Isaac Computer Science: introducing our Student Rewards Programme
05 February 2020
An exciting announcement today: as part of our ongoing work and support for the National Centre for Computing Education, we have launched a new rewards programme that will see us give away 4,000 Raspberry Pi 4 kits over the next three years!
We are doing this to recognise and reward the engagement of A level students in England as they progress through their studies on the Isaac Computer Science platform. We also want A level students to explore the applications of Computer Science through creating things that are exciting, relevant, and personal to them. Our hope is that the programme will encourage students to make projects, learn about the wider applications of their Computer Science knowledge, and ultimately convince them to choose computing as their future career path.
What is a Raspberry Pi 4 kit?
For those of you who haven’t heard about the Raspberry Pi before, it’s a credit card-sized computer that does just about everything your trusty laptop or PC can do.
This particular kit comes with a Raspberry Pi 4 computer, mouse, keyboard, power supply, an SD card containing the operating system, and a beginner’s guide. All you need to provide is a screen with an HDMI input and you’re set! A detailed starter guide can be found on the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Help page.
How do I use the Raspberry Pi 4 kit in my classroom?
The Raspberry Pi 4 kit, with its vast ecosystem of projects and enthusiastic community members, provides great support and inspiration for students who are studying Computer Science.
The kit provides endless possibilities for screen-based and physical computing projects in the classroom. As well as being able to do everyday tasks like web browsing and word processing, students can use it to build websites, network with other Pis, and work on creative projects like games.
By plugging in peripherals to the Pi’s General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins, students can also explore the physical side of computing. Common projects include building robots, controlling vehicles, using sensors to measure and interpret the world around them, and even designing solutions for real world challenges. If your students need a jumping off point to get started, there are lots of project ideas on the Raspberry Pi website.
The programme strands
- Students complete a special, 10-question, monthly game board on the Isaac Computer Science platform and are entered into a prize draw to win 1 of 40 kits.
- Students complete 20 questions on the platform, and then use the knowledge and skills they’ve learned in their wider A level studies to submit a proposal for a project that uses a Raspberry Pi 4 kit. There are 500 kits to be won before 31 August 2020.
- Students who complete 50 questions on the platform by the end of each academic year are automatically entered into a prize draw. There are 260 kits to be won in August 2020.
A more detailed breakdown of the strands can be found at our new Student Rewards Programme homepage.
How do I get involved?
If you are using Isaac Computer Science in your classroom, you’ll be aware of when students become eligible for the different competitions by the number of questions they’ve answered on the gameboards you’ve set them.
It would be super useful if you could highlight these opportunities as they arise, and encourage your students to participate. Drop us a line if you have any questions.
Thanks and good luck!