M
[email protected]
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Ron Hackett's recent US "Nuts & Volts" Picaxe micro. articles have
certainly raised the profile of the UK sourced Picaxe microcontroller
family ! Admirably so too- you'll do more with them in 30 minutes than
you may manage otherwise in 30 days...
Local 12yo. NZ kids on a "boring/nothing to do" Easter holiday
stimulated me to modify a dirt cheap "Electronic Brain Box" kitset I'd
pointed them to at Dick Smith Electronics ( => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/reumick.jpg
) so it'd instead suit initial Picaxe microcontroller work. It's been
highly successful ( & cheap)- see pix & comments at
=> www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/ebb08jnr2.jpg &
=> www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/ebb08jnr.jpg &
=> www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/ebb08reu.jpg
My initial "hack" was by hand ,but streamlining onto a small PCB
would be preferred.
The idea is to build initial confidence with a LEGO style technique
that they'll already be pretty familiar with, so they can then move on
to the more professional ( & full featured ) Rev. Ed soldered kits
etc. Learn to walk before you climb stuff.
This so called "Picaxe Junior" approach only offers 3 I/Os ( 1,2,4 ),
which will be plenty for initial teaser work I'd say. Of course even
the basic 08 could be used too- a great way to clean them out?
Feedback appreciated, especially regarding the likely
suitability for pre & early teens in schools with zilch budgets &
weak electronics teaching skills. Yes- handy for weary eyed seniors
too!
More details => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz
certainly raised the profile of the UK sourced Picaxe microcontroller
family ! Admirably so too- you'll do more with them in 30 minutes than
you may manage otherwise in 30 days...
Local 12yo. NZ kids on a "boring/nothing to do" Easter holiday
stimulated me to modify a dirt cheap "Electronic Brain Box" kitset I'd
pointed them to at Dick Smith Electronics ( => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/reumick.jpg
) so it'd instead suit initial Picaxe microcontroller work. It's been
highly successful ( & cheap)- see pix & comments at
=> www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/ebb08jnr2.jpg &
=> www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/ebb08jnr.jpg &
=> www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz/ebb08reu.jpg
My initial "hack" was by hand ,but streamlining onto a small PCB
would be preferred.
The idea is to build initial confidence with a LEGO style technique
that they'll already be pretty familiar with, so they can then move on
to the more professional ( & full featured ) Rev. Ed soldered kits
etc. Learn to walk before you climb stuff.
This so called "Picaxe Junior" approach only offers 3 I/Os ( 1,2,4 ),
which will be plenty for initial teaser work I'd say. Of course even
the basic 08 could be used too- a great way to clean them out?
Feedback appreciated, especially regarding the likely
suitability for pre & early teens in schools with zilch budgets &
weak electronics teaching skills. Yes- handy for weary eyed seniors
too!
More details => www.picaxe.orcon.net.nz
