This summer we will be having a series of robotics themed workshops leading up to Boise Bot Competition 2010 (more exciting info regarding that soon) This year we’ve built onto everything we achieved last year and hope to continue to evolve it into a truly great community event.  Below you will find a list of the workshops we will be facilitating in the coming months.

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Glowing robot brain...

July 24th, 2010- Robotic Combat Workshop

6PM-10PM

Kit cost is $24.99

Welcome for ALL AGES 8+ with a parent.  Some soldering skills will be needed.

UPDATE: Dave has changed the circuit into a  form that can be adapted both for Mini-sumo and Joust.  Participants will be able to compete in either event with the robots created at these workshops.

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August 20th, 2010, Living Inventions

Jansen Walker Legs

6PM-10PM

Ages 8+ with a parent

Kit cost is $49.99

Participants will build a mechanical walking leg system modeled after Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests by 4volt.com. The laser cut leg kits will be controllable with a microcontroller or simple analog circuit, they represent the possibilities of simulating new forms of life and interaction with nature through robotics.We will watch some great videos about living invetors and how they use open source technology and philosophies to spread their ideas across the world. Unlike with many of our workshops, this event will not be centered around the robotics, but the assembly of the mechanical structure. A simple phototrope  (light seeker) electronics kit will be supplied that can be assembled either at the workshop or at home.

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September 17th, 2010, Mini-Sumo

6PM-10PM

Ages 8+ with a parent.

Some soldering is required.

We will be building a Mini-sumo bot that fits the standard requirements for international robotic sumo tournaments.   In order to provide a diversity and recycling theme, we will be building a design that comes from the very pioneers of hobby robotics and the BEAM movement. A Mini-sumo ring will be set up so that we can spar the bots in preparation for the big event in October!

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A separate post will be set up for each workshop and you can preregister either at the store or via our contact form here on the site.

More info to come very soon!

These things have been here too long and are in their last days looking for a good home. Yours perhaps?

DYMO labeler

Laser Optics Assembly

Fiber Optic Multimeter

Pneumatic Cylinders

Notable new arrivals that came in this week.

PA Speakers

Dot Bar Generator for Video

3/4 HP Pump

Vintage Kodak Photo Filters

Normally when we have a workshop or build night at the store, we are concentrating on building a project either in a self guided way or all together.  When we do this it helps us all gain some information and skill on how to build things, both on the tech side and also just using hand tools.  Despite how fun this is, it can be nerve wracking to see if the project you’re building will actually work, or if its doesn’t, how to figure out how to make it work.  The Hack will be designed to examine the reverse side of that coin by starting with something that is already working (or partially…) and taking it  apart just to see what is inside and see if we can do something else with it. There is so much value in taking things apart just to see how they work.  It builds a comfort level when working with electronics  Bring down something you’d like to work with and modify like an electronic toy or keyboard..or one of those forest sound generating clocks, I’m gonna hack one of those.

Consider this an open house for open minds. The event is free of charge, and any parts you might need will be discounted 20% for the night. We’ll start at 6PM and go ’til 10PM. Bring a toy, or other gadget to hack and no worries about making a mess, that’s what our e-scrap recycling bin is for.

Hope to see you there!

Lambda Bench Power Supply

Polaroid Sheet Film

These are some notable new items we just got in the store today.  Come down and see what other goodies we’ve got!

Vacuum Table for Poster Printing

Emergency Response Backboard

Joule Thief LED Lamp Project +-+ Science and Technology

A good friend alerted me this morning of Erik Goodlad’s build video getting posted onto this electronic projects site.  Parts of the video have bits of scene from the old shop, and I can’t keep track of how many Joule Thieves we’ve built since these first ones.  Sometimes you need to take a second and look back at the things you’ve done, and this is a great memory.  More to come without a doubt.

-D