Makers, engineers, creatives, artists, teachers, and geeks from around the world will come together on March 21 for Arduino Day—a celebration of the open-source, tiny single-board computer beloved by technology enthusiasts.
Northeast State has joined the Arduino (ar-dwee-no) party, which will occur across the globe in more than 100 countries. The College’s event is set for 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Basler Library on the Blountville campus. It is currently the only celebration scheduled in Tennessee.
Individuals interested in attending Northeast State’s Arduino Day can register the day of the event at the Basler Library. It is free and open to the public.
For the uninitiated, Arduino is a simple computer that uses Arduino hardware, software, and code. The device is designed to be simple, fun, and inexpensive so that anyone can use it to build and create gadgets. Some examples include sensors, robots, musical instruments, and even cell phones.
The event will feature discussions, examples of Arduino-driven devices, and door prizes. One lucky registrant will be chosen to receive an Elegoo starter kit that includes just about anything to inspire the creative mind. For example, a breadboard, a joystick, a servo motor, an ultrasonic sensor, a remote, and an led display.
“The idea is that you can programmatically control things with these computers,” said Northeast State’s John McMeen, a Computer and Information Sciences instructor and Arduino Day organizer. “It is one of the most popular microcontrollers for learning and prototyping.”
McMeen is currently at work on a digital trombone, which is a tube with a light in one end and an optical theremin (light sensor) at the other end. Sound will be produced by moving the light back and forth, and McMeen said he hopes to build a tunable instrument that will emit realistic notes.
In another project, McMeen is working with his students to produce garden sensors that can monitor moisture, temperature, and pH balances in soil.
“There are tons of applications, and the great thing is that it only costs about $25 to get most of the parts you need,” McMeen said. “The Arduino bridges the gap between science and art, and it’s accessible to just about anyone.”
The celebration will coincide with a Super Smash Brothers Tournament also set that day from noon until 8:30 p.m. in the Basler Library, 2425 Highway 75, Blountville. For more information, visit https://smash.gg/tournament/northeast-state-community-college-acm-charity-smash-bros-monthly-3.