Workshops/Arduino for beginners/Planning

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We will be using eventwax to take tickets, the page will be at http://londonhackspace.eventwax.com/beginners-arduino-workshop

What next ?

A pretty successful weekend, I think - the pupils all seemed fairly happy, even though nobody completed their projects as far as I saw !

We could do with some notes on how it went though : Workshops/Arduino_for_beginners/Debriefing


When?

A 2 day workshop over the 28th and 29th of August

Who?


Jobs for Volunteers

A description of tasks that need to be done, and who will do them.

Task Volunteer
Lead workshop b3cft
Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Windows artag b3cft nneil
Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Mac b3cft nneil
Helping install the Arduino IDE, for Linux artag Solexious nneil
Assisting users with non-working projects artag Solexious b3cft nneil
Drawing up equipment purchase list Solexious b3cft
Planning Workshop tasks
Preparing kits / boards etc. (no longer required since using earthshine kit ?) artag
Publicity chrisf?
Catering Clare

Who for ?

Who would attend these workshops, and therefore who are they aimed at ?

  • nontechnical people who think it's a general computer course
  • computer people with a desire to make hardware do something
  • makers/artists who want to add electronics to their interactive exhibit
  • musicians who want to make custom input devices for MAX/MSP etc.
  • ..

(these are suggestions of groups with differing requirements, I don't know what the correct answer is.)

Thoughts on a Lesson Overview

Day 1

  • Start with a general overview of hacking with respect to art, home automation, circuit bending, etc, presented as a short lecture to introduce the arduino and similar
  • Go into a setup for people with helpers wandering around making sure the software is installed correctly (java and all that)
  • Pull up some more slides with setup for the basic programs; maybe go with the simple blinking light example
  • coffee break
  • Move into a more complicated example using output only
  • lunch
  • Lecture on basic electronic theory such as V=IR and similar. introduce buttons and other inputs
  • Go through an input example - e.g press a button to turn on or off a set of LEDS
  • Modify this example with perhaps a buzzer instead.
  • Mention briefly, processing and how to use a POT to create a nice interactive graph (this was the demo Tinker used)
  • Indication of how to extend arduino - optional shields, connecting relays, rs232 etc.
  • Once that demo is complete, depending on time, finish with a short lecture on where to get equipment, suppliers, advanced topics and cool things that have been made with Arduino.

Day 2

  • Develop / complete Day 1 exercises
  • Provide suggestions for small projects
  • Develop attendees' own ideas, assisting design and suggesting solutions to problems

How many?

10 places

How much?

£100 - Including: Arduino + kit, refreshments, lunch both days and the training

£20 discount for members

Kit to go with workshop

Equipment needs for workshop

We will need to ensure we have facilities ready for the workshop to take place

  • 10 or more clear table places, ideally no more than 2 persons per desk
  • 10 or more acceptable chairs
  • Arduino installer on USB stick in case of network connection problems
  • Spare computers (though I'm assuming attendees will be asked to bring a laptop)
  • Mains power for laptops
  • Power for Arduinos, possibly via USB ... PSU included in kit
  • Components to help attendees build their own ideas ?? Should we ask what they intend, to try to make sure we have useful stuff ?
  • Food
  • Tea / coffee / soft drinks
  • Projector up & working
  • solid-core wire for breadboarding

Publicity

Channel Announced
Posters and Flyers
Upcoming
LHS Mailing List
LHS Wiki
LHS Website
IRC Topic
Facebook Event
Facebook Annoucement
Twitter
OSHG Mailing list