Ages: What are the recommended ages for the PicoCrickets?

PicoCrickets are designed especially for ages 8 and up. But with help from an adult, younger children can enjoy PicoCricket activities, too.

PicoCricket use: Who uses PicoCrickets?

PicoCrickets are designed for use by children, teens, and adults in a wide variety of settings. They are used at home, in school, during after-school programs, in museums, and in summer camps. See how people are using the PicoCricket.

The PicoCricket kits are intended to be used over and over. When you use the PicoCrickets in a classroom, educators typically preserve student projects through photos and videos. When students are finished with the projects, you can take them apart. The PicoCrickets and other electronic components are re-usable and students are able to take their craft creations home. The only thing you will need to replenish are the craft materials.

Computer: What kind of computer do you need? Can PicoCrickets work on a Mac?

PicoBlocks, the software used by the PicoCrickets, will work on both Windows and Macintosh computers.

Windows:

• Windows Vista
• available USB port (or serial port with serial cable)
• display with minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels

Macintosh:

• OS X (version 10.2 or higher)
  Note: The newest Macs with Intel processors are not yet supported, but we plan to have a compatible version soon.
• available USB port
• display with minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels

Software: How do you get the software for programming a PicoCricket?

PicoBlocks (the software used to program the PicoCrickets) comes on a CD with the kit and is also available as a free download.

Download PicoBlocks software

Copies: I would like to run PicoBlocks on more than one computer. Do I have to purchase additional copies?

Feel free to use PicoBlocks (the software used to program the PicoCrickets) on as many computers as you would like.

Note: You will need to connect a Beamer to each computer to send the program to the PicoCricket. A Beamer is included in the PicoCricket kit.

Getting Started: How do we get started using PicoCrickets?

The PICO Support page has several helpful resources for getting started with PicoCrickets:

To setup your computer and PicoCricket, follow the Setup Guide.

To start using your PicoCricket kit, see Getting Started.

Also, to get ideas for sample projects, visit the What do you want to make? page. Or, you can start experimenting on your own!

Workshops: Do you have any suggestions for using PicoCrickets in after-school or summer workshops?

If you are offering classes or workshops, you can click here to find out more about our PicoCricket Workshop Kit.

To get ideas for PicoCricket projects, visit the Educators page.

Another helpful resource is the PIE (Playful Invention and Exploration) Network site. The PIE Network site offers examples of how to use PicoCrickets in museums and other workshop settings. Visit PIE Workshops.

Sharing: How can we share what we've created using PicoCrickets?

If you would like to share your PicoCricket creations, you can add your project to the PIE Network's Project Gallery.

Purchasing:
How can I buy the PicoCricket?

You can order a PicoCricket kit for shipping to the United States and Canada. For shipping to other countries, see below.

Planning to use PicoCrickets in a class or workshop? If so, the PicoCricket Workshop Kit is a cost-effective way to get everything you need.

Countries: In which countries are PicoCrickets being sold?

For now, PicoCrickets can be shipped directly to addresses in the U.S. and Canada. We also have arrangements with distributors in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand. (please see below).

We are not able to ship PicoCricket kits to Europe. If you are able to provide us with a U.S. or Canadian address, we can ship to there.

We are working to expand the countries to which we can ship. To ask about a specific country, please email us at: questions@playfulinvention.com

In Japan:

The PicoCricket Kit is available in Japan through:
Learning Systems 株式会社ラーニングシステム
You can contact them with their online inquiry form.

In Mainland China and Hong Kong:

The PicoCricket Kit is available in China and Hong Kong through:
Semia Ltd, HK
1301 China United Plaze, 1008 Tai Nan West Road,
Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, H.K.
Contact: Eugene Zhang

In Taiwan:

The PicoCricket Kit is available in Taiwan through:
K. Kingdom Inc.
7F No 495 Guangfu S Rd.,
Sinyi District Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: +886-2-8788-1658
Fax: +886-2-2729-49951301
Contact: Johnson Jan

In Australia:

The PicoCricket Kit is available in Australia through:
Modern Teaching Aids
P.O. Box 608
Brookvale, NSW, 2100
Australia
Tel: 1800-251-497
Fax: 1800-251 492
Web: www.teaching.com.au
E-mail: sales@teaching.com.au

In New Zealand :

The PicoCricket Kit is available in New Zealand through:
Modern Teaching Aids
P.O. Box 912001
Auckland Mail Centre
New Zealand
Tel: 0800-808-044
Fax: 0800-682-329
Web: www.mta.co.nz
E-mail: admin@mta.co.nz

Spanish: Do you offer a Spanish version of the PicoCricket?

We do not offer a Spanish PicoCricket Kit; however, you can download PicoBlocks software and supporting PicoCricket documentation in Spanish. For more details, visit: PicoCricket in Spanish.

Parts: Can I buy PicoCricket parts without buying the entire kit?

Yes, if you need additional PicoCricket components, you can now order them individually.

For example, if you are running a musical instrument workshop, you may need additional Sound Boxes. If you are running a kinetic sculpture workshop, you may need additional Motors and Touch Sensors. You can get any combination of components with a minimum purchase of $200 USD.

Discount: Do you offer any special educational discount?

If you are offering classes or workshops, it is cost-effective to buy the PicoCricket Workshop Kit. Or, you can receive a discount of 10% on orders of 10 or more PicoCricket Kits.

PicoBoard: What is the PicoBoard?

The PicoBoard is a sensor board that works with MIT’s Scratch programming language. With the PicoBoard, you can connect real-world sensors to your online Scratch projects. Scratch is available free of charge from MIT.

Contacting PICO: How can I contact The Playful Invention Company?

The best way to contact us is via email at:
questions@playfulinvention.com

Our mailing address is:
Playful Invention Company Inc.
2075 rue University, Suite 1208
Montréal, QC H3A 2L1
Canada
Phone: (514) 282-4994
Fax: (514) 313-5521