Please Note: We are at Gallery Oldham for two days, Friday 17th February for the all ages drop-in Make Stuff event, and Saturday 18th for adult workshops.
This page is to book for the adult workshops only, please go here to book the family event.
Have you ever fancied trying your hand at coding, or creating your own interactive digital projects and devices? Then join us on Saturday 18th February at Gallery Oldham for Programming 101 or Introduction to Arduino!
Both short workshops are suitable for people who are experienced with using a computer, but beginners to coding and using it to develop projects. You can do both classes or just the one, it's completely up to you!
Programming 101
Overview
Time: 10:15 - 13:15
Cost: £3 Returnable Deposit
Programming 101 is a whistle-stop tour of everything programming languages can do. A practical session using Python: a language that is beginner-friendly, but still presents enough of a challenge to be interesting – you can think of it a bit like those bumper lanes at the ten-pin bowling alley.
We’ll cover the differences between ‘natural language’ and ‘formal language’, and functions common to nearly all programming languages: data types, inputs and outputs, data structures and loops. You’ll also create your first program!
What You Need to Know
- Basic computer skills (opening software, editing files and so on) are required
- You will need to bring your own laptop (with power supply) to take part in any of the classes. Although we do have a limited number of laptops available to borrow - please state your preference when booking.
- Before attending the workshop you will need to download and install Python 2.7 (not Python 3), which you can get here
- Under-16s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
Introduction to Arduino
Overview
Time: 14:15 - 16:45
Cost: £3 Returnable Deposit
-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
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!
What You Need to Know
- Basic computer skills (opening software, editing files and so on) are required, and some programming experience (e.g. Javascript or Python) is desirable.
- You will need to bring your own laptop, running a recent version of Windows, or Mac OS with a working USB port (with power supply) to take part in any of the classes. We do have a limited number of laptops avaiable to borrow - please state your preference when booking.
- Under-16s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
Any questions, then please contact: sarah.unwin@madlab.org.uk