[dorkbotdc-announce] Inaugural Dorkbot DC + Make:DC Workshop

[Dorkbot DC]

 WHAT:    *Inaugural DorkbotDC + Make:DC Workshop*
WHEN:    *16 January 2008 (Wednesday), 7 - 9pm*
WHERE:   Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences
              6th & E Streets, NW
              Washington, DC  20001
              (202) 334-1201 (for directions)
              Click here for a
map<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=500+Fifth+Street,+NW,+Washington+dc&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=57.684464,63.896484&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=38.896713,-77.018993&spn=0.007022,0.0078&z=17>
URLs:      http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/
              http://dorkbot.org/dorkbotdc/

ALWAYS FREE! (Except for materials, see below.)

*Feel free to forward this notice to other interested parties.*

Join us for the first-ever joint meeting of Dorkbot DC with the first-ever
meeting of Make:DC!

During this meeting, we will be building LED cubes as seen on the Make blog:

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/09/make_a_pocket_led_cube_we.html
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/09/make_a_pocket_led_cube_we_1.html

But we're going to improve on it by using an open-source Arduino
microcontroller instead of an ATtiny2313V.

The chosen project will provide an opportunity for participants to learn:

   - Structural and electrical soldering
   - Programming and usage of microcontrollers
   - Simple programming
   - About the economical but versatile Arduino microcontroller that
   participants can use as a basis for future projects

Participants should bring their own *safety glasses*, *the asterisked items*,
below, and as many of the others listed here as they can:

*Tools:*

   - soldering iron and stand
   - solder
   - wire cutters*
   - wire strippers
   - needle nose pliers
   - insulating tape (black electrical tape works well) and/or shrink-fit
   tubing

*Parts (or order parts through our group order; see below):*

   - Arduino or compatible unit
      - Diecimila PLUS USB board (fully assembled)
      -
         http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKARDIE&Show=ExtInfo
      - Boarduino (solderless Arduino clone)
      - http://www.ladyada.net/make/boarduino/
         - Bare Bones Arduino Kit (unassembled)
         -
         http://store.makezine.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKBBARD
         - Arduinos and related components:
         -
         http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=arduino&x=0&y=0

     *Please have your Arduino assembled by the meeting, if you buy it
unassembled.*

   - 47 Ohm resistor (yellow purple brown striped)
   - 27 LEDs
   - Wire (or paper clips work pretty well for this type of application)
   - Case for it all to go in. (you might be able to repurpose something
   as a case for more of a 'prototype' look. E.g., the Boarduino and a 9V
   battery should fit in a big Altoids case.)


Some kits will be pre-ordered at a discount but the window for *seriously
interested participants* to sign up for this option will close at 5 PM (ET)
on Friday, 21 December 2007. To order your kit using this method or to ask
questions regarding this event, let us know via the Dorkbot DC blabber
mailing list to which you can subscribe here:

Dorkbot DC-Blabber <http://dorkbot.org/mailman/listinfo/dorkbotdc-blabber> -
General Dorkbot DC discussion (medium traffic)
If you also want to keep up with upcoming Dorkbot DC events, you can
subscribe to the announcement list here:

Dorkbot DC-Announce
<http://dorkbot.org/mailman/listinfo/dorkbotdc-announce>-
Announcements of events (low traffic)

Experts will be on-hand to help novices with soldering techniques and other
instruction. Those *under 18 must have full-time supervision* by at least
one legal guardian.

*Background:

Dorkbot DC + Make: DC* joint meetings are guided educational experiences
that use the two hour period to build and/or program a simple electronic
device that teaches elements of the do-it-yourself ethic that has spawned
global groups such as *Dorkbot* (http://dorkbot.org) and the
*"maker"*movement, championed by the print and web publication,
*MAKE* (http://makezine.com ). MAKE's emphasis on hands-on instruction and
learning make it an ideal partner for Dorkbot in helping publicize and
widening the base for both organizations. *(Disclaimer: MAKE Magazine has no
direct involvement with MAKE clubs. Maker Media has encouraged their
creation, but has taken a hands-off approach.)*

Both of these organizations are in the vanguard of a growing movement that
encourages people to gain control of the tools and resources necessary to be
technically and artistically creative. MAKE, Dorkbot, and others like them
strive for an ecumenical approach to technology where collaborative, open
sourced projects and user-modifiable design are the ideals. These approaches
have already begun to affect the way that governments regulate technologies
and the way that technology companies design their products. Consumers are
reaping the fruits of this grass roots movement's influence. The projects
and methods covered during these workshop evenings will teach people to
modify and improve the objects they interact with daily and to view the
world around them as creative raw material.

We propose holding joint quarterly workshops for Make: DC and Dorkbot DC.
Please join the Dorkbot DC mailing list to stay informed about them and the
otherwise monthly Dorkbot DC presentations that take place at George
Washington University. Time permitting, we will also showcase additional
members' work in an *ad hoc* manner.
---
The mission of the *Marian Koshland Science Museum* is to engage the general
public in current scientific issues that impact their lives. The museum's
state-of-the-art exhibits, public programs, and educational programs provide
information that stimulates discussion and provides insight into how science
supports decision-making.

As "advisers to the Nation on science, engineering and medicine," studies
conducted by the National Academies influence public policy decisions
regarding controversial science-related matters.

Information on visiting the museum, including location and admission
details, can be found in Visitor
Information<http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/visitor/index.jsp>
.
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