Electronics
- Micro:bitSafety in the micro:bit workshop
We work like little engineers — carefully, safely and together
- Micro:bitElectric circuit
A first electric circuit with a battery, wires, a resistor and an LED: what current is, why a circuit must be closed and what to do if the LED won't light.
- Micro:bitElectricity detectives
Which materials conduct electricity, and which ones stop it?
- Micro:bitBreadboard lab
A breadboard for beginners: how the holes are connected underneath, and how to build a circuit without soldering in which a push button lights an LED.
- Micro:bitIntroduction to the micro:bit
What a micro:bit is and what's on it: LED display, A and B buttons, compass, accelerometer, temperature sensor, pins, Bluetooth radio, speaker, microphone.
- Micro:bitMy first program in MakeCode
A first micro:bit program in MakeCode: blocks, on start and forever, buttons A and B, the LED display, the simulator and copying it to the micro:bit.
- Micro:bitHow does our program think?
Five small MakeCode programs for the micro:bit (greeting, heart, buttons, dice, score counter): predict, run and change one thing to see how they work.
- Micro:bitSmart systems and connected devices
A smart crossroads with the micro:bit - from the LED screen to two traffic lights that talk to each other
- ArduinoSafety in the Arduino workshop
We work like engineers — we plan, build, measure and test
- ArduinoElectric circuit - basic concepts
The basics of an electric circuit: what current, voltage and resistance are, their units, and how to measure them with an ammeter, voltmeter and ohmmeter.
- ArduinoArduino, electronics and building your own devices
From your first electric circuit and C++ program to devices, automation and your own printed circuit board.
- ArduinoReview of electronics basics and measurement
Connect, measure, check: electronics basics through real components and hands-on experiments
- ArduinoArduino - step by step
An automatic light like a fridge light: push button, NPN transistor and LDR, then an Arduino that reads the light on A0 and dims an LED with PWM.
- ArduinoVoltage divider, Arduino and PWM
From measuring the voltage on a potentiometer to an LED that warns when a threshold is crossed
- ArduinoTraffic lights for cars and pedestrians
The Arduino controls a traffic light for cars, a pedestrian light and a sound signal, and our own function keeps the program short and easy to read
- ArduinoTwo traffic lights at a crossroads
Two Arduinos talk over a wire: traffic light A controls the crossroads, B listens and reports when it has stopped, and with millis() both notice a fault.
- ToolsResistors
Resistor colour code calculator: enter a value in ohms to see its colour bands, with an explanation of how to read resistors with 4 and 5 bands.
- ToolsResistors in series
Resistors in series calculator: enter the resistor values to get the total resistance when they are connected one after another.
- ToolsResistors in parallel
Resistors in parallel calculator: enter the resistor values to get the total resistance when they are connected side by side.
- ToolsResistor for an LED
Calculator for the resistor that limits the current through an LED
- ToolsCapacitors
Capacitor code calculator: enter a three-digit code (e.g. 104) to get the value in pF, nF and µF, with a table of common codes.
- ToolsCapacitors in series
Capacitors in series calculator: enter the capacitor values to get the total capacitance when they are connected one after another.
- ToolsCapacitors in parallel
Capacitors in parallel calculator: enter the capacitor values to get the total capacitance when they are connected side by side.
- ToolsCharacter generator
Character generator for LCD displays and LED matrices: draw your own character dot by dot and get a byte array for Arduino (C++).
- InfoElectronic components, symbols and schematics
Electronic components, their symbols and how a circuit schematic is drawn, with a table of common symbols: resistor, capacitor, diode, LED, transistor...
- InfoTools and materials you need
Where to get electronic components and soldering tools: local electronics shops, hackerspaces and online shops, with a checklist before you start.
- InfoBreadboard
How a breadboard works: which holes are connected, how to place components and wires, the power module, common mistakes and finding faults.
- InfoShort circuit
What a short circuit is, why it is dangerous, how it happens on a breadboard and an Arduino, and how to recognise, find and prevent it.
- InfoDiagrams
What block diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, flowcharts and timing diagrams are for, and how to read a schematic, with traffic light and SoundLab examples.
- Info29 misconceptions about electronics
29 common misconceptions about electronics: does a resistor use up current, can LEDs share a resistor, what is ground, why can't an Arduino pin drive a motor?
- ProjectsDrone
From measuring motors and analysing the power supply to the first working drone prototype.
- ProjectsSoundLab
SoundLab: a small musical instrument with an Arduino, potentiometers and an LM386 amplifier. We explore making sound, gain, noise and the power supply.
- ProjectsUseless box
A useless box with an Arduino and an SG90 servo that switches itself off: PWM, powering a servo and reading a switch.
