Special projects
This page contains special one-off projects that I have run for particular occasions or events.
Digifest 2026 - Astro Pi: Mission Zero
DigiFest is an annual celebration of digital creativity in Norfolk libraries throughout February. With free events for children and young people aged up to 16. More information can be found at the Norfolk Council Digifest page and the Norfolk Council news page.
At Downham Market library, the activity chosen is Astro Pi: Mission Zero developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation where you design an image that will display on board the International Space Station!
- Worksheet can be found here.
- Instructions can be found at Astro Pi: Mission Zero.
- Code editor can be found at Mission Zero starter project.
If you find you have finished your project and want to do more Python coding with the Astro Pi, try these projects:
Lesson delivery notes
The Astro Pi: Mission Zero materials are developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and are well supported. However, if you want to deliver this lesson and get your image displayed on the International Space Station, you will need to follow the guidance. These notes will help you prepare:
You should start by watching the following video by the Raspberry Pi Foundation for the Astro Pi: Mission Zero. It takes you through the entire process which I summarise below.
Register your class
- Go to the Astro Pi website website.
- Scroll down to the the Mission Zero icon and click Choose Mission Zero.
- Click [Mentor sign-up / log-in]. Once completed this will give you a classroom code which will be needed to submit the projects.
Deliver lesson
- Follow the instruction at Astro Pi: Mission Zero.
- The code editor to use can be found at Mission Zero starter project.
Submit
- Scroll to the bottom of the editor to check the submission is valid.
- It must run for less that 30 seconds
- Provide the submission details and submit.
View submissions
- You can view your class submissions from your Mission Zero Hub.