Best editor for teaching Pico to middle schoolers?

[solitaireMakes]

Hello - I am considering introducing the Pico to middle schoolers. So far they have been exposed to Micro:bit and programming with Makecode. Thoughts on progressing them to the Pico? If so, what editor should I use?

I have been experimenting with Thonny and like it so far. But it is not a block-based programming interface. I know there is a makecode interface for the Pico...and I have tried it. It feels glitchy to me and after using micro python on Thonny. Thoughts from other educators out there?

[Franklin97355]

Have you tried Mu or PyCharm? What OS are you using for the students?

[solitaireMakes]

We have Windows laptops.

[blakebr]

@solitaireMakes,

If you are going to use CircuitPython, MU would be a good choice. Both are supported by AdaFruit. The integration between CircuitPython and MU is very good.

CircuitPython is a good choice for a version of Python because of the extensive support for it here on the the Ada Fruit Forum. It is designed with the new programmer in mind, not someone with a computer science background.

CircuitPython Free
MU Editor Free
Raspberry Pi Pico $5.00
Total start cost $5.00

Bruce
(Not AdaFruit Staff)

[Paul16]

Hey! Moving to Pico might be good because it can do more than Micro:bit. I'd stay with Thonny; it's solid and runs well with MicroPython. Makecode for Pico looks a bit iffy still. :)

[T_Mo]

Do you want a graphical or text-based programming interface?