# Best Beginner Boards for Teachers ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/079/023/medium800/adafruit_products_CPX_Girl.jpg?1564849250) Microcontrollers are small programmable circuit boards that supply processing power to many kinds of electronics projects. They're also a great way to introduce kids to coding and building. Just add a few components and everyday crafts or recycled material and you can build everything from a simple circuit to a fully-functional robot! If you've got a bit of electronics background, or you're up for a challenge, there are plenty of microcontrollers to choose from. But if you (and your students) are new to coding and electronics, your best bet is something powerful, expandable -- and simple enough to use right out of the box. Luckily, getting students started with microcontrollers is easier than ever before! Here's a look at three boards -- the Circuit Playground Express, the Gemma M0, and the PyBadge -- that are great for teachers who are ready to learn coding and electronics themselves, and/or working with students who have little or no coding background. Adafruit's beginner boards are newbie-friendly in many ways: - They can use MakeCode drag-and-drop block programming (and toggle back and forth to text-based Javascript). - They are designed with clip-able connections. - They include built-in inputs for physical control, like sensors that can register tilt or sound. - They include built-in outputs like speakers and lights. - When students are ready to move on to the next level, the boards can be programmed with more advanced languages like CircuitPython and Arduino. Keep reading for tips on which boards are best for beginner educators and students, and suggestions for how to get started! ## Suggested Boards Adafruit caters to educators by offering boards and the accessories you need to get started individually as well as in classroom sets and in kits that include all the basics and more. On Adafruit's [Educator Page](https://www.adafruit.com/educators), you'll find links to products and information on educator discounts. Combine them with discounts for bulk purchases for extra savings. The list below is just a sample of the options available! ### Circuit Playground Express [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) **Circuit Playground Express** is the next step towards a perfect introduction to electronics and programming. We've taken the original Circuit Playground Classic and made it even better! Not only did we pack even more sensors in, we also made it even easier to... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3333/guides) ![A Black woman's manicured hand holds a round microcontroller with lit up LEDs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3333-05.jpg) ### Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform [Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) The **Adafruit Gemma M0** is a super small microcontroller board, with just enough built-in to create many simple projects. It may look small and cute: round, about the size of a quarter, with friendly alligator-clip sew pads. But do not be fooled! The Gemma M0 is incredibly... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3501/guides) ![Pink polished fingers holding a Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/3501-05.jpg) ### Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino? That's right, its the **Adafruit PyBadge!** We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4200/guides) ![Angled shot of a Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4200-01.jpg) ### Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit [Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517) It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!**  It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3517/guides) ![Rectangular case for Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3517-04.jpg) ### Code.org Circuit Playground Express Educators' Pack [Code.org Circuit Playground Express Educators' Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3399) For many years, instructors and teachers have asked us to come up with a better way to teach programming and electronics. We have worked on Circuit Playground Express for over a year to come up with a board that is powerful, beautiful, fun, and perfect for teaching Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3399) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3399/guides) ![Angled shot of educational electronic kit contents, including dev boards, alligator clips, USB cables, and LED PCBs.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3399-01.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/best-beginner-boards-for-teachers/what-to-look-for.md) ## Featured Products ### Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit [Circuit Playground Express - Base Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517) It's the **Circuit Playground Express Base Kit!**  It provides the few things you'll need to get started with the new [Circuit Playground Express](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3333). This version of Circuit Playground is super powered, and will... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3517) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3517/guides) ### Code.org Circuit Playground Express Educators' Pack [Code.org Circuit Playground Express Educators' Pack](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3399) For many years, instructors and teachers have asked us to come up with a better way to teach programming and electronics. We have worked on Circuit Playground Express for over a year to come up with a board that is powerful, beautiful, fun, and perfect for teaching Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3399) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3399/guides) ### Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform [Adafruit GEMMA M0 - Miniature wearable electronic platform](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) The **Adafruit Gemma M0** is a super small microcontroller board, with just enough built-in to create many simple projects. It may look small and cute: round, about the size of a quarter, with friendly alligator-clip sew pads. But do not be fooled! The Gemma M0 is incredibly... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3501) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3501/guides) ### Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino? That's right, its the **Adafruit PyBadge!** We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4200/guides) ### 3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST [3 x AAA Battery Holder with On/Off Switch and 2-Pin JST](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) This battery holder connects 3 AAA batteries together in series for powering all kinds of projects. We spec'd these out because the box is slim, and 3 AAA's add up to about 3.3-4.5V, a very similar range to Lithium Ion/polymer (Li-Ion) batteries and have an on-off switch. That makes... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/727) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/727/guides) ### Micro servo [Micro servo](https://www.adafruit.com/product/169) Tiny little servo can rotate approximately 180 degrees (90 in each direction) and works just like the standard kinds you're used to but _smaller_. You can use any servo code, hardware, or library to control these servos. Good for beginners who want to make stuff move without... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/169) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/169/guides) ### Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 6 Pieces [Small Alligator Clip to Male Jumper Wire Bundle - 6 Pieces](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3448) When working with unusual non-header-friendly surfaces, these handy cables will be your best friends! No longer will you have long, cumbersome strands of alligator clips. These compact jumper cables have a premium male header on one end and a grippy mini alligator clip on the... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3448) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3448/guides) ### Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) [Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) Connect this to that without soldering using these handy mini alligator clip test leads. 15" cables with alligator clip on each end, color coded. You get 12 pieces in 6 colors. Strong and grippy, these always come in handy! We often use these in conjunction with a multimeter so we... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1008) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1008/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit PyBadge and PyBadge LC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pybadge.md) - [Hanukkah MakeCode Menorah Sweater](https://learn.adafruit.com/hanukkah-menorah-sweater.md) - [The Foul Fowl -- Keystroke Injection Attack Tool with Gemma M0](https://learn.adafruit.com/the-foul-fowl-keyboard-injection-payload-gemma-m0.md) - [NeoPixel LED Mickey Ears](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-led-mickey-ears.md) - [LED candles: simple, easy, cheap](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-candles-simple-easy-cheap.md) - [Hidden Ink UV Message Reader](https://learn.adafruit.com/hidden-ink-uv-message-reader.md) - [Crickit Powered Mini Chair Swing Ride!](https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-chair-swing-ride.md) - [Trinket / Gemma Blinky Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-gemma-blinky-eyes.md) - [CircuitPython Essentials](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-essentials.md) - [Crawling Animatronic Hand](https://learn.adafruit.com/crawling-hand-with-cpx-and-makecode.md) - [Circuit Playground Express Head-Tilt Ears](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuit-playground-express-head-tilt-ears.md) - [CircuitPython with Jupyter Notebooks](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-with-jupyter-notebooks.md) - [Make It Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Accelerometer Use](https://learn.adafruit.com/make-it-shake-rattle-and-roll.md) - [Tappy Robotic Hand](https://learn.adafruit.com/robotic-tapping-hand-with-cpx.md) - [3D Printed LED Microphone Flag](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-led-microphone-flag.md) - [Disco Band Camp Jacket](https://learn.adafruit.com/disco-band-camp-jacket.md)