Tag Archives: physical computing

Introduction to Arduino Workshop: Tuesday, August 21, 2012

We are pleased to announce the following workshop!

What: Introduction to Arduino Workshop

When: Tuesday, August 21, 2012, 6-9pm

Where:Champlain College EMC, Lakeside

Instructor + Registration Contact:
Eric Hall, Workshop Coordinator
Email: eric (at) ransomhall (dot) com

Cost: $20 suggested donation, see Logistics below

 

Arduino Uno

What is Arduino?

Arduino is a tool for making computers that can sense and control more of the physical world than your desktop computer. It’s an open-source physical computing platform based on a simple microcontroller board, and a development environment for writing software for the board.

Why Arduino?

  • Inexpensive – Arduino boards are relatively inexpensive compared to other microcontroller platforms. The least expensive version of the Arduino module can be assembled by hand, and even the pre-assembled Arduino modules cost less than $50
  • Cross-platform – The Arduino software runs on Windows, Macintosh OSX, and Linux operating systems.
  • Simple, clear programming environment – The Arduino programming environment is easy-to-use for beginners, yet flexible enough for advanced users to take advantage of as well.

What we will cover:

  • Overview of the hardware, why it exists, and what kind of cool things can be done with it.
  • Installation of the Arduino programming environment on (your) Windows or Mac laptop.
  • Construct and program a “Hello World” example circuit, or two if time allows.

Logistics:

  • Register  by emailing Eric at the address listed above.
  • Attendees must bring their own Windows 7, Windows XP SP3, or Mac laptop (for now, sorry no Linux).
  • Arduino Unos and all required hardware will be provided for the class.
  • A donation of $20 (or more 🙂 ) is suggested, but not required. This money will be used to sponsor further workshops.
  • Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited to ten people, until we can expand our hardware library (again, you are encouraged to donate). If you have a friend and want to double up on one Arduino, please indicate so in the registration email.
  • Arduinos and additional hardware can be purchased through Vermont Makers for a discount after attending the workshop. We have educational discounts through SparkFun and Adafruit. Certain group minimum order restrictions apply.

This workshop is sponsored in part by the MFA in Emergent Media Program at Champlain College.

Blinkies, the Quadcopter, Thing-O-Matic and more! Vermont Makers Public Presentation


You are cordially invited to attend the first public meeting of Vermont Makers!

We are a small band of arduino and electronics enthusiasts. If you like to tinker, sculpt, experiment, make tools, make toys, make art, make music, make anything – please join us!

We’re planning a  fun evening of presentations with Vermont Makers and students from Champlain College. Subjects of our first presentation include blinkies, the Quadcopter, the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic and more!

Vermont Makers Public Presentation
Tuesday, April 3, 2012

6:30 PM
Emergent Media Center, Miller Center
Champlain College; Burlington, Vermont
This event is sponsored by the MFA in Emergent Media Program at Champlain College

  • Example: 175 Lakeside Avenue, Burlington, Vermont
  • Miller Center, Champlain College

For more information contact Jenn Karson or Ken Howell.

Presentation Details:

Illuminate Your Life: Experimenting with LED Electronics
Eric Hall

The mesmorizing light of LEDs

Let’s face it, LEDs are super cool. What is it about this clever way of producing light that is so mesmerizing? How did someone figure out how to make a mineral glow with just a tiny amount of electricity? When did it become so easy to control a house full of colorful and luminous lighting? We will explore these questions and more by discussing several aspects of this cool technology:

  • An introduction to the science and history behind light emitting diodes.
  • A review of the availability, cost, and quality of DIY LED lighting for the home.
  • Demonstrate a super cool project by (of course) making some lights blink!

Prepare to get your blinky fix!

Home Drone in Vermont
Steve Seremeth, Ed Haase

The adventures of building an arduino-based quadcopter: what inspired us to build one, what the project entails, and how you can make one, too.

Aeroquad the Open Source Quadcopter
Home Drone in Vermont

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentations by Champlain College Students
Recent projects and a demo of the MakerBot Thing-O-Matic

The MakerBot Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer
The MakerBot Thing-O-Matic 3D Printer

“The MakerBot 3-D printer offers the possibility of manufacturing products in the home almost as easily as printing a document with an inkjet printer. The company’s Thing-O-Matic machine moves in three dimensions to spray layers of colored plastic to form objects, some quite intricate. ”
-NY Times
Click here for the complete article