Programming project - Sense HAT I
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a Sense HAT to display text and pixel animations.
Key learning points
- The Sense HAT is an add-on board for the Raspberry Pi computer.
- HAT stands for Hardware Attached on Top.
- The Sense HAT allows you to write programs that interact with the sensors and the LED matrix.
- The SenseHAT emulator can be used if you do not have the physical equipment.
- You can use lists to set all of the pixels on the matrix in one structure.
Keywords
Sense HAT - hardware that attaches to the top of a Raspberry Pi computer and allows you to write programs that collect data from sensors — it also has an LED matrix for displaying output
Sense HAT emulator - a digital representation of the physical Sense HAT device
Common misconception
You must have the physical Sense HAT device to practice coding with the Sense HAT.
You do not have to have the physical Sense HAT to try this out. The Sense HAT emulator provides a digital representation of the device.
Teacher tip
If pupils have access to the physical devices of the Raspberry Pi computer and Sense HAT for this lesson, instructions on how to set up this hardware is included as an additional resource for this lesson.
Equipment
Pupils need access to a device that can edit and run Python programs and optionally a RPi computer with Sense HAT. Examples in this lesson use the RPF Code Editor https://oak.link/python-editor
File needed for this lesson
pixel-art 7.1 KB (XLSX)
Download this file to use in the lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a two-dimensional list?
Q2.Which keyword describes a set of instructions with a name?
Q3.What might you use a 2D list for in programming?
Q4.In a 2D list, what does each row contain?
Q5.Put these steps in order to create a 2D list for a game board:
Q6.Match each keyword to its meaning:
a list with rows and columns
a named set of instructions
values arranged side by side
values arranged up and down
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the Sense HAT?
Q2.What does HAT stand for?
Q3.What is the Sense HAT emulator?
Q4.What can you use lists for with the Sense HAT?
Q5.Put these steps in order to display text on the Sense HAT:
Q6.Match each keyword to its meaning:
hardware that attaches to a Raspberry Pi
digital version of a device
lights for displaying output
structure to hold pixel data
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Programming project - Sense HAT I, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Programming project - Sense HAT I, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Programming: strings and lists unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.