Learn by soldering
Hands-on sessions on electronics, microcontrollers and making noise.
A workshop around the macro_GOAT: a custom macropad built around an RP2040-Zero with a 16-LED WS2812B array, hot-swap switches, and up to four optional EC11 rotary encoders.
The hardware is fully open source — KiCad project, gerbers, SMD stencil and bill of materials are published, and the firmware is a QMK keymap shared with the Disarray Desnarler.
A two-hour workshop where participants solder and flash their own macropad (aka mini keyboard) and configure it to their personal requirements. No prior knowledge required.
The initial goal was to help people discover workspace management on their OS, but the macropad can be customized however you like: favorite keyboard shortcuts, launching apps with one button, software control, or even a MIDI-over-USB controller for music equipment.
Build a noise-making device on the I2C proto-petal badge add-on from the Hackaday swag bag, and get to grips with low-cost open-hardware RISC-V microcontrollers along the way.
Participants solder a motor circuit to their proto petal, add sonically resonating items for the motor to actuate, program the onboard CH32V003 microcontroller using cnlohr's ch32v003fun library, then join the badge orchestra — with a Pico rhythmically sequencing up to six add-ons.
A soldering workshop where participants build their own mechanical keyboard.
An introduction to 3D modelling with the open-source CAD software FreeCAD.