Block coding for Pico W, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and Makeblock

What it is

TurtleBlock Studio is a web page where you snap Blockly blocks. The studio writes MicroPython or Python you can read. Free ($0) is the block builder and the Pico W simulator. Standard ($30/month) adds ESP32, Raspberry Pi, Makeblock, USB upload, and .py downloads. Premium ($50/month) adds online project saves. Your blocks stay in this browser. Blink an LED.

Who it's for

Students, teachers, and families can open the same studio in a web browser.

• Students

  Snap blocks for logic, loops, variables, and functions. Open a sample such as Blink an LED, or follow Beginner Mode lessons. No account is needed to start, and your blocks stay in this browser.

• Teachers

  Open the studio on a Chromebook, Windows PC, or Mac. Sample programs, Beginner Mode, and How to Code lessons are in the studio for class. USB upload uses Chrome or Edge and is part of Standard or Premium. Read the teacher guide and the class lesson plan.

• Families

  Practice at home without installing an app. The free studio is the block builder and the Pico W simulator. Your blocks stay in this browser.

What you can do

These tools are in the studio today.

• Blockly blocks

  Logic, loops, variables, and functions, plus pins, timing, sensors, motors, Wi-Fi, HTTP GET, and MQTT publish.

• Code you can read

  The studio shows the generated MicroPython or Python and lets you copy it. You can also convert Python back into blocks.

• Pin simulator

  Try a program on screen. The simulator is for Raspberry Pi Pico W. Try the Pico W simulator.

• Samples and lessons

  Sample programs for basics, sensors, logic, motors, and web, plus Beginner Mode and How to Code.

• Pin helpers

  Pin Quick Touch, a Pico W pin map, and a wiring view for the Pico header.

• Projects

  Save and load a project in this browser.

Launch Studio

Open the block workspace in this browser.

Launch Studio

Turtleback Robotics Academy

TurtleBlock Studio is by Turtleback Robotics Academy.

How it works

Three simple steps. No account needed to start.

1. 1

   Open the studio

   Press Start Here: Open Studio. Your blocks stay in this browser.

2. 2

   Snap blocks and try the simulator

   Build your programs and watch them run safely on screen.

3. 3

   Grow when you are ready

   Keep going in this browser. Your blocks stay on this computer.

Boards and microcontrollers

Pick a board by what you have on the table. Pico W is the one you can try in the browser for $0. ESP32, Raspberry Pi, and Makeblock need Standard ($30/month) or Premium ($50/month).

• Raspberry Pi Pico W

  MicroPython block coding with a free simulator. USB upload to a real Pico W is part of Standard or Premium.

• Raspberry Pi

  Visual Python for Raspberry Pi GPIO, sensors, and classroom robot projects. This board is part of Standard or Premium.

• ESP32

  Block-based MicroPython for ESP32 Wi-Fi boards. This board is part of Standard or Premium.

• Makeblock

  Block programs for Makeblock robot controllers, with copy-and-run host Python. This board is part of Standard or Premium.