BADGE – Intro to Electronics & Microcontrollers

What You Will Learn:

•  Electronics Basics: An introduction to electricity and electronics including volts, amps, ohms, watts, and their relationships with a focus on how to be safe around higher voltage electricity. A short explanation of how to use a digital multimeter will also be provided, an essential tool for anybody working with electronics! 
• Introduction to Microcontrollers: Understand what microcontrollers are and how they differ from other computing devices.
• Microcontroller Components: Explore the essential components of a microcontroller, including the CPU, memory, input/output pins, and more.
• Programming Microcontrollers: Learn how to write code for microcontrollers in the simplest program available: MicroBlocks! This is really easy to get the hang of incredibly fast.
• Interfacing with Sensors: Discover how to connect microcontrollers to various sensors and gather data from the physical world.
• Control and Automation: Explore how microcontrollers can control devices, automate processes, and build smart systems.
• A Hands-On Project: Get hands-on experience with microcontrollers by working on simple projects and practical exercises.

Who Should Attend:

• Makers and DIY enthusiasts
• Electronics hobbyists
• Students interested in electronics and programming
• Engineers and professionals who are looking to add microcontroller skills to their toolkits.

Prerequisites:

• Basic skills working with PC or Laptop, navigating using a browser.
• If you have a PC laptop with Bluetooth, bring it along. Not required- MAKE has desktop PCs.
• No programming or electronics skills are required – you’ll learn what you need in the class.

About the Instructor:

Paul Sakion is a technical writer and trainer with many years of experience presenting complex topics in fun, simple terms. As an Electrical Engineer, he has extensive experience with a wide variety of electronic equipment. His specialties include robotics, the internet of things (IoT), home automation, DIY websites, audio/music, Raspberry PI computing, sensors, and much more. If you’ve ever wanted a peek “under the hood” of how robots work or wanted to quickly get over the hurdle of adding electronics to your own project, this is the course for you.