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SparkFun Inventor's Kit Lab Pack - v4.1
Note for Educators: It is typical with the new Redboard Qwiic addition to the SIK that you will need to install new drivers. This may require you to obtain administrative privileges from your network or IT administrator in order to install these drivers. Please be sure to test the drivers before class and set aside some time with students in the classroom when installing the drivers.
The SparkFun Inventor's Kit Lab Pack v4.1 includes 10 complete Inventor's Kits, an SIK Refill Pack and 50 AA-sized batteries to get your students started in the world of electronics. The SIKs inside the Lab Pack have everything you need, including RedBoards, baseplates, breadboards and full-color, spiral-bound guidebooks containing step-by-step instructions with circuit diagrams and hookup tables. Each SIK comes in a handy carrying case and includes all the electronics components you need to complete five overarching projects consisting of 16 interconnected circuits that teach everything from blinking an LED to reading sensors. The culminating project is students' very own autonomous robot!
SparkFun packages everything educators need to get started with this platform in a variety of classroom and makerspace settings with diverse student populations. The hardware boards, cables and extra parts come pre-packaged, and our online support materials — including an online experiment guide — help you bring the power of the open source community to your classroom. Examples and curriculum materials are available from SparkFun and Arduino, as well as from other educators involved in this growing maker movement.
The Arduino programming environment is a free download, making getting started as simple as opening your kits, opening a programming window on your computer and loading example code to the microcontroller. Arduino is a model for the open source movement. All the basics in this C-based language are laid out in simple examples that students, teachers and parents can understand and work with right from the start by accessing the example files in the programming environment. The community support offered by Arduino is second to none. Hundreds of examples of code are available for free online, and wiring examples for hardware are easy to find. The Arduino hardware and software are C-based, and because of this they are easy to link to internet-based applications and common programs such as Excel, MATLAB, LabView and even POP3 mail applications. Also, Arduino has a free companion language, Processing, which gives users the ability to create very friendly interfaces that can graph, create gaming options and do a dizzying amount of data visualization.
- SIK Printed Guidebook (PDF, Download File: 31.9MB)
- SIK Guide Errata (v4.1)
- Online Experiment Guide
- RedBoard Qwiic Driver Install
- SIK Info Page
- Dimensional Drawing
- SIK Case Insert Files
SparkFun Inventor's Kit Lab Pack - v4.1 Product Help and Resources
Measuring Internal Resistance of Batteries
May 5, 2016
Classroom STEM activity that has students build a battery from a lemon, measure the open and closed circuit voltages, and determine the battery's internal resistance.
Light-Seeking Robot
November 28, 2017
We use parts from the SparkFun Inventor's Kit v4.0 to create a light-seeking robot that mimics the behavior of single-celled organisms.
Clap On Lamp
November 28, 2017
Modify a simple desk lamp to respond to a double clap (or other sharp noise) using parts from the SparkFun Inventor's Kit v4.0.
Endless Runner Game
November 28, 2017
We make a simple side-scrolling endless runner game using parts from the SparkFun Inventor's Kit v4.0.
SparkFun Inventor's Kit Experiment Guide - v4.1
August 8, 2019
The SparkFun Inventor's Kit (SIK) Experiment Guide contains all of the information needed to build all five projects, encompassing 16 circuits, in the latest version of the kit, v4.1.2 and v4.1.
Basic Character LCD Hookup Guide
May 28, 2019
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are a great way to output a string of words or sensor data to a display for visual feedback. In this tutorial, we'll learn about LCDs, how to print a string of words to a 16x2 basic character LCD and create custom characters.
How to Install CH340 Drivers
August 6, 2019
How to install CH340 drivers (if you need them) on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Core Skill: Robotics
This skill concerns mechanical and robotics knowledge. You may need to know how mechanical parts interact, how motors work, or how to use motor drivers and controllers.
Skill Level: Noob - You will be required to put together a robotics kit. Necessary parts are included and steps will be easy to follow. You also might encounter basic robotics components like bearings, mounts, or other hardware and need a general idea of how it goes together.
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Core Skill: DIY
Whether it's for assembling a kit, hacking an enclosure, or creating your own parts; the DIY skill is all about knowing how to use tools and the techniques associated with them.
Skill Level: Noob - Basic assembly is required. You may need to provide your own basic tools like a screwdriver, hammer or scissors. Power tools or custom parts are not required. Instructions will be included and easy to follow. Sewing may be required, but only with included patterns.
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Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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