This class does not assume or require any previous experience, and the goal is to give you some hands on experience working with an arduino microcontroller on some simple projects.  By the end of the class, you should also understand how to find help as you work on more complicated projects.

We will start with the basics, getting familiar with some of the different components on an Arduino board and their functions, as well as power sources, and different types of memory.

Next, we’ll learn how to use the IDE to program an arduino microcontroller and see output from a serial connection.

Following this, we’ll spend some time understanding the input and output pins on the microcontroller and how they can be used to read from and control peripheral devices.

Then, we’ll try using some more complicated peripherals and talk about how to use the many, many libraries for the arduino that are freely available.

And finally, we’ll wrap it up by talking about how to move forward from here, including how to get more information and answers to your questions as you work on more involved projects.

This is a lot of material to cover, so we’ll move fairly quickly, and we may not get to it all (this will be the first time we’ve offered this class).  But, by the end of the class, you should feel confident enough to start tackling bigger projects on your own.

The materials required for this class are:

   – an Arduino Uno or compatible microcontroller

   – a USB cable to connect the Arduino to your laptop

   – a breadboard

   – assorted jumper wires

   – a few resistors

   – several LEDs

   – two tactile pushbuttons

   – an ultrasonic distance sensor (HC-SR04)

   – a piezoelectric buzzer/speaker

   – a laptop computer with the Arduino IDE installed before class; you can find the IDE here (https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software) and a tutorial to walk you through the installation can be found here if you need clearer instructions (https://learn.adafruit.com/lesson-0-getting-started – this site has a number of other great tutorials as well!).  If you have trouble getting the IDE installed, please contact us so we can help you get that done before the class.

If you don’t have all of this (most people won’t), we do have some kits containing all of the necessary parts (except the laptop!) available for $20 (the microcontroller is a generic copy of the Arduino).  If you are going to bring your own parts, please contact the instructors if you are unsure whether your components will be compatible with the class.

If you would like to sign up, you can make payment via PayPal.  Send payment to theashevillemakers@gmail.com and include a comment with your name, contact info, and indicating that the payment is for the intro to arduino class ($20), or for the class and a kit ($40).  You can also pay in person at our weekly social gatherings, each Tuesday at7:00 in the makerspace.  Spots will be on a first come, first serve basis, and no spot wil be held until payment is received.

If you are a member of the Asheville Makers, you will still need to make a payment to reserve a spot.  However, if you attend the class, your $20 for the class will be refunded to you.  If you skip the class, you will forfeit your $20.

If you have any questions, you can send them to theashevillemakers@gmail.com, post them on our Google Group, or stop by one of our Tuesday meetings.

Hope to see you there!