industry news
Subscribe Now

element14 Community Celebrates Pi-Day with the Sci-Pi Design Challenge

The element14 community calls on all engineers and makers to use Raspberry Pi to support scientists in their experiments

Chicago – March 14, 2023: element14, an Avnet community, is celebrating Pi-Day with the Sci-Pi Design Challenge, encouraging their community of makers, designers and engineers to creatively solve problems facing scientists and labs by utilizing Raspberry Pi.

“Raspberry Pi has been a part of some of the most creative projects from our community,” said Dianne Kibbey, Global Head of Community and Social Media for element14. “To celebrate Pi Day, we are excited to launch the Sci-Pi design challenge to allow a space for our community to innovate and help scientists solve for their pain points.”

Once selected, each of the 25 sponsored participants will receive a free challenger kit which includes a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B to build into their projects. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is the latest product in the popular Raspberry Pi range of computers. It offers ground-breaking increases in processor speed, multimedia performance, memory and connectivity compared to the prior-generation Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. It features Broadcom BCM2711, quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz, 4GB LPDDR4 SDRAM, True Gigabit Ethernet and 2 Micro HDMI Ports Supporting up to 4K 60Hz Video.

In addition to the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, challengers are welcome to use any other Raspberry Pi products from the Raspberry Pi Family.

Designs created in this challenge will be geared toward supporting scientists in experiments. Potential project examples include:

  • Using the Raspberry Pi as an open-source logging system
  • Building a Raspberry Pi home lab
  • Helping run remote experiments on a low-cost computer.
  • Using Raspberry Pi to create an IoT Interface for aging lab equipment

Applications are now open and will close on April 15. The challengers will be selected on April 21. Each participant who completes at least five blog posts will receive a finisher prize of a Precision Screwdriver set. The runner up will receive a 4K Digital Microscope set and the winner will receive a High Definition Automatically Tracking Telescope valued at $2,000. Winners will be announced in June 2023.

More information can be found here: http://community.element14.com/scipi

 

Leave a Reply

featured blogs
Dec 22, 2025
Here's a seasonal sampler of intriguing videos, curious technologies, surprising history, and random delights collected during a rare pause for breath....

featured video

Revolutionizing AI Chip Development: Synopsys Solutions for the Future

Sponsored by Synopsys

In the AI era, demand for advanced chips is soaring, creating scaling and power challenges. Discover how Synopsys accelerates AI chip development with innovative solutions, robust partnerships, and cutting-edge silicon IP for first-pass silicon success.

Click here for more information

featured news

Microchip Unveils First 3 nm PCIe® Gen 6 Switch to Power Modern AI Infrastructure

Sponsored by Microchip

AI systems are starving for bandwidth. Microchip’s 3 nm Switchtec™ Gen 6 PCIe® switches deliver up to 160 lanes, lower power, and CNSA-compliant security—built for the future of AI and cloud infrastructure.

Click here to read more

featured chalk talk

Accelerating the Transition to 48V Power Systems
Sponsored by Mouser Electronics and Vicor
In this episode of Chalk Talk, Tom Curatolo from Vicor and Amelia Dalton explore the what, where, and how of 48 volt power delivery networks. They also investigate the components of a 48 volt portfolio ecosystem, the advantages of a high-density, modular power design solution and the six things to consider when transitioning to 48 volt power systems. 
Dec 2, 2025
44,404 views