Go from blinking an LED to virtual prototyping in seven hours and still have time to eat lunch! This class is for anyone who has never played around with Arduino before and those who have played around a little bit but aren't entirely sure about how the basics work. It's easier than you think! We will put together basic single component electrical circuits, learn about analog and digital, input and output, basic programming concepts, practice very basic Serial communication, and briefly cover basic virtual prototyping. In case you haven't noticed the key word here is basic.

Students will create three simple circuits highlighting analog and digital forms of input and output. Get started with the Arduino programming environment, briefly discuss programming and virtual prototyping. Depending on class interest, Arduino-related educational techniques may be discussed as well. Students will receive one SparkFun Inventor's Kit and an Educational Material Binder in both physical and digital format.

Concepts covered in this class:

• Concepts that will be covered include:
• Using a breadboard
• Ohm's Law
• Digital and Analog
• Input and Output
• Arduino programming environment basics
• Serial Monitor usage with text, variables and pin states
• Creating schematics and PCBs using the educational prototyping tool Fritzing

Prerequisites: You should have a basic understanding of what series and parallel mean.

Note: It might be a good idea to install the Arduino and Fritizing software on your computer before the class. Click here for instructions on installing the Arduino software, and here to install the Fritzing software.

**What to bring: **A laptop and some lunch (or visit a nearby restaurant).

Date: Saturday, April 30^th 2011
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM (with a break for lunch from 12 - 1)
Location:SparkFun
Instructors: TBA