Physical Computing kit
Physical Kit
We have a range of physical computing kits available to borrow for schools in Norfolk. We also offer short face-to-face and online training courses for the Crumble Kits, BBC Micro:Bits and Raspberry Pi Pico — please get in touch to find out more or to arrange this for your school. If you would like to borrow any of our kits, please make a request using the form below and we will be in touch.
Super Crumble Starter Kit with Crumble Controller, USB & Crumbs
The Crumble is a cheap, easy-to-use electronics controller. A few ‘croc’ leads and a USB cable are all you need to connect motors, LEDs and sensors and begin experimenting. No programming experience is required as the free software is a graphical, drag-and-drop system inspired by MIT Scratch.
Please note that the Crumbles use Redfern’s software which will need to be added to laptops, or the Chrome extension if you use Chromebooks. The free software is available here.
Each classroom kit tray contains 16 or 17 Crumble controllers, 34 sparkle LEDs, 17 battery packs (which require 3 x AA batteries), 17 switches, 17 light sensors, 17 buzzers, 34 motors and 34 chunky wheels.
Quantity: 4 x Classroom Trays (of 17), 7 x Classroom Trays (of 16)
BBC Micro:Bit GO v2 (Microbit Starter Kit)
The BBC Micro:Bit is a pocket-sized computer that you can code, customise and control to bring your digital ideas, games and apps to life. Measuring 4cm by 5cm, and designed to be fun and easy to use, users can create anything from games and animations to scrolling stories at school, at home and on the go.
The Micro:Bits use free online software, compatible with laptops and Chromebooks, available here. In addition there is a Micro:Bit app for use with tablets.
Quantity: 4 x Classroom Trays of 17
Bee-Bot® Programmable Floor Robot
Bee-Bot® is a perfect starting point for teaching control, directional language and programming. Along with a memory of 200 steps, Bee-Bot® can now detect another Bee-Bot® or Blue-Bot® and say hello. They will play a default sound or the students can record their own. Students can also record audio to play back when each button is pressed, making it more accessible to all students, including those with auditory or visual processing needs.
Our Bee-Bots come with the Bee-Bot® World Bundle, a set of 4 Bee-Bot® World Mats with associated activity tins. Please let us know in the Borrow Form if you do not want this included with the Bee-Bots.
Quantity: 1 x Set of 18 Bots, 1 x Set of 24 Bots
Raspberry Pi Pico
A low cost, high-performance microcontroller board built around Raspberry Pi’s very own chip – the RP2040. Raspberry Pi Pico is Raspberry Pi’s first microcontroller board, designed especially for physical computing. Microcontrollers are a different type of device than Single Board Computers (like the Raspberry Pi 4 and previous generations of Pi), they don’t run an operating system and they are typically programmed to do just one task, though that task can be pretty intricate and exciting! They’re perfect for experimenting with hardware and using as the brains of custom devices, machines and inventions.
Each classroom tray contains 10 Raspberry Pi Picos, 10 breadboards, 20 line tracking optical sensors, 20 croc clip wires, 40 LEDS, 10 resistors, 10 buttons, & 10 H bridge boards.
Quantity: 5 x Classroom Trays
Raspberry Pi 3B+
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is the latest product in the Raspberry Pi 3 range, boasting a 64-bit quad-core processor running at 1.4GHz, dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.2/BLE, faster Ethernet, and PoE capability via a separate PoE HAT. The Raspberry Pi 3 B+ has four built-in USB ports that provide enough connectivity for a mouse, keyboard or anything else that you feel the Pi needs. But if you want to add even more, you can still use a USB hub. As you can see, this amazing little computer is not only versatile but is also extremely inexpensive, which is what makes it so attractive. Programming skills are helpful, but not absolutely necessary – don’t be afraid to try!
Each classroom tray contains 10 Raspberry Pi 3B+s, 10 Raspberry Pi 3B+ power supplies, 10 Sense HATs, 12 SD cards, 21 mixed colour LEDs, 10 breadboards, 10 resistors (330ohms), 50 buttons & jumper wires (20 x F–F, 60 x M–F)
Quantity: 4 x Classroom Trays
Data Loggers
With 3 built in sensors for light, temperature and sound, scientific data can be recorded remotely or the logger can be connected to a computer using Bluetooth or USB. 3 built in sensors, for light, temperature and sound and an external temperature probe.
Each classroom tray contains 5 data loggers, 5 lanyards, 5 plug-in temperature sensors and 5 mini USD leads.
Quantity: 2 x Classroom Trays
Robotics Tray
For use with the BBC Micro:Bit, this robotics kit is ideal for use with younger pupils who will be able to build buggies with little more than a couple of motors, a chassis, some elastic bands and the clip motor driver.
Each classroom tray contains 11 Kitronik Klip Motor Driver Boards for BBC micro:bit (with case), 22 Kitronik clippable TT motor boards (with cable tie and screws), 22 Right Angle Geared Hobby TT motors, 22 x 5 Spoke Injection Moulded Wheels for TT Motors, 11 set of 10 clip leads, 11 ping pong balls for robot castor, and simple chassis templates.
Please see Kitronik’s site for more information.
Quantity: 1 x Classroom Tray
Primary Tray
Crack the code with this Primary Tray containing the Kitronik LAB:bit, the all-in-one laboratory for delivering KS2 computing in the classroom. The Kitronik LAB:bit for the BBC micro:bit offers a super fun way for children to learn about coding in an engaging and hands-on way. It has been specifically designed for the classroom for KS2 computing and is backed by online MakeCode tutorials, simplified custom blocks, and a detailed getting started guide. It is absolutely packed with an impressive array of features and devices for easy delivery of fun and informative lessons.
Each classroom tray contains 11 LAB:bits, 11 BBC micro:bits per LAB:bit with cases, 11 microUSB cables per LAB:bit, 11 x 5 spoke injection moulded wheels and tyres for the motors, and 11 x battery cages (3x AA).
Quantity: 1 x Classroom Tray
Kit Request Form
If you are from Norfolk and you would like to borrow some of our kit for a half-term, please see the availability of your desired kit below and then complete the form at the bottom of this page to send us a request. Alternatively you can contact us for more information.
Kit Availability
If you are from Norfolk and you would like to borrow some of our kit for a half-term, please see the availability of your desired kit below and then complete the form at the bottom of this page to send us a request. Alternatively you can contact us for more information.
Note: The Crumbles use Redfern’s software which will need to be added to laptops, or the Chrome extension if you use Chromebooks. The free software is available here. The Micro:Bits use free online software, compatible with laptops and Chromebooks, available here. In addition there is a Micro:Bit app for use with tablets.