PVM Workshop: Make your very Own Arduino Powered NAMETAG!!

PVM Workshop: Make your very Own Arduino Powered NAMETAG!! Wednesday, August 21, 2013
6:00 PM

Geek Group of Western MA
34 Front St., Indian Orchard, MA (map)

The Geek Group of Western Mass is proud to announce that we will be hosting a series of workshops on fabricating and programming your (https://www.meetup.com/your) very own Arduino-powered digital LED NAMETAG! Actually.. it doesn't really need to be a nametag at all.. once you've made it, you can by safesaver">program (https://www.meetup.com/Creating-a-makerspace-in-the-Pioneer-Valley-you-in/events/131567212/#) it to print out whatever you want.. but hey.. its one idea!

We hope to record the by safesaver">event (https://www.meetup.com/Creating-a-makerspace-in-the-Pioneer-Valley-you-in/events/131567212/#), and then make parts of it available online via our website.

The Goal

You will be instructed on how to build your (https://www.meetup.com/your) own LOL shield, which is essentially a circuit board with a Lot Of Leds on it. An example of a LOL shield kit is here .. but don't run out and buy it just yet, because I'm guessing we can find it cheaper elsewhere. Once the LOL shield is built, you'll attach it to an Arduino Board (http://www.arduino.cc/), which is essentially a little hobby electronics board that you can write and run software on. Then, once everything is connected, we'll show you how to upload the necessary software libraries onto the board. Finally, you'll have to write a little code to make the LED's DO SOMETHING AWESOME!

So... there it is. My guess is that this will likely turn into a 1-3 workshop activity. We'll see how far we get after the first workshop and go from there.

Things you'll learn from these workshops:

• Soldering 101: How to solder effectively and efficiently

• The basic components and concepts of an Arduino Board

• Programming 101: the basics about how to program for the Arduino

What's the take-away?

After all is said and done, you'll be able to walk out with your (https://www.meetup.com/your) creation and the knowledge that you created it.

Experience required?

None... just bring your willingness to learn and your thinking caps.

Equipment List
1x Arduino Uno (see #1)
1x LOL Shield kit (see #1)
1x Arduino USB cable (see #1)
1x laptop (see #2)
1x by safesaver">soldering iron (https://www.meetup.com/Creating-a-makerspace-in-the-Pioneer-Valley-you-in/events/131567212/#) (see #3)
1x spool of solder (see #3)
1x wire cutter (see #3)
(optional) 1x De-soldering braid (for cleaning up solder blobs)
(optional) 1x Digital multimeter (for connectivity testing)

#1: You can buy the Arduino Uno board at banggood (http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-UNO-Arduino-Compatible-R3-ATmega328P-ATMEGA16U2-AVR-USB-Board-p-68537.html?currency=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_content=miko_ruby&utm_campaign=Electronics&gclid=CPOA4oe20bgCFUui4AodejYAIw) or ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNO-R3-MEGA328P-ATMEGA16U2-Compatible-Arduino-Free-USB-Cable-/380685910454?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a2a601b6), both listing at about $10. You can buy the LOL shield kit at MakerShed (http://www.makershed.com/LoL_shield_for_Arduino_p/mkjr3.htm) for $25, ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251203077261?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649) for $14. If you look and find a better deal at some other site, please message the group!

#2: The Geek Group Space has 11 by safesaver">laptops (https://www.meetup.com/Creating-a-makerspace-in-the-Pioneer-Valley-you-in/events/131567212/#) available for use on a first come/first serve basis. Please let us know BEFORE the meetup if you think you will not be able to bring your own laptop
#3: Do your best to bring these things. If you don't have them, we hope to have some available for use on a first come/first serve basis. Please let us know BEFORE the meetup if you think you will not be able to bring any of these materials.

Cost

My guess is the cost of everything on the equipment list will be somewhere between $30 and $50. More details to come once the equipment list is finalized!

Personally, I'm pretty excited about this and I look forward to building with you all!

~Glen