Course Supplies

This is a materials-focused course. The Required section contains all of the supplies and materials you must acquire to complete the course. I have provided links to distributors where you can purchase your supplies through Adafruit or Amazon, but you can find these materials or tools through other distributors if you like. The Given section lists the project-based kits I will give you. The Shared section details the materials and tools available to you in the class locker.

You are expected to bring all required 
materials and tools to every class.

Required

The total cost of required materials will depend on what you already have from prior courses or interests. If you need to purchase ALL of the supplies new, the total cost will be approximately $80-100. I do not want the cost of this course to prevent anyone from taking it. Please reach out to me with concerns and we will work it out.

Note that this required list does not include materials needed for midterms and final projects.

  • Circuit Playground Express (CPX) | Note: This is the board we will use in class examples. Tt has many onboard inputs/outputs and does not require breadboarding, so it is good for beginners to learn on and grow with. However, you are welcome to use another board, but you are responsible for translating pins, programs, etc. as I cannot commit to supporting more than one board in class. Please email me with questions!
  • USB cable – USB A to Micro-B – 3 foot long for the CPX (If you do not buy from Adafruit, make sure you get a data cable, not a power one.
  • Small Alligator Clip Test Lead (Set of 18)
  • Multimeter
  • Sewing kit (specifically you need sewing needles, seam ripper, small scissors, thread, straight pins)
  • Scissors
  • Jewelry Plier Kit (make sure this includes needle nose pliers and snips!)
  • Masking or artists tape
  • Ruler
  • Scrap fabric and notions (some will be available in class)
  • Toolbox

Optional

The supplies below are not required, but may be helpful depending on the material direction you take and projects you choose to complete.

  • Soldering Iron | While this is optional, I strongly recommend investing in this as the irons in the lab can be hard to work with.
  • Lead-free Solder – the kit above comes with lead solder, but if you want a cheap, lead free option, this will work
  • Fabric Glue – we will have this in the locker, but if you plan to work extensively with conductive thread or fabric, I recommend you get this
  • Short Wire Alligator Clip Test Lead (set of 12) – these are only about 4 inches and great to keep wires from tangling
  • Tweezers – indispensable for surface mount soldering
  • Household Iron
  • Embroidery hoop – great for sewing with conductive thread 
  • Rotary cutter and mat – makes cutting fabric much easier!
  • Straight pins – to secure fabric in place while you sew
  • Lithium Ion Polymer Battery – 3.7v 400mAh – if you want to have your Circuit Playground Express untethered
  • LiPo Charger – to recharge the battery above

Shared

The supplies below will be available to you in the locker. Once we run out as a class, you will be required to purchase additional materials on your own. Please be considerate of your peers as you take materials.