SparkFun to host "Introduction to Arduino" workshop

Oh, I so wish that (a) I lived in (or near) Boulder, Colorado and (b) I was a high school kid again, because then I could attend the forthcoming “Introduction to Arduino” Workshop that's to be hosted by SparkFun Electronics’ Department of Education.

As you may recall, SparkFun Electronics (www.sparkfun.com) is a provider of parts, knowledge, and passion for electronics creation. Its products and resources are designed to make the world of electronics more accessible, affordable, and approachable. SparkFun also offers classes and a number of online tutorials designed to help educate individuals about the wonderful world of embedded electronics.

Note that when I said I wish I was a high-school kid again, I was just thinking about how wonderful it would be to have all the cool stuff to discover all over again. In reality, this class is for anyone who has never played around with Arduino before, and also for those who have played around a little bit but aren’t entirely sure about how the basics work.

It’s easier than you think! Under the guidance of your instructors, you will put together basic, single-component electrical circuits; learn about analog and digital; input and output; basic programming concepts; practice very basic Serial communication; and briefly cover basic virtual prototyping. In case you haven’t noticed, the key word here is “basic.”

Students will create three simple circuits highlighting analog and digital forms of    input and output, get started with the Arduino programming environment, and briefly discuss programming and virtual prototyping.  Students will receive one SparkFun Inventor’s Kit.


Concepts covered in this class:

• Using a breadboard
• Ohm’s Law
• Digital and Analog
• Input and Output
• Arduino programming environment basics
• Serial Monitor usage with text, variables and pin states
• Also, depending on class interest: creating schematics and PCBs using the educational prototyping tool Fritzing, continued exploration of circuits, and/or a brief example of sensor calibration.

Where?

SparkFun Electronics
6175 Longbow Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
303-284-0979
education@sparkfun.com

When?

Saturday, November 10, 2012
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST (with an hour break for lunch)
https://learn.sparkfun.com/events/13

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