How I get college students enthusiastic about math with Python and Raspberry Pi

I’m instructing Python utilizing Raspberry Pi 400 computer systems in a neighborhood library for the second yr in a row. A few this yr’s college students haven’t skilled success with arithmetic of their college. One requested me if she wanted algebra to attend our class. I advised her I had failed algebra, geometry, and trigonometry in class. She was relieved. Another scholar rushed within the door a bit late as a result of she was taking geometry in summer time college after failing to move the course throughout the college yr. I shared my very own story of discovered helplessness and my misery on the considered math checks. My personal dangerous experiences impacted my highschool and early school years.

I like Python, and particularly, the turtle module, due to an expertise in graduate college within the early Nineteen Nineties. The train used Apple’s brand to show college students geometry, resulting in an epiphany that utterly modified my perspective towards arithmetic. This week’s class has 4 eighth-grade college students. Two have math backgrounds, and two have math phobias. On the primary day of sophistication within the Olean Public Library, we began with a quick rationalization of the RaspberryPi 400 and how you can join every of these computer systems to outdated VGA screens that got here from storage. I gave the scholars a quick overview and tour of the ports, peripheral mouse, and microHDMI cable we’d use. We proceeded, step-by-step, to assemble the components of the Raspberry Pi 400 items and join them to the screens. We powered up the items, and I assisted the scholars as they correctly configured their computer systems for the United States and the Eastern Time Zone. We related to the library’s wi-fi community and had been prepared to start.

I gave the scholars a quick overview of all of the software program on their computer systems. Then I launched them to the Mu-Editor that comes pre-installed on their computer systems. We reviewed the Read-Evaluate-Print-Loop (REPL). I defined that whereas we might execute code within the REPL, they might discover it simpler to jot down the code within the Mu-Editor after which save their code with a .py extension to make sure that the system might execute it correctly. I defined how our code wanted feedback and how you can add and save them correctly.

# first program
print("Hello World")

Then I launched them to the turtle module. We talked concerning the components of a sq.; that squares are made up of 4 equal sides and include 90-degree angles. We wrote the next code collectively, saved our work, and executed it.

# First Turtle Square
import turtle
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)

I defined how you can change the code and add options like a special pen coloration and a special coloration background.

# First Turtle Square
import turtle
turtle.pencolor("blue")
turtle.bgcolor("yellow")
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)
turtle.ahead(200)
turtle.proper(90)

I launched them to the turtle.form to vary from the default to look extra like a turtle. I inspired them to save lots of every time and to iterate. They had enjoyable sharing their outcomes.

In our second session, I demonstrated how you can use a for loop to attract a sq. and how you can clear up the code by assigning the “turtle” to a particular letter. Then I ran the code.

#For Loop
import turtle as t
for x in vary(4):
           t.ahead(200)
           t.proper(91)

One of the scholars who had skilled arithmetic issues prior to now stated, “That square looks crooked.”

I stated, “You’re right. What’s wrong with it?”

She let me know that my t.proper must be 90 and never 91. I corrected the error and reran the code. It regarded excellent, and he or she was proud to have skilled some success with arithmetic.

We modified our code, and I launched them to new potentialities inside the turtle module, together with velocity, pen coloration, and background coloration. They loved it after I demonstrated how we might simply create a sq. spiral utilizing the next code:

# sq. spiral
import turtle as t
t.velocity(0)
t.bgcolor("blue")
t.pencolor("yellow")
for x in vary(200):
           t.ahead(x)
           t.proper(91)

We modified our code once more to make circle spirals. The college students had been leaning into the educational, and our ninety-minute class got here to an finish. One of the scholars is in summer time college re-taking geometry which she failed throughout the college yr, and every day she runs a block and a half to make it to our class, the place she excels at setting up geometric shapes. She has a terrific eye for element and often helps the opposite college students establish errors of their code. Her watchful eye impressed me to debate the worth of open supply software program and the ability of many eyes on the code with the group.

# circle spiral
import turtle as t
t.velocity(0)
t.bgcolor("blue")
t.pencolor("yellow")
for x in vary(100):
           t.circle(x*2)
           t.proper(91)
t.setpos(60,75)
 
for x in vary(100):
           t.circle(x)
           t.proper(91)

Using Python with open supply {hardware} and software program to facilitate arithmetic instruction amazes me. With a bit of ingenuity, it is doable to reimagine arithmetic schooling. Each scholar who participated in our class will obtain the Raspberry Pi 400 they labored on to take dwelling and use. They’ll must discover a show to hook up with, however for a bit over 100 {dollars} per unit, we’re investing of their future. You can have the identical impact in your group in case you are prepared to donate your time. Public libraries are nice areas for extracurricular actions, and a few of the sources I’ve used as the idea for my courses come from library books. One of these books is Teach Your Kids to Code. Another is Python for Kids and A Simple Turtle Tutorial by Al Sweigart is offered on-line. We used Raspberry PI 400 kits with VGA screens and microHDMI to VGA adapters. You might simply adapt this instruction utilizing refurbished Linux laptops, Windows, and/or macOS laptops.