Raspberry Pi Jam

How can one little computer do so many amazing things? Come and find out

MOSES LAKE — Only about 20 of these events happen inside the United States, and just two in the state of Washington – the “Raspberry Jam”.

What is a Raspberry Jam you ask?

A Raspberry Jam A.K.A. a “Raspberry Pi Jam” is an organized community event where people gather, share knowledge, and learn new things along with other Raspberry Pi enthusiasts.

Ok, so what is a Raspberry Pi?

An extremely capable computer is a little bit smaller than your smartphone and is able to complete many of the functions of your desktop computer. Used for spreadsheets, word processing, browsing the internet, and playing games, the Raspberry Pi connects to your television (or other monitors) and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. Initially developed as an inexpensive alternative for the promotion and teaching of basic computer science skills in schools and developing countries its popularity has skyrocketed and the Raspberry Pi Foundation now reports more than 15 million units sold worldwide.

In support of the promotion of STEM education, and in honor of the sixth birthday of the pocket-sized Raspberry Pi computer, Big Bend will host its Inaugural Raspberry Pi Jam March 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Advanced Technologies Education Center (ATEC). Admission is free to the public, but we do ask participants to consider bringing a can or box of non-perishable food to support the Big Bend Viking Food Pantry – a resource for the Big Bend Campus Community.

You are invited to come and see for yourself how this amazing little computer is changing technology and shaping education. Make sure to fill out an entry form for a chance to win a Raspberry Pi3 or Circuit Playground. Winners will be announced each hour. Must be present to win.

BBCC will have representatives from several departments for you to interact with including Computer Science, Medical Simulation, Mechatronics, Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones), and representatives from the college’s STEM Center will all be there to answer your questions. 

Come learn about and experiment with microprocessors and microcomputers. See them in action in 3D printers, medical simulation manikins, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. See a 3D printer creating objects from lines of code and filament.  Get actual stick time and try your hand at flying a drone. There will be several models of Raspberry Pi for you to view and experiment with – the amazing Pi 3, the tiny Zero, and the versatile Zero W! 

See a Retro Pi with hundreds of old school games, built by one of our Pi Makers. Navigate the halls of our Computer Science labs in the Virtual Reality Simulator.  Log in and learn how to send basic commands in Command Line Interface, and begin your journey into the world of Physical Computing.

Already a hacker/maker? Then bring your projects and share them with others.