Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi question

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ashleyhaw
 
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Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 12:08 am

Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi question

Post by ashleyhaw »

Greetings! I teach middle school science and I'm looking to incorporate programming into my classes as part of a robotics unit. I currently have a Raspberry Pi, it's new and I have never used it. I'm looking into making a creative costume to wear to school on Halloween, to get the kids excited. I found this ctenophore costume online:
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-LED ... ino-LPD88/

Can I make this using a Raspberry Pi, or should I purchase Arduino? Which is more user friendly for students? What other products do I need besides the belt? http://www.adafruit.com/products/306#Description

Also, I read online that one can hire a staff member to write the programming. How much would that cost? I'm looking for something just like the write up for the Halloween ctenophore costume.

Thanks,
Ashley

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Franklin97355
 
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:33 pm

Re: Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi question

Post by Franklin97355 »

Personally, for the kids I would go with the Arduino. It is more low level and you program it and get output from the computer attached. The pi runs Linux so the kids would have to learn that and at least one programming language before getting much use from it. Others will chime in with their opinions but those are mine.

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Arduino vs. Raspberry Pi question

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

I agree with franklin. The Arduino has an easier learning curve and is a better platform for beginners.

Adafruit support staff will assist you in the forums, but we do not offer custom programming services. However there are many talented programmers in the Adafruit community and if you post your project on the Jobs board, one of them might bid on it. : http://adafruit.com/jobs/

We do stock LPD8806 strip http://www.adafruit.com/products/306 which would be compatible with the code in the Instructables.
For new projects we like the Neopixel strips: http://www.adafruit.com/products/1376 The code for these is largely the same, but the power and wiring is a little simpler.
The Instructable used an Arduino Mega, but a standard Arduino Uno should have enough memory to drive 10 meters of the strip. http://www.adafruit.com/products/50
There are several options for powering LED strips described here: http://learn.adafruit.com/battery-power ... and-strips
Neopixel strips can be powered directly from a LiPo battery pack as described here: http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neop ... uide/power

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