Hands On Basic Electronics

In addition to his regular engineering work, Andrew also volunteers as a shop lead and instructor at Artisan's Asylum in the Electronics and Robotics Shop. Integrating controls, sensors, actuators, and associated hardware is incredibly fun and always interesting. He also helps artists with kinetic art and sculpture projects and has taught them a few tricks for keeping their projects documented and easy to work on. He does a bit of origami and has been a street performer and instructor for many years. He’s designed a few novel and original origami models and made classic moving (kinetic) origami pieces out of metal. Origami is generally considered an art, but there is quite a bit of mathematics behind it.

Mike Beach is an Electrical Engineer, Asylum member since 2012, has taught and co-taught several courses, cares more about how the electrons are feeling than programming, really likes learning about and using all kinds of sensors, and just can’t stop showing how to use that oscilloscope to help you debug (just ask Kevin), and is an active participant and mentor at the Circuit Hacking night held at the Asylum every Wednesday.

Have you been interested in learning to work with electronics but haven’t known where to start?

This class is for you! It will be a hands-on, practical crash course that will give you the skills to do simple electronic projects. You will walk away knowing the basics of circuit theory, how to prototype circuits on a breadboard, how to troubleshoot them, and how to solder them together.

The class consists of four two-hour classes. In each class, we will complete at least one project, and you’ll go home with some fun things you have created. Students who want more time at Artisan's Asylum to work on their projects can attend Artisans Asylum’s weekly Circuit Hacking Night on Wednesday Nights.

The materials fee for this class is $30. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts cash or payments through Venmo.

• Learn an overview of electronic terminology - and build some stuff!
• Learn how to make use of the E&R shop.
• Learn how to use a multimeter to measure voltage, current, and resistance.
• How to use a multimeter (DMM) to help solve your circuit problems.
• How to test and debug a circuit.
• What components look like and why we use them.
• Learn fundamental concepts pertaining to electricity and electrical components.
• Leave with basic skills that will enable you to take on independent projects.
• You’ll build and take home your own blinky light circuit, Drawdio noisemaker, Joule Thief battery vampire.
• Learn how to read basic schematics, proper use of a multimeter and oscilloscope, and various electron wrangling skills.

• Small breadboard,
• following electronic components:
• 2N3904 NPN transistor,
• Various Ohm ¼ W resistors
• 3x LEDs of random colors, blue, red, green, or yellow, one white LED (with clear lens)
• Momentary push button switch
• small diodes
• Small potentiometer
• 100uF capacitor
• DC motor with brushes
• Bundle of breadboard wires
• AA battery holder with wires, 2x AA battery,
• Fresh 9V battery and holder
• Velleman Flashing LED kit, MK102
• All the parts to build a Drawdio (based on a ‘555 timer, small speaker, a pencil, etc)

Their curiosity, a little patience, and something to take notes with.

Students must be 12 years old or older. All students under 18 must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artisan's Asylum, 96 Holton Street, Boston, United States