Edtech startup aims to make STEAM lessons more engaging with new functionalities. Available exclusively from RS Components 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 1 August 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, launches the new pi-topPULSE from pi-top, the makers of the world’s most affordable Raspberry Pi based computer. The sleek, HAT compatible, pi-top add-on board functions as a high-end Raspberry Pi Speaker, features a vivid LED matrix and includes an inbuilt microphone that integrates to give you your very own interactive Raspberry Pi assistant. 

The pi-topPULSE is an integrated solution for music, lights and sound that can be used by makers, students and educators alike. Measuring only 60x67mm, it’s easy to transport and deploy in any classroom. It can be used both as an add-on for pi-top or pi-topCEED, and additionally as a HAT for the Raspberry Pi 3. Useful in projects as a LED array, speaker and microphone, the pi-topPULSE can be used for games, to listen to music, sample music recordings and be programmed as a voice controlled Raspberry Pi.  

Jesse Lozano, Co-Founder of pi-top explains, “Although children love technology, there is often a difficulty when it comes to keeping them engaged for long periods of time without an interactive and creative based exercise. Therefore, the inclusion of Art within STEAM is vital. Arts encourage the development of visual-spatial skills, an increased practice in problem solving, and collaboration as kids contribute to creative projects.

Aiding in this pi-topPULSE adds a depth of perseverance, focus and creativity to the classroom.” Suitable for beginners and experts alike, the pi-topPULSE is a fun, educational tool that helps bring the Arts into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) projects with added visual and creative elements. pi-topPULSE offers a plethora of projects across the board, including classic games such as Snake, which can be easily programmed and brought to life. 

Dr. Kerry Freedman, Head of Art and Design Education at Northern Illinois University says, “Children need to know more about the world than just what they can learn through text and numbers. Art education teaches students how to interpret, criticize, and use visual information, and how to make choices based on it.” The pi-topPULSE’s key features include;  7x7 RGB LED matrix array, speaker and microphone Fully HAT-compatible - can be mounted on top of a standalone Raspberry Pi 3, or used inside the pi-top module rail like a normal add-on board Comes fully assembled and ready to go - includes magnetic stand-offs that can be added to the Raspberry Pi if used as a HAT A suite of python libraries is provided to make usage simple and easy - lots of example programs, demos and pi-top lesson plans (pi-topOS only) available to get you started with the LEDs, speaker and microphone Integration with Amazon Alexa a cloud-based voice control pi-topPULSE is exclusively available from RS Components http://www.rsonline.co.za Rob Maycroft, Global Product Manager at RS Components, says: “The pi-topPULSE is an exciting new addition to the growing family of products that augment the powerful capabilities of the Raspberry Pi.

This new innovative board combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics education with the arts, delivering an all-in-one portable solution for music, light and sound for use in the classroom and elsewhere.”  

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About pi-top

Created in 2014 by two friends crowdfunded on Indiegogo, pi-top is a rapidly growing company, revolutionising the education sphere with coding, computing and hands on experience with hardware. Using Raspberry Pi Technology and making it easily deployed, the pi-top teaches people how to programme languages such as scratch and Python, and also teaches its users to get hands-on constructing their laptops or desktops from purchase.  pi-top simplifies use of the Raspberry Pi for makers and educators and has grown into a world-leading platform that enhances learning for children across the world. It gives educators a well-rounded tool to teach complex STEAM subjects to students in an effective and engaging way with great hardware and revolutionary software suite, pi-topOS. To learn more about pi-top please visit: https://pi-top.com/  

About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process. 

The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications.  Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases.  Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions.  For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com  

Press Office
Le-andra Olivier
PR and Communications Specialist
RS Components South Africa
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+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links

• Twitter: @rsonline_SA; @DesignSparkRS
• Facebook: facebook.com/rssouthafrica/RS Components on
• LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links
RSPro
RS Components South Africa
www.electrocomponents.com
DesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.com