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Design expedition

Mission 2 of 2

Design expedition: Mission 2 of 2

Light Show Animation


Intermediate

1 hour

Grades 3 - 8
MISSION OBJECTIVE

Learn how to use light show bitmaps in a sequence to create an animation like those used in films or cybersecurity.

Piperbot and Pip are trying to say hello to the Master Maker’s City! Write a scrolling message with your Light Show, and create interesting animations that, when looped, create animations and motion with lights.

View student interface at make.playpiper.com
MISSION CHARACTERS

Piperbot

Pip

Scientist
Meet
the Cast
  Print Educator Guide   Student Worksheet    Student Quiz    Support
MISSION MATERIALS
MISSION RESOURCES Learning Goals Learning Activities Career Connections Hardware Diagram Code Diagram Tutorial Steps Blueprint Troubleshooting Tips
EXPEDITION RESOURCES Vocabulary Words Material Library Standards Alignment
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MISSION MATERIALS

Computer with USB port and Chrome or Edge browser
Piper Make Base Station or Starter Kit
Piper Make Light Show
MISSION RESOURCES

Learning Goals

  1. Students will learn how to create an illusion of movement by displaying bitmaps in a sequence. 
  2. Students will learn the principles of animation: https://lesley.edu/article/the-12-principles-of-animation 
  3. Students will reinforce their knowledge of wait times in programming and how they affect movement, speed, and frame rate.  

Learning Activities

The following sections will contain step by step instructions for ELA, ELD and Math extensions directly related to this mission. Adjust the directions to fit your ELA, ELD and Math standards.

Cybersecurity Extension: Secret Message

Create a secret message using bitmaps and send it to someone else.  

  • Student A will build code with their Light Show and then send it via Google Drive to Student B. Student B can then use the “Import” feature in Creative Mode to upload this code to PiperMake and read it with their own Light Show.  
  • Discuss how this exchange of information is technically end-to-end encryption – as the Light Shows serve as encryption and decryption devices while the intermediate (the PNG code) is technically not readable.  

Career Connections

Demonstrator and Product Promoter: Salary $34,770/yr
Marketing Manager: Salary $140,040/yr
Fashion Designer: Salary $76,700/yr
Web and Digital Interface Designer: Salary $83,240/yr

Hardware Diagram

Code Diagram

Tutorial Steps

Blueprint

DOWNLOAD BLUEPRINT

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

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Why doesn’t my Light Show work when I run my code?
    • Follow the wiring diagram, correctly place the wires, and pay particular attention to the orientation of the Light Show LED Matrix Board in the wiring image. Some of the wires will cross on the Breadboard.
  • Do you have fewer Jumper Wires of the same color than those presented in the diagram?
    • This is okay. Jumper Wires can all be used interchangeably.
  • How do I change the color of the pixels?
    • To change the colors on your Light Show LED Matrix Board, click above or below the text on the pixel grid block, and the color choices will appear.
  • Is the Start button not green?
    • Be sure your Pico is connected.

Our customer support specialists are on hand to ensure your implementation of Piper runs seamlessly.
View Support Docs or Contact Support
Design EXPEDITION RESOURCES

Vocabulary Words

Pixel a shortened form of “picture element”, one of the many tiny dots that make up the representation of a picture in a computer's memory (resolution is the number of pixels)

Color Depth The amount of color used in computer graphics, usually measured in bits per pixel.

Medium The materials used in creating a piece of artwork such as paint, marble, clay, or pastels.

Graphic User Interface (GUI) A way to display information on the computer screen where the user can use a mouse to click on buttons to do things.

Animation The manipulation of figures that make images look like they are moving.

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Material Library

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Standards Alignment


CSTA Framework   Light Show Standards Alignment
ISTE Framework   Light Show Standards Alignment
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