Funduino Expansion Board for Calliope mini V3 - various versions

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 education. It offers many new possibilities, especially in computer science and technology lessons, for using the Calliope Mini V3. It enables you to create exciting, hands-on projects for students that promote a basic understanding of programming, electronics, and technology. Specially developed 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 written in student-friendly language that is easy to understand. This allows students to work independently with the material.

Quick overview:

• The included sensors and actuators are described in student-friendly instructions
• Thanks to its preassembled connectors 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 continued use of external electrical modules
• Can be combined with many standard microelectronics components and the school equipment already available
• All “free” ports of the Calliope Mini 3 are brought out on the board and can be used with Dupont jumper wires, XH2.54mm and Grove connectors

Instructions

The accompanying instructions, approximately 80 pages long, provide detailed, student-friendly descriptions of the expander and all included modules.

Promoting creativity and problem-solving

The expander allows learners to implement their own projects - from voice output and building their own sound boxes to motorized models. This helps them develop not only technical skills, but also creativity and problem-solving skills.
Easy integration into lessons: The preassembled connectors and labeled contacts make it easy to connect the expander safely and quickly - ideal for classroom use without complicated preparation. This allows teachers to focus entirely on the educational content.

Versatility and open expansion options

Thanks to its universal connection options, the expander can be combined with a wide range of microelectronics components. This encourages students' spirit of discovery and offers countless opportunities to experience technical concepts in a practical way.

Direct access to all important connections

The Expander provides access to hard-to-reach Calliope pins and also offers outputs specifically designed for electric motors. This opens up a wide range of applications in robotics and automation - perfect for STEM subjects.

Practical technology and computer science projects

With the integrated MP3 player and easy-to-connect speaker, learners can create simple programming projects that introduce them to the world of computer science. Whether as part of project days, computer science lessons, or technical clubs, 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 powered via USB or the Calliope Mini v3 battery compartment - keeping classroom setup simple and efficient.

Perfect for computer science and technology education (STEM)

With the Expander for Calliope Mini V3, you can introduce students to the world of microcontrollers, electronics, and programming in a practical, interdisciplinary way. Whether as an introduction to computer science or a technology project, this Expander makes lessons tangible and engaging.

The Expander's educational value

Anyone using the Expander in class has probably already worked with the Calliope as a standalone module. What added value does the Expander offer here?

Although the Calliope has an interface that exposes all of the microcontroller's pins, wiring with breadboard cables alone is often a hurdle that presents challenges for teachers and students. This is where the Expander provides the perfect transition between the Calliope “all-in-one” board and the advanced use and programming of external electrical modules.

In summary

• Learn to use complex components with the Calliope mini V3.
• Use of voice output on the Calliope with the help of an MP3 module.
• Use of RFID wireless communication.
• Learn to wire complex components using preconfigured connectors, as well as individual wiring to guide you toward your own microelectronics projects.
• Learning to use program libraries to extend block-based programming.
• Learning the technical fundamentals of digital data.
• Learning the technical fundamentals of analog data.
• Learning to use the I2C data bus system.
• Learning the relationships between program blocks and external modules and functions.
• Learning 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 and can be easily attached to the expander using a JST connector.
Nothing can be wired incorrectly because the connectors are pre-assembled. The Calliope contacts are brought out and made accessible via conventional sockets. All exposed contacts can be connected using JST connectors, Grove connectors, or conventional breadboard cables.
The universal connection options mean you are not tied to an expensive system. The system can be expanded with any components from the microelectronics sector, regardless of whether they come from the Far East or the EU.
The Calliope V3 Mini has two outputs specifically designed for electric motors. These outputs are directly accessible on the expander via JST sockets.
No additional power source is required to power the Calliope and the expander board. The Calliope's battery compartment is fully sufficient for most applications.
All available Calliope 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, while contacts C19 and C20 provide access to all I2C connectivity options.

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 progressively in the instructions.

Expander

The expander baseboard is divided into colored sections. The Calliope Mini V3 is plugged into the black field on the left. The colored areas on the right have the following meanings.

• LED module - Single LED module with a light-emitting diode and JST socket.
• Push button - Module with a push button and JST socket.
• Rotary control - Single module with a potentiometer and rotary knob cap. Here too, a JST socket ensures uncomplicated wiring.
• Moisture sensor - The sensor can be used directly to measure the contact with moist soil, sponges, cloths, etc. It is not suitable for measuring humidity. The JST socket prevents wiring mistakes.
• Motor - We use a classic fan as the electric motor, with an electric motor integrated into it. The fan connector fits into the expander's motor socket and is supplied with power by the Calliope's power electronics. The expander does not require any separate hardware to power 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 onto the existing header pins on the expander.
• MP3 module and speaker - The expander has a dedicated socket 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 already has a cable attached and can be plugged into the existing JST sockets in the expander's I2C area. Two RFID tags, i.e. transmitters, are also included. These are a chip card and a key fob.