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Make a Color-Changing Silhouette Light with CircuitPython

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Tracey B.
Make a Color-Changing Silhouette Light with CircuitPython

Details

Join us for this in-person class where you will make and take a decorative shadowbox light you can control by touch or remotely from your phone, and learn how to program a microcontroller using CircuitPython along the way.

See it in action: https://imgur.com/a/0VcPacl

Cost: Members $50, Non-members $60
**Payment instructions and Covid-19 procedures are below. **

No coding or electronics experience is necessary! If you do have programming experience, you can take project customization even further. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to check in and get settled. The class will start on time.

Project parts & materials are INCLUDED in the class price, including a reusable Circuit Playground Bluefruit: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4333

A laser-cut silhouette of the Sunshine Skyway bridge is backlit by a strip of NeoPixel addressable RGB LEDs. These are powered by a Circuit Playground Bluefruit microcontroller and the CircuitPython programming language.

During the class you will:

  • Learn how artwork is prepared for the laser cutter
  • Assemble the components in the frame
  • Hook up the NeoPixel strip to the Circuit Playground
  • Load the CircuitPython code onto the microcontroller
  • Learn about the sensors built into the Circuit Playground
  • Use a phone, tablet, or laptop to control your Circuit Playground and NeoPixels over Bluetooth (BLE)

From there, instruction and guided experimentation will allow you to customize your finished product by changing the color patterns, controls, and other aspects of the project.

The electronics will be hidden in the finished project, which can be hung on a wall or displayed on a table. The Circuit Playground will be attached in a non-permanent "bolt-on" fashion, so you can easily remove it later to update the code or use it for additional CircuitPython programming exploration. The laser-cut silhouette can also be changed out later if desired.

**Each student will need to bring a laptop with an open USB port, and a Micro-USB data cable. ***

The finished project will require a USB power supply or battery (a phone charger will work fine) for display, not included.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
The member price is for paid members of Tampa Hackerspace. Information on becoming a paid member can be found on our website (http://tampahackerspace.com/membership). You can pay for the class at our Square Marketplace https://tampahackerspace.square.site/product/circuit-playground-make-and-take/79 .

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Payment is expected within 24 hours of your RSVP. YOU WILL BE ON THE WAITING LIST UNTIL YOUR PAYMENT IS RECEIVED
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Class size: 8 (minimum 3)

COVID-19 safety measures

Masks required
Event will be indoors
COVID-19 precautions (subject to change as local conditions evolve): 1. If you are sick, change your RSVP and stay home. 2. Properly worn face coverings are required. If you aren't able to wear a mask covering your mouth and nose, we are not able to accommodate you at this time. 3. You may be temperature screened when you arrive. 4. If the host is not comfortable with your participation, you could be asked to leave. This is done for the safety of everyone in the group.
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.
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