SparkFun Arduino Electronics Training! Ages 10+

Are you ready for some awesome maker stuff?!

Join us and SparkFun Education for an amazing all-day workshop.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/6/b/2/event_163814002.jpegGo from blinking an LED to virtual prototyping in seven hours and still have time to eat lunch! This class is for anyone who has never played around with Arduino before and those who have played around a little bit but aren’t entirely sure about how the basics work. It’s easier than you think! We 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.

Introduction to the Arduino

Ages: 10+ years, a parent may join their child in learning this amazing technology

Tuesday, October 16

9am-6pm, with a lunch break

Cost: $145/student, includes take home equipment valued at $125

Must bring own laptop

Location: Long Beach Sea Scout Base in Naples: 5875 Appian Way, LB (near 2nd St.) Plenty of parking.

Sky Mountain vendor: George A. Castro, gee!

Students will create three simple circuits highlighting analog and digital forms of input and output. Get started with the Arduino programming environment, briefly discuss programming and virtual prototyping. Depending on class interest, Arduino-related educational techniques may be discussed as well. Students will receive one SparkFun Inventor’s Kit (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10173), a $125 value.

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
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.

Prerequisites: You should have a basic understanding of what series and parallel mean.

Note: Please install the Arduino and Fritizing software on your computer before the class. Click here for instructions on installing the Arduino software (http://arduino.cc/hu/Main/Software), and click here for Fritzing download (http://fritzing.org/download/).

What to bring: A laptop and some lunch (or visit a nearby restaurant)

SparkFun Education (http://learn.sparkfun.com/) provides resources for educators to teach 21st century hardware and software skills. They are dedicated to rounding up people from all different walks of life and getting them interested in the world of electronics. Their goal is to create fun and hands-on ways of helping people learn skills that will last a lifetime. They love to watch people come up with innovative projects.

Check out this video, Intro to the Arduino (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqrQmQqpHXc&w=560&h=315)

RSVP as yourself for one student or one student/parent pair, then submit your PO or send payment by October 13. Use Amazon payments or paypal to gccoaching@yahoo.com.

If you would like to send a check, please make payable to Long Beach BSA and send to Long Beach Area Council Boy Scouts of America, 401 E. 37th St., PO Box 7338, Long Beach, CA 90807. Let me know if you have any questions.