Before many local high school and middle school students head back to the classroom, Oak Hill Collaborative offers its Raspberry Pi Program to get children engaged with science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Encouraging computer science education and STEM in children is a huge part of OHC’s programming, and Raspberry Pi teaches students in grades 6-10 computer programming and coding basics.
Students in our Raspberry Pi learn to make their own, small and portable, personalized computer over the six courses.
Anthony Hake, an OHC Trumbull County Digital Navigator, has been instructing Raspberry Pi at TriYounity in Warren for the past six weeks. From programming Mickey Mouse to video games such as Minecraft, students get hands-on experience programming things they have interests in.
Hake said the program has evolved since its original courses years ago.
“[Raspberry Pi] used to be offered primarily with the schools centralized in just the Youngstown area. Now, not only does this class have a virtual component that enables us to offer it remotely, but we’ve expanded into surrounding areas, offering more of the same computer science education to more kids than ever,” Hake said.
The program engages children through critical thinking and problem solving — Hake’s favorite part.
“This being a computer class, it has its fair share of technical mishaps, so it’s heartwarming to see the students work together to overcome these obstacles — or in some instances, they even correct or teach me!” Hake said. “I also love watching the light-bulbs come on as they have their ‘eureka’ moment — they are bursting at the seams with excitement for solutions to problems I’ve solved dozens of times over.”
To Hake, seeing growth in the children through Raspberry Pi is incredibly meaningful and reflective to his own experiences with STEM. Hake said by showing these children how they can work with and shape technology, it can leave impacts on them forever outside of the classes.
“Many of these children are at a stage in their lives where they haven’t been formally introduced to the importance of technology or realize the impact computer science has. They’ve used it — but without stopping to understand what they are using — they don’t develop an interest to upgrade, change or create something with it. By showing them how to in this new and exciting light, we’re setting an impression that will forever alter how they view technology,” Hake explained. “It’s humbling, and puts me back into the shoes I filled when I was also first figuring everything out. In short, excitement is contagious!”
Kelly Baer, a Mahoning County Digital Navigator, has been aiding Hake with teaching Raspberry Pi. Each week, Baer would spend time learning Raspberry Pi alongside the students.
“He takes very difficult concepts and explains them very simply – and that’s incredibly impressive,” Baer said. “He’s personable and sometimes that makes the difference in education. These computer kits, we provide these free for the kids, and Anthony helps them learn how they work for free while fostering an interest he shares.”
OHC funds its Raspberry Pi Program through grants and donations, which help keep the program free for students who participate.
The next iteration of our Raspberry Pi Program will be offered at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library starting Sept. 12 through its Tween Tech Nite events.
To register for the program or for more information, contact OHC’s main branch location at (330) 406-0731, or visit wtcpl.org/event/tween-tech-night-the-warren-library.
