The Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer developed in the UK by the Raspberry Pi Foundation with the intention of promoting the teaching of basic computer science in schools.
Caroline Higgins, Outreach Manager from the University’s Merchant Venturers School of Engineering, said “This is an exciting opportunity to give people an insight into the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi, offer a broader understanding of the science behind the technology and how it can be applied in the real world.”
Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, added: “The government’s proposed changes to the computer science curriculum shows the national importance of the skills shortage but there is still much work to be done to inspire young people and engage teachers.
“Informal events, like the Raspberry Pi boot camp, play an important role in educating children in subjects such as electronics, computer science, digital media and engineering. With over 300 parents, children and teachers attending the first two boot camps earlier this year, it is clear there is a huge demand for this type of activity.”
The event aims to provide fun hands-on workshops for beginners through to intermediate level, and allow experts to share ideas with others.
Activities will include:
- A drop-in centre for those who have just got their Pi out the box but don’t know what to do next;
- Workshops on some basic applications for your Pi that you can build in 90 minutes;
- Advanced workshops to build cool applications involving LEDs and an internet radio;
- A chance to meet experts and see what advanced applications they have built.
In addition to the above activities, local web agency, Simpleweb, will be hosting ‘Rails Girls’ a day long Ruby on Rails programming workshop aimed at females.
At the previous boot camps, Luke Plausin, a final year Engineering Mathematics student demonstrated his project, which uses a Raspberry Pi as part of a handheld navigation tool for the visually impaired and undergraduates and postgraduates from the faculty provided a drop-in clinic for beginners.
The Raspberry Pi boot camp will be held at At-Bristol, Anchor Road, Bristol BS1 5DB on Saturday 15 June from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.
The free event does NOT include access to the exhibits at At-Bristol.
Both BCS Members and non-members are welcome.