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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsLooking for a way to celebrate Pi Day on March 14? Make:’s 2025 roundup offers three full-size ideas and a playful “0.14” bonus: build a remote beehive monitor, turn a Magic 8-Ball into a GIF display, bake three apple pies, or add DIY ambient lighting to a TV. The mix includes hands-on electronics and food, so you can choose a project to build, bake, or simply explore.
Which Pi Day project fits your plans?
| Project | Best fit | What the source establishes |
|---|---|---|
| LongHive beehive monitor | Electronics, sensors, and woodworking | Moderate difficulty; 8–16 hours; historical project-page estimate of $150 |
| GIF-powered Magic 8-Ball | A small Raspberry Pi build with a display and printed enclosure | Moderate difficulty; 8–16 hours; historical project-page estimate of $0–$50 |
| Apple Pie, Three Ways | A kitchen-based celebration | Three pies are framed for morning, noon, and night; recipe details are not established in the accessible article text |
| DIY TV ambient lights | Ambient lighting for a television | The linked project title identifies the idea; components and build instructions are not established in the accessible excerpt |
The time, difficulty, and cost figures for the two electronics projects are historical estimates on their original project pages, not current quotes. The roundup does not provide comparable recipe cost or difficulty information for the pies.
Build a LongHive remote beehive monitor
LongHive is a Raspberry Pi-powered prototype intended to help beekeepers monitor hive conditions without relying on frequent intrusive inspections. Its platform sits beneath a hive, gathers readings from wired sensors, processes audio locally, and sends data over a LoRaWAN connection using the Helium Network/LongFi. A browser dashboard presents the readings.
What it monitors
- Hive weight, using load cells and an HX711 amplifier.
- Temperature and humidity.
- Carbon dioxide, using a CCS811 air-quality board.
- Hive sound, processed on the Raspberry Pi before a compact classification is sent over the low-throughput wireless link.
The project guide describes the build as a proof of concept. It is best understood as an additional source of information for a beekeeper, not a replacement for inspections or a guaranteed diagnosis of hive problems. The authors report 89% test-set accuracy for a specific binary queen/no-queen audio classifier; that result does not establish accuracy for detecting all hive health issues. The guide also notes that the training data was small and noisy and that training was unstable.
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- Pi Pie Pans, the Pi shaped pie pan, were made for those people who have a love of apple, cherry and the irrational as well.
- If you can recite Pi from memory to 20 or more decimal places, you need the Pi Pie Pan to celebrate March 14th in style.
- Be the envy of the office or classroom on Pi Day with this Pi shaped pan that has the same volume as a typical 9” pie pan.
Build scale and equipment
The guide’s parts include a Raspberry Pi 3B, ReSpeaker audio board, load cells and HX711 amplifier, CCS811 board, STM32 LoRa/Sigfox discovery kit, lumber, plywood, and screws. Its listed tools include a 3D printer, power drill, and table saw. The listed $150 cost and 8–16-hour estimate are historical page estimates, not current parts pricing or a guarantee of build time. Check availability and compatibility before sourcing components or substituting hardware.
The 2025 roundup jokes about a 3.41 GB example dataset. That is a detail about the example dataset, not a general storage requirement for LongHive. The 2022 guide’s machine-learning details—including roughly 2,000 samples per class after dividing recordings into 4.5-second segments, a 144,000-parameter CNN, a 500 KB converted model, and about 10 seconds per Pi-side evaluation—describe that project implementation rather than a validated benchmark for other hives or hardware.
Rank #2
- 9-INCH PIE PAN: Ensures a perfect bake every time for your favorite pie recipes, such as apple, berry, pecan, pumpkin, and more
- PROVIDES EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION: Distributes heat evenly for thorough baking of the crust
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT NONSTICK COATING: Nonstick coating provides excellent release while also making clean up quick and easy, and it is metal spatula safe so you can serve your baked goods right out of the pan
- CONVENIENT AND VERSATILE: Wide-rim sides make it easy to take in and out of the oven even while wearing oven mitts
- MADE WITH DURABLE STEEL: Measures 10.8" x 9.7" x 1.5" and is made with heavy duty steel to resist warping and offer high quality baking for years to come
Build a GIF-powered Magic 8-Ball
This remix of the familiar toy replaces fixed printed answers with randomly selected GIFs shown on a small LCD. The guide specifies a Raspberry Pi Model 3 A+ and presents the project as approachable for someone with basic electronics familiarity and beginner-level Linux command-line skills.
What the build involves
The listed components include a 1.3-inch ST7789 LCD breakout, PowerBoost 1000 charger, push-button power breakout, tactile switch, tilt or vibration sensor, single-cell 1800 mAh LiPo battery, 16 GB microSD card, JST connector, jumper wires, headers, machine screws, glue, and 3D-printed PLA parts finished with white spray paint. The guide calls for a 3D printer, soldering iron, and fine-tip paintbrush. Software and setup include Pi OS, the ST7789 Python module, SPI display wiring, and GIF assets.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Each 9-inch pie pan is made of commercial grade and heavy gauge aluminized steel ; Set of 2 pans
- Unique corrugated surface design facilitates air circulation for evenly baked goods and quick release
- Nonstick Americoat coating - a patented silicone coating which is PTFE, PFOA and BPA free - provides quick and easy release of all baked-goods and minimal easy clean up
- Baking surface Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 1. 5 inches; outer dimensions: 10 x 10 x 1. 5 inches; Made in the USA from globally sourced materials
- USA Pan is a Bundy family company that has proudly manufactured high quality bakeware and provided jobs in the USA for over 50 years
The project page’s 8–16-hour duration, moderate difficulty, and $0–$50 cost are historical estimates, not present-day quotes. Verify current stock, the electrical compatibility of parts, and safe LiPo charging arrangements before building; the guide’s parts list is specific to its design.
Make Apple Pie, Three Ways
The roundup’s food idea is to make three apple pies for morning, noon, and night, treating pie throughout Pi Day as part of the celebration. The accessible article text establishes that day-part framing but not the individual recipes, ingredients, baking temperatures, or timing. Use the linked Make: article to explore the original idea, but don’t assume a particular recipe from the roundup’s title alone.
Rank #4
- NEW Traditional uncoated 9-inch pie pan - made WITHOUT nonstick coating or corrugation; bakeware will perform best when used with parchment paper, silicone baking mats or traditional greasing and flouring methods
- Made from commercial quality aluminumized steel; heats quickly and evenly while holding temperature to ensure uniform baking
- For light, flaky crusts, trust our aluminized steel pie pans over glass or ceramic
- Pie pan will darken slightly with use-this is normal and will enhance its performance; oven and broiler safe to 450°F
- Bare uncoated 9-inch pie pan has a natural surface; for best results, grease or line with parchment paper or silicone mat; made in US from domestic and globally sourced materials
Add DIY ambient lights to a TV
The “0.14” bonus is titled “Bright Lights, Big TV – DIY Ambient Lights.” The title identifies it as a television ambient-light project, but the available project excerpt does not establish its components, compatibility, software, or build steps. Consult the linked project for those specifics before buying parts or planning a build.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Durable Glass Construction: Made from Pyrex glass for durability and heat resistance.
- Multipurpose Use: Can be used for baking, reheating, and serving food.
- Easy to Clean: Hand washable for convenience.
- Oven Safe: Can be used in the oven up to 500°F.
- Compact Size: Measures 9.5 inches in diameter for space saving storage.
Choose by the kind of celebration you want
- Want to bake? The three-pie idea is the food-centered option, though the accessible roundup text does not supply recipe instructions.
- Want a compact electronics build? The GIF 8-Ball has a defined Raspberry Pi model, display, battery, and enclosure, but it still involves soldering, Linux setup, and 3D printing.
- Want a sensor-and-structure project? LongHive combines electronics, wireless communication, and a wooden under-hive platform; it asks more of your tools and build setup.
- Want a TV lighting project? The ambient-light title points to the idea, but check its project guide for the actual bill of materials and compatibility details.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
