by 
Computing for kids has hasn’t come very far since the launch of early Raspberry Pi solutions. Now, however, you can hook your kids up with the Calliope Mini, a single-board computer that features a fun shape, multiple LEDs, and solid processing power.
The Mini features three RGB LEDs, a touch sensor, headers for motors and other accessories, and a Jacdac connector that lets you connect other accessories. In all, it’s a clever little board that’s just complex enough for kids and parents.
With an aim to inspire youngsters with an age-friendly, and most importantly, a creative exploration of the digital world, this device is a hands-on initiation into the realms of programming and electronics. The Calliope mini 3 stands out as an innovative learning tool in the shape of a microcontroller board. This latest version is an upgraded successor to the original Calliope mini and shines brighter with its added features and superior functionality. Its primary role? To broaden the horizons of educational applications! From simple gaming projects to advanced IoT devices, the scope is practically limitless.
Where do users fit in all this? Well, they get to read sensor data, manipulate LEDs and sounds, and even connect motors for out-of-the-box robotics and automation ventures. On top of all this, there’s the customizable Calliope mini app, which adds a cherry on top! It offers an array of editors for coding purposes, and houses information related to projects and activities. Jørn Alraun, the Managing Director of Calliope, is all praise for the Calliope mini 3. It’s not just about learning to code or understanding electronics, he says.
The Calliope mini represents “accessibility”, “creativity”, and a significantly “affordable” entry to the world of STEM subjects. It’s all about developing problem-solving skills and unleashing the ability to think differently.At its core, the Calliope mini 3 brags the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833 multiprotocol SoC’s powerful 64 MHz Arm Cortex M4 processor. What’s this mean for users? Well, this processor is the heart of the microcontroller, responsible for running complex programs and managing various tasks. From storing code and data thanks to ample Flash memory, to executing the program using the RAM, this processor does it all.The nRF52833 SoC brings our modern-day fondness for wireless connectivity to the table, integrating Bluetooth LE to enable communication with other smart devices. It’s this wireless bridge that lets the Calliope mini interact with smartphones and tablets. Not to forget, this tech marvel supports a user-friendly interface for programming languages like MakeCode, MicroPython, and even C/C++. Here’s some more tech goodness! The Nordic nRF52820 SoC powers this educational device as a USB drive on a connected PC. It doubles up to copy the data to the nRF52833, and to facilitate serial communication as well.The Calliope mini 3’s IoT prowess is backed heavily by the functionality of the Nordic nRF52833 SoC. With remote control and data exchange capabilities, the microcontroller is all set for digital adventures. And the best part? All these capabilities are packed into a chipset that conserves power and can be put into different modes.
Peek into the Calliope mini, and you’ll spot an array of onboard sensors. It includes an accelerometer for motion and orientation measurements, a magnetometer for compass applications, and a light sensor that watches out for changes in ambient light levels. The device also comes with a 5×5 LED matrix, three RGB-LEDs, USB-C power support, and a built-in microphone and speaker. Need to extend the fun? The two Grove and two Jacdac connectors allow extensibility to external hardware. All this, while two AAA batteries ensure extended run times.Alraun noted the role of the Nordic nRF52833 SoC as ‘crucial’ for creating IoT applications. In his words, “Nordic technology helps a lot in building energy efficient, yet powerful prototypes.” He also cited the immense value they found in the Nordic SDK, reference designs, and the Nordic DevZone forum in aiding their development process.
