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PiperCode

Project 1 of 8

PiperCode Project 1 of 11

Blink


Beginner

15 mins

Grades 3 - 8
Look for the graphic above
to launch the project
INTRODUCTION

Don't blink an eye! Learn the basics of the program editor

This is the introductory project to learn how to use the program editor and programming concepts. Students will build a simple circuit and write code to make an LED light blink on and off.

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PROJECT MATERIALS
PROJECT RESOURCES Concepts Troubleshooting Tips
PROJECT STEPS Get your stuff! Get to know your GPIO's Wire Your LED Pin on Pin off Repeat forever Wait Customize
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PROJECT MATERIALS

Piper Computer Kit
LED (Green)
2 Wires (any color)
Breadboard
PROJECT RESOURCES

Concepts

Students need to understand that each GPIO pin on the Raspberry Pi is assigned a specific number. They’ll learn to create PiperCode programs to control these GPIO pins connected to their breadboard, which will, in turn, control the LED light output. They’ll write a loop that runs continuously, with code blocks inside to turn the LED on, pause, and then turn it off, causing the LED to blink.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • The most common mistakes students make is to have the incorrect pin number in the code. Also make sure that they are first turning ON the pin, then turning it OFF.
  • The code ‘wait 2500 ms’ is in milliseconds where 1 second = 1000 ms. The light turns on, stays on for 2.5 seconds, then goes off. The puzzle piece where 1000 and 25000 are entered is called a ‘variable’.
  • The LED must be inserted properly into the breadboard to work, the short leg (called a Lead) lines up with the jumper wire that is connected to Pin 21. The longer leg connects to Pin 22 with a jumper wire and it provides power to the LED, and that is the one controlled with code.

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PROJECT STEPS

Step 1 Get your stuff!

Take out the inventory you see in the image below.

Step 2 Get to know your GPIO's

The Raspberry Pi has GPIO pins. Look at the image to see how they are numbered.

Step 3 Wire Your LED

Connect your LED and jumper wires to the breadboard and Raspberry Pi as shown in the image below. Pay close attention when connecting the legs of the LED to ensure it is in the correct orientation.

Step 4 Pin On

Drag out a Pin On/Off block to turn pin 37 ON. Then start your code.

Step 5 Pin Off

Drag out a second Pin On/Off block to turn pin 37 OFF. The start your code.

Step 6 Repeat Forever

Put the two Pin On/Off blocks in a Repeat Forever block. Now start your code again.

Step 7 Wait

Add a Wait block to make the lights blink more slowly.

Step 8 Customize

Change the wait time and customize the blinking!

Completed!

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