Wednesday, January 29, 2014
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Propeller Incubator
4035 Washington Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70125

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The Maker Movement, labeled the “Third Industrial Revolution” by news outlets like Forbes and Wired, represents a new era where easy to learn tools- tools like 3D printers and programmable electronics- open the door to creativity and innovation.

While we drink and socialize, “Become a Maker 101” will introduce artists and hobbyists to the tech and tools of the Maker Movement, from electronics- LEDs, soldering, breadboards, accelerometers- to 3D printing. Once we’re familiar with what it means to be a “maker,” we’ll explore one of the cornerstone tools of the movement: the Arduino. Using this programmable circuit board, we’ll make LEDs blink and fade, and in the process, we’ll acquire the skills necessary to hack electronic Mardi Gras costumes.

This class is intended for artists, hobbyists, or DIY enthusiasts who are interested in learning about electronics, adding electronic bling to a bike or costume, or figuring out what the Maker Movement is all about. Although programming and electronics experience is helpful.

This class serves as a required prerequisite to “Hack-a-Costume: Mardi Gras Prep” on February 2, where you’ll put your skills to use to light up your Mardi Gras costume and impress your friends.

Class limited to 20 attendees
$25

Use your skills and attend “Hack-a-Costume” on Feb. 2
$50 – limited to 10 attendees

Teacher:

Jenna deBoisblanc is a New Orleans native, maker, programmer, artist, and teacher. She majored in physics, which served as her introduction to electronics and Arduinos. While living in New York City, she taught introductory electronics classes and took computer science courses at NYU. In her free time, she loves to tinker; some of her projects include programmable LED bike turning indicators and an electronic MIDI xylophone. Jenna is currently Chief Maker at MakerState, an education startup that’s bringing hands-on STEAM learning to kids around the country. For more information about her work, you can check out her website: jdeboi.com

Skills covered:

• Voltage, current, resistance
• Ohm’s Law
• LEDs
• Resistors
• Sensors
• Soldering
• Using breadboards
• Programming the Arduino

What can you do with an Arduino?

• Control LEDs
• Build a bike with turning indicators, strobe, and speedometer
• Build electronic instruments
• Hack a cool Mardi Gras costume

Required materials:

• Laptop
• Arduino software