Theo Hupkens - Python and MicroPython in the classroom
Python is a great language for learning programming. It enforces structure and students can learn a lot by entering commands into the shell (= REPL).
Many of my assignments to learn the language consisted of simple mathematical challenges, such as the quadratic formula. I will show a few of them.
After students learned Python, they had little trouble with MicroPython because this language is syntactically almost identical to regular Python. Students were allowed to create their own devices using the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller and a number of sensors and output devices. Most students enthusiastically created a device of their own imagination. This resulted in many completely different modules, such as a text-to-music player, displaying selfies on a display, NeoPixel games, a weather station and more.
All students (from both the General High School Diploma and the Advanced Placement Program) had little trouble making whatever they wanted to make.