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Michael ShilohTeach Me To Make

michael@teachmetomake.com

My name is Michael Shiloh. I'm a tinkerer and teacher, interested in teaching by building. Together with my partner we run a teaching organizationcalled "teach me to make"

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I'm a co-founder of makingthingsjust one of many computer interface thingsall trying to do what arduino finally did right

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my main interest is in teachingelectronics using tinkering and contraption building. I've worked with adults

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As well as children

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We like using common household objects* everything exposed* extremely low cost* can be duplicated with salvaged components

Important because1. seem to demystify science when objects are familiar2. allow duplication

We are extremely committed to allowing others toreproduce what they learn with us without having to buy any special parts

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For instance, here is a left and right controls for an RC vehicle using clothespins

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And here is a vehicle constructed with Popsickle sticks

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We use the same philosophy when we developed our Arduino robotic project

we've had really good results with almost everything we've done,but there is one thing that consistently seems to be a stumbling blockfor many newcomers.

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since our goal is to inspire in newbies some of theexcitement and passion we havefor tinkering and electronics, it really bothers usthat this turns so many people away

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What to do

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for simple circuits i don't use any form of breadboardingi want students to understand the importance and feel of a good solidmechanical and electrical connection

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even further, when possible i make them cut ans strip their ownjumpers. again, it demystifies the process (there is nothingmagical about a connector on the end) and gives them the skill andunderstanding to use any scrap cable for their own projects

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this is a great first project, hard to get wrong, great lesson inseries circuits and good connections

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how much more obvious is this parallel circuit?you can go quite far twisting wires together,but newbies are usually less awarethan we are of short circuit potentialsbut what to do about more complex circuits?

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i've always loved old radios

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easy to see what's going on, easy to follow circuitinspires the sense of "I could do that"

How many of you know that this is where the word breadboard comes from?

It's in this picture

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Here is a typical arduino LED project

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typical arduino sensor

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and here's the same thing on a block of wood.so i tried this at one of my classes

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they loved it

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here is an arduino implemented on a solderless breadboard ...

… as used on one of our coffeebots.

can this be done on wood?

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I did cheat and use a perf board to connect to the chip, but this could be avoided as well

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Power supply

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crystal

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An entire arduino on a piece of wood

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A problem: pin spacing is too small for most nails, and tiny brads are hard to work withI'm open to suggestions

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Michael ShilohTeach Me To Make

michael@teachmetomake.com

Thanks!