Eng:PicoBoard

A PicoBoard is a piece of hardware that allows Scratch projects to interact with the outside world. Currently it works on Scratch 1.4 and 2.0.

The PicoBoard can be ordered from SparkFun. The schematics and additional information are also available on that site.

The previous version was called the ScratchBoard and has the same components and is compatible.

The Connecting to the Physical World forum is a place dedicated for discussions about the PicoBoard and other real world Scratch sensors.

If you would like to see what a PicoBoard is like, you can try out this project.

Blocks Used with the PicoBoard
The following blocks can be used with the PicoBoard: These blocks have a drop-down menu with other options (see right).
 * When
 * Sensor Value
 * Sensor ?
 * When

Features
The PicoBoard has the following features:
 * Slider: Controls the slider value
 * Light Sensor: Changes the light sensor value depending on the amount of light it detects.
 * Button: Can be pressed to control the button pressed value (true or false)
 * Sound Sensor: Changes the sound value depending on the amount of sound it detects.
 * Alligator Clips: Changes the value of various variables that detect whether the alligator clips are connected, and how much resistance each connection has.

Setting up a PicoBoard
To set up a PicoBoard, follow these steps:
 * 1) Get/buy a pico board
 * 2) Download the appropriate driver depending on whether you have a Serial or USB PicoBoard (all PicoBoards sold after June 2009 are USB PicoBoards).
 * 3) Plug your PicoBoard into your computer.
 * 4) Read Getting Started with PicoBoards.

Buying
You can buy a PicoBoard here. Ask a parent/guardian before you buy a PicoBoard. They cost about $45 USD, international shipping is 7$.