Circuit Playground Express Educator's Pack

The Circuit Playground Express Educator's Pack is a comprehensive classroom kit built around Adafruit's versatile Circuit Playground Express board. It includes everything educators need to teach electronics, coding, and wearable technology — from conductive thread and servos to battery packs and storage.

The Circuit Playground Express supports three programming environments: Microsoft MakeCode (block-based and JavaScript), CircuitPython, and Arduino IDE. It's also compatible with Code.org's CS Discoveries curriculum. No soldering required — alligator clips connect directly to the board's pads.

On-Board Features

• 10× Mini NeoPixels – Individually addressable RGB LEDs
• Motion Sensor – LIS3DH triple-axis accelerometer with tap and free-fall detection
• Temperature Sensor – Thermistor
• Light Sensor – Phototransistor (also works as colour and pulse sensor)
• Sound Sensor – MEMS microphone
• Mini Speaker – 7.5 mm magnetic speaker with class D amplifier
• IR Transceiver – Send/receive remote control codes and inter-board messages; doubles as proximity sensor
• 2× Push Buttons – Labelled A and B
• Slide Switch & Reset Button
• 8× Alligator-Clip I/O Pads – Analog input, PWM output, capacitive touch, I2C, and UART
• Processor: ATSAMD21 ARM Cortex M0, 48 MHz, 3.3 V
• Storage: 2 MB SPI flash for CircuitPython code and libraries
• USB: Micro-USB — acts as serial, keyboard, mouse, joystick, or MIDI

Package Contents

Boards & Cables

• 2× Circuit Playground Express
• 2× USB cable (A to Micro-B)

Wearable Electronics

• 1× Stainless thin conductive thread (2-ply, 23 m)
• 1× Needle set (sizes 3–9, 20 needles)
• 1× Sewable snaps (5 mm, card of 24)
• 1× Magnetic pin back

Breadboard & Paper-Craft

• 1× Copper foil tape with conductive adhesive (6 mm × 15 m roll)
• 1× Small alligator clip test lead set (18 pieces)
• 1× Small alligator clip to male jumper wire bundle (6 pieces)

LEDs & Motors

• 2× Micro servo
• 1× Flora RGB Smart NeoPixel v2 (pack of 4)
• 1× LED sequins – multicolour (pack of 5)

Power

• 1× 3× AAA battery holder with on/off switch, JST, and belt clip
• 3× Alkaline AAA batteries
• 1× 3× AA battery holder with on/off switch, JST, and belt clip
• 3× Alkaline AA batteries
• 1× JST-PH battery extension cable (500 mm)

Storage

• 2× Mini storage box
• 1× AdaBot lunchbox

Resources

• Microsoft MakeCode editor
• Code.org CS Discoveries guide