Workshops/Arduino for beginners/Planning

What shall we do?

• Build an arduino from scratch? - not a bad idea but could be tricky and perhaps require more knowledge, time and bits
  • I agree, possibly not for a beginners class, but would be a great addition to an intermediate/advanced class --Solexious 18:42, 21 July 2010 (UTC)
• Offer backup for the workshop. Big problem with workshops - especially ones where you bring your own project - is that you sometimes fail to complete it in the time available. The hackspace can offer a USP of continuing support to allow completion (suggest a month's access to the space outside of weekly meetings) . This also acts as a taster session and may result in full membership.--Artag 07:33, 22 July 2010 (UTC)
  • I agree this would be good, we would have to sort out the logistics of this with entry and availability of help outside of the public nights --Solexious 00:59, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

When?

I propose we hold the workshop on the 21st/22nd of August, would this suit those willing to help? Solexious 00:57, 26 July 2010 (UTC)

Who?

Who is willing to help run the event?

• Solexious
• b3cft
• Harry
• Ciarán
• artag not much good at lecturing but can help debug. also have equipment if necessary - soldering, PSus, socket strips, etc.

Thoughts on a Lesson Overview

• 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)
• 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.
• sell hackspace branded kits

How many?

• What is the maximum people we can cater for? This will dictate how many kits we buy, and how much space we have to clear to make it comformtable to teach. It also sets a limit on how much money we can make.

Kit to go with workshop

I feel a kit that is given to attendees with the workshop would be fab. I tried to beat the cost of EarthshineElectronics starter kit, but have been unable to, this is even at the regular price, rather than contacting for "Special rates for colleges, schools, universities and training centres." Can anyone do better?

http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/10-arduino-duemilanove-compatible-starter-kit.html

• Is it worth buying equipment for more than one workshop, and have another similar workshop planned for 3 months time?