into a form humans can sense and understand.

View Full Glossary

Standards Alignment

CSTA Framework Base Kit Standards Alignment
ISTE Framework Base Kit Standards Alignment

Resources

PIPER COMPUTER

PIPER MAKE

EDUCATOR PORTAL

ALL MAKE GUIDES

Base

Bonus Projects

Robotics

Gaming

Sensors

Motion

Energy

Design

Make-A-Thon

PIPER MAKE

EDUCATOR GUIDES

Base expedition

Mission 12 of 14