WORKSHOP: Build Your Own Console (Paris West)

_Educational Objectives

This program aims at creating a game console on a raspberry pi platform. Similar to the assembly of a PC, the project will start with the formulation of specifications followed by an extensive search for parts and components to create the system constrained within a budget limit.

_Educational Content

• Specifications : Starting from their desire, the kids  will explore the web for solutions. Introducing the budget and technical limitations we reduce the scope of the project to achievable designs.

• Parts inquest : Searching for parts fitting to the specifications should take one or two sessions. Choices will have to be made and specifications might need to be adjusted slightly to fit with the providers found.

• Hardware Assembly : Critical step of the project making sure everything works and the parts chosen are actually compatible with each other.

• Software programing : Raspberry Pi being based on a linux distribution the install procedure will require fiddling with command lines in the terminal  unveiling a new interface with the computer for the novice programmers.

• Integration and case design : having completed the informatics side of the project the last stage consist in creating the case and customizing the design.

_Validation of the work

The work of the kids can be assessed on three different levels. For the game the major achievement should be to have a presentable game to show to the assembly. Advanced profiles will have additional features to present showing their progress over the week. The robots can offer a second look to the work that was done over the week. Finally the presentation itself will bring the kids to use the soft skills they have been taught over the week.

_Duration

The workshop will take place from 3 to 5 PM leading to an effective teaching period of 35 h From January 2020 to June 2020