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SparkFun will be closed on Tuesday, November 5th to support our team in being able to go out and vote! Orders placed after 2 pm MT Monday, November 4th will ship on Wednesday, November 6th. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Today will serve as your final reminder of a group of three classes we have coming up next week on March 20th, 21st, and 22nd. This trifecta of classes will teach you all about building and using the SparkFun Simon Kit.
First we have the PTH Soldering Class. In this class, which takes place on March 20th, 2012 from 6 PM until about 9 PM, you'll learn the basics of through-hole soldering as you build your very own Simon Kit. We'll teach you the tips, tricks, and tools of the trade you'll need to start building your own embedded electronics projects. At the end of the class, you'll have a functioning Simon game.
Then on March 21st, 2012 from 6 PM to around 10 PM (depending on how fast of a solderer you are), we are hosting the Simon SMD Soldering Class. In this class, you'll learn how to solder more advanced surface mount parts.
Lastly on March 22nd, 2012 from 6 PM to about 10 PM, we'll have the Simon Sketch Class. In this class, you'll learn how to take your already-built Simon and repurpose it for use with Processing.
The Simon platform has truly become one of our favorite learning tools and we think these three classes combined provide a solid base to start gallivanting about the world of embedded electronics. There is still room in all three classes, so sign up today! Hope to see you there!
When being english really puts you down. :(
Seconded
nice pi day logo!
So what is the youngest you guys have come to the soldering classes? I am tinking about geting into this with my son who is turning 6. I wish we could come to a class but driving from WV would just take too long. I video tutorial would be really cool though...
Go for it. I started with both my daughters a year or so ago and the youngest was 5 then. My advice would be that they hold the iron and you hold their hand initially. Show them in advance what they'll be doing so they have a sense of how long it takes to melt, they'll know to expect the smoke, etc. Have a good fan going to blow it away so it's not coming back at them (good practice for adults too, but kids are more prone to freak out when it first happens). Teach them safety, keeping the tip clean, etc.
If you need a first project, have THEM cut five pieces of stranded wire about 3-4" long (make them all equal). Have THEM strip each wire about 1/2 inch from both ends. Arrange the pieces into a star on your workbench so they can see what they're making. Then they can twist the ends together and solder to make the star permanent (use whatever "third hand" device you have to help out).
In my case, a popsicle stick and glue gun turned a star into a magic princess wand. Just like that, little makers are born.
I also took my older daughter to the SparkFun PTH class (she was 11 at the time) and there were a few 6-7 year olds in the class also.
Great thanks. I have a standing experiment day once a week with my 6yr old and as much fun as it is there are only so many times you can make soda rocket or do the mentos thing so thanks for the idea.
Check the description. We require an age of 8. Check with our education department first. education@sparkfun.com