PledgeCents and Piper Partner So Students Can Build Their First Computer

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 24, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- While today's children are surrounded by technology from the moment they are born, the challenge is understanding how the technology actually works. Through understanding technology, students will be able to better understand the world they live in and innovate for the future. PledgeCents' newest partner, Piper, is on a mission to make it both fun and easy for students to understand the technology around them. Piper Computer Kit, now available through the PledgeCents Marketplace, include a blueprint for students to build their first computer and then teach computer science that can power electronics through the Raspberry Pi Edition of Minecraft. The partnership enables teachers and parents to gain access to the computer kits by helping to offset the cost to get these tools into more students' hands.

"It's easy to look at the inside of a computer and feel intimidated by the idea of making sense of it," said Ricky Johnson, co-founder of PledgeCents. "Our hope is for the next generation to not feel intimidated, but see opportunity. We believe that Piper's method of creating a fun and educational way to take a child through the entire process is an ideal way to introduce children to engineering. We are excited to join Piper in ensuring that cost doesn't stand in the way."

Through the partnership, teachers and schools will be able to utilize PledgeCents to seamlessly generate a fundraising page to cover the cost of a Piper Computer Kit. Each Piper Classroom and Piper School bundle comes with spare parts and full curriculum based on Raspberry Pi edition of Minecraft. The PledgeCents team works with each fundraiser to help raise the necessary funds and will purchase the plan immediately after the fundraiser ends and also connect the teacher to a member of Piper's team to expedite the process. Anyone interested can visit https://www.pledgecents.com/signup/event/play-piper to create their own page today.

"Kids love to create with technology, Piper gives them confidence and skills to create using the Raspberry Pi Edition of Minecraft," said Chris Bouman of Piper. "We measure success in confidence growth around computer science, experienced students grow confidence by 20% and un-experienced students grow confidence by 50% - 70% after using Piper. With confidence we believe students can create anything!"

Representatives from organizations interested in learning more about the program can contact [email protected]​ or [email protected] ​for more information. ISTE attendees can also learn more at Piper's booth #565.

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