Expander for Calliope

Expander for Calliope Mini V3 - Ideal for STEM and computer science lessons

The expander for Calliope Mini V3 is the perfect accessory for use in STEM subjects. It offers many new possibilities for using the Calliope Mini V3 in computer science and technology lessons in particular. You can use it to create exciting, practical projects for pupils that promote a basic understanding of programming, electronics and technology. Specially designed to help teachers give students a deeper understanding of computer science and microelectronics. All included modules are well documented and described in comprehensive instructions. The instructions are student-friendly and written in easy language. This allows students to work independently with the material.

Quick overview:

• Sensors and actuators included in the scope of delivery are described in student-friendly instructions
• Thanks to prefabricated plugs and labeled contacts, the expander is easy and safe to connect
• Ideal for lessons without complicated preparation
• Facilitates the transition from the "all-in-one" board to the further use of external electrical modules
• Can be combined with many standard microelectronics components and the existing school inventory
• All "free" ports of the Calliope Mini 3 are led out on the board and can be used with Dupont plug-in cables, XH2.54mm and Grove plugs

Instructions
The 80 pages of accompanying instructions describe the expander and all enclosed modules in detail and in a way that is suitable for students.

Encouraging creativity and problem solving
The Expander allows students to create their own projects - from voice output to building their own sound boxes and motorized models. This allows them to develop not only technical skills, but also creativity and problem-solving skills.
Easy integration into the classroom: The prefabricated plugs and labeled contacts make it easy to connect the expander safely and quickly - ideal for use in the classroom without complicated preparation. This allows teachers to concentrate fully on the didactic content.

Versatility and open expansion options
Thanks to the universal connection options, the Expander can be combined with a wide range of microelectronic components. This encourages students' thirst for research and offers countless opportunities to experience technical concepts in a practical way.

Direct access to all important contacts
The expander makes hard-to-reach calliope pins accessible and also offers outputs specially designed for electric motors. This opens up a wide range of possible applications in robotics and automation - perfect for STEM subjects.

Practice-oriented technology and computer science projects
With the integrated MP3 player and the easily connectable speaker, students can carry out simple programming projects that introduce them to the world of computer science. Whether as part of project days, in computer science lessons or in technical working groups - the Expander offers practical applications that promote technical understanding and programming skills.

No additional power source required
The Expander does not require its own power supply, but can easily be operated via USB or the battery compartment of the Calliope Mini v3 - so the setup in the classroom remains simple and efficient.

Perfect for teaching computer science and technology (STEM)
With the expander for Calliope Mini V3, you can introduce pupils to the world of microcontrollers, electronics and programming in a practical and interdisciplinary way. Whether as an introduction to computer science or as a technology project, this expander makes lessons tangible and exciting.

Didactic added value of the Expander

Anyone using the Expander in the classroom has probably already worked with the Calliope as an individual module before. What added value does the Expander offer here?

Although the Calliope has an interface to which all the pins of the microcontroller are connected, wiring using only breadboard cables is often a hurdle that poses problems for teachers and students. At this point, the expander offers a perfect transition between the "all-in-one" Calliope board and the further use of external electrical modules and their programming.

Summarized
- Learning how to use complex components with the Calliope mini V3.
- Use of voice output on the Calliope with the aid of an MP3 module.
- Use of RFID radio communication.
- Learning how to wire complex components with pre-assembled connectors, but also with individual wiring to lead to individual microelectronics projects.
- Learning how to use program libraries to expand block-based programming
- Learning the technical basics of digital data.
- Learning the technical basics of analog data.
- Learning how to use the I2C data bus system.
- Learning the relationships between program blocks and external modules and functions.
- Learning how to combine advanced electronic components in projects.
- Introduction to advanced technical systems in the field of microelectronics such as Arduino.

Technical details
A speaker is included, which can be easily attached to the expander using a JST connector.
Nothing can be wired incorrectly as the connectors are pre-assembled. The contacts of the Calliope are led out and made accessible via conventional sockets. All the outgoing contacts can be connected using JST plugs, Groove plugs or conventional breadboard cables.
The universal connection options mean that you are not tied to an expensive system. The system can be expanded with any components from the microelectronics sector. Regardless of whether the items come from the Far East or the EU.
The Calliope V3 mini has two outputs that are specially designed for electric motors. These outputs are directly accessible on the expander via JST sockets.
No additional power source is required for the power supply of the Calliope and the expander board. The Calliope's battery compartment is perfectly adequate for most applications.
All of the Calliope's available contacts are labeled on the expander and can be assigned with 100% accuracy.
The expander makes many of the Calliope's hard-to-access contacts usable. The contacts P0, P1, P2, P3, C8, C9, C12, C13, C14, C15, C19, C20, M1 and M2 can now be used directly on the expander. C12 and C13 are used by the removable MP3 module and all I2C connectivity options can also be used with the C19 and C20 contacts.

Expander and its components
The Expander for the Calliope Mini V3 is available as a set with the following components, which are described and programmed in the instructions in a sequence.

Expander
The expander motherboard is divided into colored sections. The Calliope Mini V3 is plugged into the black section on the left. The colored areas on the right-hand side have the following meanings.

LED module - Single LED module with one LED and JST socket.

Push-button - Module with one push-button and JST socket.

Rotary control - Individual module with a potentiometer and rotary control cap. Here too, a JST socket ensures uncomplicated cabling.

Moisture sensor - The sensor can be used directly for contact measurement of damp floors, sponges, cloths, etc. It is not suitable for measuring damp floors. It is not suitable for measuring air humidity. Nothing can go wrong with the wiring via the JST socket.

Motor - We use a classic fan with an integrated electric motor as the electric motor. The plug of the fan fits into the motor socket of the expander and is supplied with power by the Calliope's power electronics. The expander does not require any separate hardware to supply the motor.

Servo motor - The servo is an SG90 servo. A typical component from the model building sector. Like most servos, it has a JR connector. This is plugged into the existing header pins on the expander.

MP3 module and loudspeaker - The expander has a socket provided for the MP3 module. The module is plugged in so that the SD card can be removed from the edge of the expander.

RFID transmitter and receiver - The RFID receiver is already equipped with a cable and can be plugged into the existing JST sockets in the I2C area of the expander. Two RFID tags, i.e. transmitters, are also included. These are a chip card and a key fob.