It’s the best place to start for engineers, artists, tinkerers, budding entrepreneurs, and anyone with an active curiosity in making new hardware.

Over the years Arduino has been used to make all kinds of things, from tiny wearables to large-scale interactive installations. Some personal favourites:

-LEAP - A live-action game which pits players against a laser-equipped robot security system gone rogue

-Rachael Moat creates prototypes which encourage children with severe communication and learning difficulties to interact with the world around them

-Ardu-Sat - A “low-cost space research platform”

-Analogue Synthesizer - Hacking, with Arduino and Moog
About the workshop

Versatile, beginner-friendly, and above all fun, this workshop will give you an insight into how to get started with your own excellent digital-physical projects!

The workshop covers:

-Connecting and configuring an Arduino Uno, and uploading programs
-Using a breadboard to prototype circuits and interact with components through software
-An introduction to different components and how to use them
-Communicating between an Arduino and your computer
-Expanding your Arduino, and finding devices, support, and inspiration for new projects

The workshop fee includes lunch, tuition and an ARDX Experimentation Kit from Oomlout (worth £62!), containing an Arduino Uno (Classic) and all the wires and electronic components (LEDs, sensors, motors, buttons) you need to get started on a range of interesting projects.

Who is the workshop for?

This is an entry-level workshop, for those new to electronics prototyping, writing software, or both.

Basic computer skills (opening software, editing files and so on) are required, and some programming experience (e.g. Javascript or Python) is desirable.

If you are already reasonably comfortable with Arduino, please consider our Hands-on with the Internet of Things workshop. This takes a more in-depth look at how to interface Arduino with more complex components such as high-precision sensors and LED arrays.

Under-16s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

What do I need to bring?

You will need a laptop running a recent version of Windows, Linux or Mac OS with a working USB port. If you don’t have access to a computer please let us know in advance so we can arrange one for you. If you feel more comfortable using an external mouse, please bring one too.

Cost

£120 – including an ARDX Experimentation Kit.

£80 – if you already have an Arduino experimentation kit and plan to bring it on the day. Please let us know if you would like a list of components.

Your Tutor

Asa Calow is a creative technologist and co-founder of MadLab. He has been working with (and teaching) Arduino since the very beginning, with commissions including a wearable lie detector, an Oyster Card operated tarot machine, and more interactive light sculptures than you can shake a stick at. Most recently he has been using Arduino to build low-cost laboratory equipment using old lightbulbs and disk drives.

Booking your place

For your convenience, we offer a number of ways to book:

Book via our website www.madlab.org.uk
Invoice or PayPal - by phoning 0161 839 6324 or emailing office@madlab.org.uk
Payment by cheque - made out to MadLab CIC, and sent to MadLab 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HN
We also accept card payments in person
Please find MadLab's Cancellation Policy here.