Spark Fun (Arduino) Workshop/ Maui Makers - October 19, 2013

Today I attended an exciting workshop sponsored by MEDB and Makers.  I was making all kinds of circuits using Arduino (made by SparkFun).  Three lecturers were Brian Wong (Education Engineer), Jim Lindblom (Design Engineer), and Ben Leduc-Mills (Education Engineer).  Spark Fun offer kits for students with education discount.  We have to email education@sparkfun.com to ask for discount.  They utilize open source hardware platform so all of their information is shared online. 

 

In the picture are Jerry Isdale (from Mauimakers.com), Brian Wong from Spark Fun and me. 

 

We worked with Arduino produced from Spark Fun.  Their processor is 16MHz and we made LED light up (dim/fade & blink).  In addition, we used light sensor (photo sensor) to detect room light intensity. Also connected the sensor to LED light.  According to light intensity in the environment, the LED light dimed and brightened.  I also hooked the set up to a motor and made it spin.  Most of the workshop was spent on writing programs and understanding the board.  There were so many cool things in the kit that I wanted to try out especially the LCD screen and potentiometer.  I can see that students can use it for science projects but it does take time to learn it initially. 

 

 

This company can produce great PDs for science teacher across the state.  I am planning to work in connecting them to our DOE.  I wish our physics teachers and electronics teacher could have come to join us.  Students would have loved this little device especially to light up their clothes and glasses.  Really cool stuff!!!