About this Event
This class is geared for total beginners in electronics and programming but more advanced Makers are always welcome.
All Raspberry Pi products before Pico were full computer systems running an operating system and multiple programs. Meanwhile, I have been teaching classes on Arduino and similar microcontroller boards which run a single dedicated real time program. RPi shook the hobby electronics world last year when they introduced the MicroPython capabile 133 MHz Pico microcontroller. After selling two million units, they shook our world again a few weeks ago with the introduction of the $6 Pico W - an RPi Pico microcontroller with WiFi capabilities. I immediately decided to start training on this amazing device.
Goals are to:
- Understand a bit about microcontrollers and programming in MicroPython
- Load MicroPython on the Pico W
- Wire up and test a temperature sensor and other simple circuits on the breadboard
- Load a program to tweet the temperature to you on a regular basis
- Simulate an alarm which triggers a tweet
- Leave with the knowledge, documentation, parts list and programs to acquire your own parts to repeat the exercises at home and expand on them.
I like to encourage students without electronics or programming experience to see that its possible to jump into the microcontroller hobby and see that it can be easy and fun. Knowledge can be furthered by taking other DMS classes, internet tutorials and youtube videos.
Students will each use a parts kit containing an RPi Pico W, DS18B20 temperature sensor, light sensor, breadboard and other components. All you need to bring is your laptop.
The class is limited to eight so I can work with everyone as needed.
Special Considerations and Warnings
Please bring your notebook computer. All other parts are supplied.
In case you must cancel, please so so as early as possible. A no-show or late-cancellation on a popular class with limited size often means that someone looking for a seat is denied the opportunity.