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Lab Notes

CodeBot Haunted House Challenge: A Spooky, Python-filled Adventure!

CodeBot Haunted House Challenge: A Spooky, Python-filled Adventure!

Update: Haunted Code Chronicles activity is live! One of our guidelines when we first dreamt up our virtual robotics environment was to avoid it fe...
The Incredible Helix Line Follower Track

The Incredible Helix Line Follower Track

Author: Curt Werline, Firia Design Engineer Are you tired of the same old two-dimensional line follower track for Firia Labs CodeBot?  Well you'...
Updated OLED Display software for CB3

Updated OLED Display software for CB3

Updates for CB3 A popular accessory for the CodeBot expansion port is a display. Our OLED Display modules are a great option, and there are instruc...
Back to School Checklist for your Firia Labs teaching

Back to School Checklist for your Firia Labs teaching

School is back in session!  Make sure you classroom is ready to go with these helpful tips from Firia Labs!
CodeX Wet Paint App

CodeX Wet Paint App

Ready for a colorful coding experience?

Check out Curt's latest CodeX project!

Use the accelerometer to paint awesome pics on your display.

An Engineer's Personal Letter to Teachers

An Engineer's Personal Letter to Teachers

Author: Kevin Banks, Firia CTO As a nerdy Software Engineer, I could try and present logical reasonsTM why you should attend one of Firia Labs Prof...
CodeX Wearable NeoPixel Glasses Part 2: Programming the Pixels

CodeX Wearable NeoPixel Glasses Part 2: Programming the Pixels

In the first blog of this two-part series, we built a cool pair of neopixel glasses that are powered by your CodeX. Now that the hardware is complete, we get to the fun part: the software! In this blog, we will code up some cool, flashy animations for the CodeX glasses.
CodeX Wearable NeoPixel Glasses Part 1: Making the Glasses

CodeX Wearable NeoPixel Glasses Part 1: Making the Glasses

Wearable LEDs are all the rage! Do a quick search on Pinterest and Etsy and you’ll find oodles of wearable flashy-light projects – from simple jewelry to full LED-infused dresses and jackets. In this two-part blog, I’ll show you how to use your CodeX to control a pair of sparkling NeoPixel glasses.
I2C Displays on the CodeBot

I2C Displays on the CodeBot

The CodeBot has thirteen visible LEDs you can turn on and off with your Python code. You already know that – you’ve been through the awesome Pytho...
A Gifted Teacher’s Journey with CodeSpace

A Gifted Teacher’s Journey with CodeSpace

Nicholas recounts his first introduction to CodeSpace in the Gifted Classroom, and how it can be a key component in bringing the 4 Cs of 21st century learning to students.
Funding Your CS Classroom: 3 Mindset Shifts to Make If You've Never Written a Grant Before

Funding Your CS Classroom: 3 Mindset Shifts to Make If You've Never Written a Grant Before

When I was a kid the community college in my town had a continuing education class called Swimming for Terrified Adults. Not only was the course ti...
Using the CodeSpace Debugger to Encourage Productive Persistence

Using the CodeSpace Debugger to Encourage Productive Persistence

Being able to stick with a task until it is complete a 21st Century Skill. But persistence alone is only half the battle. It needs to be productive persistence. Keep reading to learn how you can use the CodeSpace debugger to empower students solve their own problems.
Using CodeSpace to Build Executive Functioning Skills: 3 Easy Ways to Support Gifted Learners

Using CodeSpace to Build Executive Functioning Skills: 3 Easy Ways to Support Gifted Learners

Coding offers gifted students more than an academic challenge. It can help build executive functioning skills too.
CodeSpace
NeoPixel API: Part 4 - Chase Lights Explained!

NeoPixel API: Part 4 - Chase Lights Explained!

The fourth and final installment of a series on API design with neopixels.

Wrapping up with the amazing neo_sweep() function!

NeoPixel API: Part 3 - a Python Library Module

NeoPixel API: Part 3 - a Python Library Module

Part three of a series on API design with neopixels.

Your new Python module takes shape!

NeoPixel API: Part 2 - Make a Wish!

NeoPixel API: Part 2 - Make a Wish!

Part two of a series on API design with neopixels.

Designing the NeoPixel API of your dreams!

NeoPixel API: Part 1 - What's an API?

NeoPixel API: Part 1 - What's an API?

Part one of a series of posts on API design with neopixels.

Designing an API can be magical - you make a wish, and then it comes true!

How young is too young for Python? Guest post by Vernon Morris

How young is too young for Python? Guest post by Vernon Morris

Thanks to Vernon Morris for contributing this blog post. Vernon has been teaching for over 15 years as both an NYC Teaching fellow and a computer ...
Introducing CodeBot's new Breadboard Expansion - Display Project!

Introducing CodeBot's new Breadboard Expansion - Display Project!

CodeBot has a Breadboard! I couldn't wait to get started with the new Breadboard expansion module. CodeBot brings out plenty of I/O capability on t...
CodeSpace in the Gifted Classroom

CodeSpace in the Gifted Classroom

Jaime Smith has been a teacher for six years and is the gifted specialist for Fayette County Schools in Alabama. She serves students in third thro...
How Python Coding is Changing Career Tech Education

How Python Coding is Changing Career Tech Education

The best part of my job is supporting teachers as they step outside their comfort zone. For some teachers, that means letting their students lead t...
Jumpstart Python Empowers AP Computer Science

Jumpstart Python Empowers AP Computer Science

Check out our AP CSP Alignment guide to see how you can fold Jumpstart Python into your AP course! Additional information on using CodeBot with AP ...
AP AP CSP jumpstart microbit
STEAM Lab with CodeSpace

STEAM Lab with CodeSpace

My name is Jennifer Earnest and I am a STEAM Lab teacher at a Title I elementary school in rural Georgia.  We are very lucky at my school with our ...
CodeSpace
Using a Magnetic Switch - Protected by Python!

Using a Magnetic Switch - Protected by Python!

Magnetic switches are popular peripherals you can even find at your local hardware store. Whether you're making a DIY security system, trying to count how many times a door is opened during a day, or building the notorious fridge alarm, this project will show you the way!

Check out the demo video at: https://youtu.be/ks6JoeQ71Zg

microbit peripherals in python