A Very Raspberry Pi Day!

Pi Day[masked]!

There won’t be another one like this for 100 years! Let’s make it one to remember.

When: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday, March 14th, 2015

Where: Tech Artista

Cost: Free *PWYW (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-raspberry-pi-day-tickets-16091789977)(Pay What You Want)

Free Parking Now Available! (http://www.meetup.com/STL-Raspberry-Pi-Meetup/files/)

You can RSVP or Purchase a ticket through EventBrite (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-raspberry-pi-day-tickets-16091789977). If you are already a member through Meetup you do not need to register on EventBrite to attend for free, but feel free to purchase one of the donation tickets.

Pi Day is less than a week away!

First of all I am pleased to announce that we have some exciting presenters planned. I’ll tell you more about that later on.

The big news is that the location for the event has changed. We were not able to secure T-Rex within our budget. Fortunately the amazing team at Tech Artista saved the day! Tech Artista is a co-working space in the Central West End. Their space will more than meet our needs, and it is a fun layout.

The events of the last week have proven that we are shooting a little high for a free event. So we are going to try to raise a little money to cover costs. We will do this in two ways. The event will be PWYW (pay what you want) through EventBrite (http://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-raspberry-pi-day-tickets-16091789977), and we will be holding a silent auction during the event.

You are still more than welcome to attend for free. I believe that building a community like this is worthwhile and beneficial to St. Louis. I also think that there is a great opportunity to benefit each other. I’ve met some amazing people in St. Louis through this and other groups. We have the talent. Let’s do something with it! While we’re at it, let’s pass along something to the next generation. Please consider contributing by purchasing a ticket or donating items for the auction. All proceeds will go toward improving this event and making future events possible.

And now for the news of our presenters!

A team will be launching a near-space balloon mission that coincides with Pi Day. We will be monitoring the flight through remote sensors throughout the event! Dustin Mayfield-Jones will also be available for questions in a video link.

Peter Jansen, an expert in cognitive artificial intelligence, astro and optical physics, and sensor technology will also be participating! You might have heard of his Tricorder Project (http://www.tricorderproject.org/) (live long and prosper).

Tom Hart will be presenting his practical application of the Raspberry Pi. His team is integrating it into a new control system for a batting cage!

Finally, Ian Turner is hosting an interactive build session using a GOPiGO Robot! He's looking for help from all skill levels. Don't miss it!

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This Jam will build on what we’ve learned from previous events. Both as organizers and enthusiasts. As always we welcome new-comers young and old alike. We would also like to extend invitations to those in the business community looking to develop the Pi into products. Of course, we are hobbyists at heart so we really want to see the unique, strange, and “how did you do that?!” projects.

This event will be much longer, all day if possible. There will be scheduled presentations, workshops, and awards before lunch and work space available for projects throughout.

We need your help to make this possible!

Instead of waiting for the event to do a contest or challenge, the challenge starts now.

You can help in a number of ways:

Volunteer Staff:

Do you want to lead a workshop, mentor, give a presentation, or generally help out?

Fill out the registration form. (http://goo.gl/forms/qK3kpv90Fz)

Create a Tutorial:

There is a list of project ideas available here, or come up with your own.

Please document the steps you took to complete your project including any resources you used. Feel free to use other tutorials, just try to add some of your own style and creativity along the way! Don’t forget to make a video showing off you, your project, and the building process.

Fill out the registration form. (http://goo.gl/forms/bQg4Pk5gyr)

Take on an Event-Specific Project:

Photo booths are fun. What about having a video booth?

This could take on any form, but could you build a device that captures and posts to Vine then tweet the link!?

What other interactive project ideas do you have? (http://goo.gl/forms/bQg4Pk5gyr)

Become a partner:

We are bootstrapping this all the way. The more support we get the more we can offer. There are some amazing prizes that we would like to be able to offer as well as exciting hands-on projects that we could do with a little funding. We would also greatly appreciate help promoting the event and securing presenters. Please contact an organizer (Josh Krull (http://www.meetup.com/STL-Raspberry-Pi-Meetup/members/143286412/) or Anthony (http://www.meetup.com/STL-Raspberry-Pi-Meetup/members/8107018/)) if you would like to become a supporting partner.