PITSCO has finally released their next generation programmable device that I believe is going to push coding, engineering, and STEM experiences for students to a whole new level. According to their website PRIZM is

The TETRIX® PRIZM™ Robotics Controller is a fully integrated, programmable brain for your bot that features a variety of motor, servo, encoder, and sensor ports with convenient connectors that enable you to control your robot’s behavior like never before. This controller offers the best of both worlds – a learning tool that is powerful yet easy to use. With PRIZM you can take learning to new heights by creating robots that are smarter, more precise, and as real world as it gets.

I have been fortunate enough to have had my hands on a PRIZM for about a month. I have had a chance to code with Arduino and push my knowledge base with coding with this language. I have a chance to test a few sensors, program my robot to move, and begin to think about the benefits of PRIZM with students.

I would be a fool if I did not acknowledge that there are a ton of great products out there already. My school uses LEGO EV3 for our robotics classes. My makerspace has Raspberry Pi’s, Sphero’s, 3D Printers, and a host of robots in various shapes and sizes.

What I like about PRIZM in comparison to the others are the following components

1. Plug and Play – it is easy to swap out motors and gears and various components to the PRIZM. This shortens the time to prototype while allowing students to push to higher levels of coding and problem solving.
2. Arduino based – there are so many resources, tutorials, and guides with Arduino that the sky truly is the limit(and even then the sky may be pushed to new boundaries) when it comes to student potential. Teachers won’t have to create it all as there is already plenty to be created. What will be developed next by your students?
3. TETRIX MAX – being compatible with this kit and just TETRIX in general really opens the door to build a wide variety of projects. These pieces are almost universal anymore and to be able to build with these parts and expand with everyday materials makes it a great choice

I know this post reads like a sales pitch. This is not the intention. This is my excitement. I recently placed PRIZM in the hands of my students and we are already developing some crazy ideas.

Here is a quick unboxing and overview video

Be sure to check their website out to read all the specs and what is to come.

As we plan to roll out a series of videos and tutorials with PRIZM we would love to know what you want to learn. Leave us a comment with your questions and ideas and we will work to experiment and give you the answers you seek.