The Spark, @ UNT Library
Locations:
Email: TheSpark@unt.edu
Podcast: UNT MindSpark
Phone:
| Electronics, Programming and Prototyping |
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Are you interested in programming and electronics development? Did you know in electronics prototyping is the development of a circuit to a theoretical design for testing and verification of functionality. Prototyping is widely used for concept validation or one may say it is akin to experiment and analysis steps of the scientific method. The Spark has a collection of resources to explore electronic and software prototyping. From learning basic programming languages to designing circuit boards, soldering, and programming microcontrollers, the collection has a number of options for beginners to more advanced prototyping enthusiasts. Whether you are a future engineer or teacher, a beginner or an expert, we've got tools for you. At the Spark you can explore a wide range of ideas from building a robot, designing a circut board, building a new VR world, the ideas and possibilities continue to evolve and grow here at the Spark, all you need is a desire to explore and learn.
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| Arduino |
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Learn first-hand how to use Arduino, a tool that can transform the average desktop computer into a device that can interact with the physical world in a whole new way. Explore this cutting-edge technology with us and expand your software-writing horizons. |
Adafruit Wave Shield for Arduino Kit v.1.1 by 
Adafruit Ultimate GPS Logger Shield by 
Adafruit RGB LCD Shield Kit by 
Adafruit CC3000 WiFi Shield with Onboard Ceramic Antenna by 
Adafruit PN532 NFC/RFID Controller Shield for Arduino by 
Adafruit Assembled Data Logging Shield for Arduino by 
Adafruit Ethernet Shield by 
Adafruit 1.8" Color TFT Shield with MicroSD and Joystick by 
Arduino interface shield for Scientific Probeware by 
RGB LCD 16x2 by 
RGB Matrix Shield by 
I2C Controlled + Keypad Shield Kit for 16x2 LCD by 
ADXL335 Board v2 by 
Maxbotix Ultrasonic Rangefinder - LV-EZ1 by 
PIR (motion) sensor by 
Sensor Pak 900 by 
Membrane Matrix Keypad by 
Adafruit 9-DOF Absolute Orientation IMU Fusion Breakout - BNO055
Reflective IR Sensor with 470 and 10K Resistors| FPGA |
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A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit (IC) that can be programmed in the field after manufacture. FPGAs are similar in principle to but have vastly wider potential application than, programmable read-only memory (PROM) chips.
BASYS 3 Specifications and Info.
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| LittleBits |
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LittleBits are tiny electronics modules that are great for prototyping, K-12 pedagogy, art projects, music, and simple robotics. Simply snap together a color coded power module to an input source and connect to one or more output modules. Your creations can be controlled manually, send wireless signals, and even hook into an Arduino controller, Korg synthesizer, or internet-based services via WiFi. Go a step further and pair them with creations from our replication services. Kits can be loaned for up to 7 days. We strongly suggest you check out the LittleBits Lessons and Educator Resources for project ideas. *All images and module information cards reprinted by permission, copyright 2016 by litteBits Electronics Inc. |
All images and module information cards reprinted by permission, copyright 2016 by litteBits Electronics Inc.
| LittleBit Modules |
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Blue Bits are power modules and are the first step to building a little bits project
Pink Bits are input modules and act as the buttons, switches, and sensors for outside stimulus. Some are simple on/off, other respond/adjust to levels. Inputs can respond to light, physical stimulus, auditory, and can be chained with other bit modules to form complex manipulations of signals. Many have secondary controls that allow for fine-tuning of speed, timing, etc.
Orange Bits known as Wire Bits are connectivity modules and allow you to extend or branch out your creations. Send signals through traditional wires or through the air, split signals, control outputs with logic, receive signals from the internet, or pass along non-traditional and audio sources, and create new modules.
Green Bits are output modules and often serve as the end-point for your circuit or are attached to real world objects in some way and are typically expressed as lights, sounds, movements, and numbers. You'll often be setting the signal strength, directionality, brightness and other variables related to the output further up the circuit chain.
How It Works
There are a few simple "rules" to littleBits that provide the foundation for your learning experiences.
Snap 'Em Together Bits snap together with magnets so it's impossible to make a mistake. No wiring or device required -- just easy and intuitive snapping! All our Bits can be combined and reconfigured to create brand new inventions.
Color-Coded: Each Bit is color-coded by its function. There are four colors:
It all starts with BLUE: The blue Bits are power. Connect a power Bit to a battery or computer so that electricity can run through your circuit.
Add a GREEN: The green Bits are outputs, which do something...like light up, move or make a sound.
Control with a PINK: Maybe you don't want your circuit to just be "on" all the time. Simply add a pink between your power and output Bits to add a control. Inputs can be buttons, dimmers, sensors -- things that receive direction from you or the environment.
Extend or add smarts with an ORANGE: Orange Bits let you build your circuits in new directions (like with a wire or a fork) or connect to other systems (like coding on a computer).
Order Matters: Power Bits (blue) always come first. Input Bits (pink) only affect the output Bits (green) that come after them.
Info. Courtesy of littleBits Electronics Inc
| Power Bits | Input Bits | Wire BIts | Output Bits |
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LittleBits are color coded and Blue Bits are Power modules and supply power to the project.
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Orange Bits known as Wire Bits are connectivity modules and allow you to extend or branch out your creations. Send signals through traditional wires or through the air, split signals, control outputs with logic, receive signals from the internet, or pass along non-traditional and audio sources, and create new modules.
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| OutPut Bits |
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IGreen Bits are output modules and often serve as the end-point for your circuit or are attached to real world objects in some way and are typically expressed as lights, sounds, movements, and numbers. You'll often be setting the signal strength, directionality, brightness and other variables related to the output further up the circuit chain. |
| Makey Makey |
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The MaKey MaKey uses high resistance switching to detect when you’ve made a connection even through materials that aren’t very conductive (like leaves, pasta or people). This technique attracts noise on the input, so a moving window averager is used to lowpass the noise. The on-board ATMega32u4 communicates with your computer using the Human Interface Device (HID) protocol which means that it can act like a keyboard or mouse.
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| Raspberry Pi |
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Raspberry Pi is a versatile, interactive small computer that allows users to explore the ins and outs of computing, including programming with Scratch and Python. Use it for any of your digital maker projects, as it can be used for anything from music machines to weather stations.
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LCD Pi Plate by 
Pimoroni PiBrella by 
Pimoroni PiGlow by 
PiTFT Mini Pi Plate by 
Raspberry Pi Camera V2.1
Wolfson Audio Card by | Robotics | ||||||||||
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The Spark Makerspace collection includes a number of educational robotic systems that are generally reserved for events or course reserve/classroom use. The Systems we have are:
Beyond our educational robotics systems, if you are interested in learning how to build and or interface with simple robotics here is a collection of projects ideas
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| Birdbrain Technologies Robotic Systems |
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BirdBrain Technologies of which we have both Finch and Hummingbird kits.
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The Finch is a small robot designed to engage students in computational thinking and computer science from k-12+. The Finch has support for a wide range of programming environments, including icon-, block-, and text-based options. Icon-based coding works well for pre-readers in grades K-2. Blocks environments allow students to explore all of the conceptual complexity of computer science, without overloading them with syntax, APIs, or IDEs. Finally, support for Python, Javascript, and Java ensures students can practice coding the Finch in industry-standard languages.
The Hummingbird robot system is designed to be able to build a 'robot' using craft supplies to make the project personally meaningful for the designer or class. Truly designed to allow them to be adaptable to a wide range of topics and ideas.
| CoDrone Pro |
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| LEGO Mindstorm Robotic Systems |
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Lego Mindstorms Kit(s) (Discontinued/Retired by LEGO) Specifications and Info.
Science & Programming
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| Sphero Robotic Systems |
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Sphero BOLT (Coming Soon)
The Sphere mini is a compact robot, coded through an app with a variety of features for beginning coders and fun for all. Equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and colorful LED lights, this educational coding robot is more than a robot toy. Specifications and Info.
Circulation Information
Resources
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The Sphere mini is a compact robot, coded through an app with a variety of features for beginning coders and fun for all. Equipped with a gyroscope, accelerometer, and colorful LED lights, this educational coding robot is more than a robot toy.
Sphero Edu App (For Learning): Students code using Draw, Blocks, or Javascript. Access 1000s of activities and manage your classroom. Chrome, Mac, PC, iOS, Android, Kindle
Sphero Play App (For Fun): Kids use Block Drive for an intro to programming with colorful blocks. iOS, Android, Kindle
| Birdbrain Technologies Robotic Systems |
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VEX IQ is a snap together robotic system that is designed to a range of STEAM challenges from building to coding. The system is flexible enough to allow for beginner success but also deliver challenges for a more experienced coder. VEX IQ Competitions are an exciting opportunity to further challenge students. The VEX IQ Robotics Competition fosters student development of the teamwork, critical thinking, project management, and communication skills required to prepare them to become the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
| Soldering |
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What is Soldering?According to makerspace.com Soldering is the process of joining two or more electronic parts together by melting solder around the connection. Solder is a metal alloy and when it cools it creates a strong electrical bond between the parts. Even though soldering can create a permanent connection, it can also be reversed using a desoldering tool. At all three Spark locations Soldering resources and tools are available for in space use. Safety ad soldering training is required before anyone is allowed to use the soldering tools. Digital Genuine Hakko FX-888D Specifications and Info.
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