275 computers to inspire data students in Sheffield

WANdisco boss David Richards teamed up with Pimoroni to make the Raspberry Pi Zeros for children on his foundation’s ‘Get Creative with Data’ syllabus which is run in six Sheffield schools.

The kit aims to help them understand data and the environment, with sensors that measure light, colour, motion and temperature. Projects include sorting socks into pairs, testing which sunglasses block the most light and which gloves warm hands the quickest.

The initiative and the syllabus are run through the David and Jane Richards Family Foundation, a registered charity.

David and Jane Richards said: “We passionately believe that computer science education should be fun and focused on being creative.

“As their confidence and capabilities grow, our young people will be able to unleash their imagination and ask probing questions about the world around them.

“We are big fans of the UK-designed Raspberry Pi and are grateful for the support of Sheffield tech manufacturer Pimoroni in our mission to advance the education of computer science in state schools.”

Jon Williamson, co-founder and CEO of Pimoroni, added: “It’s important people start tinkering and building as young as possible, and creating a beautiful custom kit with the David and Jane Richards Family Foundation is a way to make that early experience make an impact.”

Pimoroni is a crew of 30 people who design and manufacture electronics worldwide.