I had been working with ,my son Toby who had created his own robot using the CamJam EduKit 3 and I had used GPIO Zero to help to reduce the level of typing required to get his creation working. As I intended to talk about Physical computing Toby came along too with his robot. to show what could be done with a few simple lines of code.
He was very pleased to be able to show off his creation and say a little about how he had made it. he was also very excited to have his own badge with his newly created job title.
We then got hands on and had the attendees making their own simple circuits and writing the code to make things happen in the real world. Having some hands on time was a really powerful tool to demonstrate how quickly results could be seen using simple components and GPIO Zero. I did promise at the show that I would add the presentation here with the information links so here it is on Prezi - Lets get physical - an introduction to Physical computing with GPIO Zero.
The show was challenging environment to deliver training in with all of the competing noise and activities occurring around the stand. It was an interesting cross between market trader and teacher. Attracting people into the stand and then guiding them through creating a circuit and controlling it with code It was also a challenge with people arriving to the stand (attracted by what was happening) part way through the session and wanting to join in.
The sessions both ran slightly different to the plan (and to each other) but I think we were able share the power of being able to make things happen in the physical world. I think especially with the late arrivals it was a great demonstration of how results can be achieved really quickly using GPIO Zero due to the less onerous volume of code required.
If i was going to do this again i would probably take some pre-prepared kits with the components for the circuits or even use a HAT to simplify the process. I would also think about printing some copies of the code / circuit diagrams to make it easier to manage with late arrivals and swapping the screen around from basic to advanced tasks. Having both on a laminated card (or just a bit of paper would do) would have made it easier for those who arrived late to have a play with the basic example without me having to switch the screen back and forward.
