Catapult Public Relations

SPARKFUN GETS BACK TO DIY ROOTS AT BAY AREA MAKER FAIRE

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:03:24 +0000

Boulder-based Electronics Company Attends Bay Area Maker Faire for Seventh Consecutive Year

BOULDER, Colo. May 15, 2012 -- SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, is proud to announce its seventh year of participation in Maker Faire Bay Area 2012 (http://makerfaire.com/bayarea/2012/). The event takes place May 19 and 20 at the San Mateo County Event Center. Unlike previous years, SparkFun won't be hosting workshops at this yearâ��s Maker Faire, but will take an opportunity to return to its roots â�� as a maker. The company will have a 10x10-foot booth (#66) and will demo some of the cool and interesting projects folks within SparkFun have been working on during the past year. These projects include an electronic guitar made from SparkFunâ��s ProtoSnap Pro Mini, an eight-legged robot, and the â��Quad-Buddy Ball-Balancerâ�� - a four-person game combining electronics and teamwork. SparkFun will also be attending in order to network with like-minded electronics enthusiasts, crafters, and innovators. Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly festival of invention and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the maker movement. The Faire invites â��makersâ�� from all backgrounds to come together for a symposium of collaboration and creativity. With projects ranging from pneumatic drums and gigantic Tesla coils, to quilts made from recycled bottles and Arduino-controlled singing fish, this truly is an event with something for everyone. â��Maker Faire has been, and continues to be, one of our favorite events,â�� said SparkFunâ��s Director of Marketing AnnDrea Boe. â��It is so much fun to be able to meet some of our customers, introduce new people to electronics, and keep a finger on the pulse of the DIY community. Each year this event grows, and we are excited to again play a role.â�� Maker Faire has expanded every year, and attracts around 100,000 spectators and participants to the Bay Area. To learn more about Maker Faire, visit (www.makerfaire.com). To learn more about SparkFunâ��s presence at the Faire, visit (www.sparkfun.com/news/855). About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Vimeo and Google+.

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Press Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760 ext. 16 jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

SparkFun Electronics Launches Education Website to Bring Electronics into the Classroom

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:00:15 +0000

New Learn.SparkFun.Com web portal represents companyâ��s initiative to become the leading resource for knowledge, support and kits for electronics education

BOULDER, Colo. April 24, 2012 -- Boulder-based SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, formally launched its new education initiative today. Coupled with the launch of (http://Learn.SparkFun.com), the program and online education portal is devoted to bringing the world of embedded electronics technology into classrooms and promoting the concept of play and tinkering. The online portal forms the cornerstone behind the companyâ��s recently formed Department of Education, headed by Lindsay Levkoff, Ph.D. SparkFun has been working with schools and educators during this past year to help enable electronics education as part of the modern classroom. â��We are excited to have a new platform for continuing our mission to lower the age and technical barriers of entry into this exciting world of technology and electronics,â�� said Levkoff. â��Our hope is that the open source model SparkFun embraces as a company will improve the overall affordability and accessibility of technology and will greatly enhance a studentâ��s classroom experience while learning about the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). We want to support a community that is dedicated to sharing knowledge and reigniting the passion for learning, playing and creating.â�� SparkFun, along with the entire maker community, thrives by sharing ingenuity and developing a more approachable environment for everyone, regardless of their technical experience level or age. The programs at SparkFun are designed to explore studentsâ�� creativity as well as the technical aspects inherent in electronics technology, creating a positive STEAM experience and encouraging future exploration. SparkFun also helps train educators on how to teach and implement these technologies in the classroom. By providing free curriculum and support through various classes and workshops, educators can have the tools and skills they need to make the classroom experience a memorable one. â��We are thrilled to partner with SparkFun and introduce electronics education into the classroom,â�� said Brian Huang, physics teacher at Overland High School. â��Earlier this year, SparkFun and our school ran a Saturday workshop to teach basic soldering and introduce the Arduino microcontroller technology. Students were enthusiastic about their successes and several were amazed at how easy soldering and programming actually was.â�� In addition to hosting workshops at various locations across the country, the Education Department will continue to expand the curriculum of classes offered on-site at SparkFunâ��s headquarters in Boulder, Colo. For a list of upcoming classes, please visit: (http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/154). The company also is developing a way for people who want to take its classes, but who arenâ��t able to travel to Boulder, to view them online. The department will continue to work with leaders in the field to expand its content and curriculum to suit education programs nationwide. All educators wishing to purchase SparkFun kits for their classroom can sign up for an Educator Account online and receive a 20 percent discount on future SparkFun orders. â��By connecting people to a community for support, we can help them embrace new ways of learning and enhance the STEAM education experience for students and teachers alike,â�� continued Levkoff. â��SparkFun is devoted to making this initiative possible because we believe in the importance of STEAM as a basic underlying education initiative for our worldâ��s future.â�� Along with the new website, SparkFun is now offering two new kits that are specifically tailored for developing new skills. Mr. Roboto (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10726) is an Arduino-compatible development board designed to be used as a teaching tool for Arduino programming. Weevil Eye is a DIY night-light and e-textiles kit that responds to how dark the room is - a very fun kit for kids to learn more about electronics. For more information about SparkFunâ��s new Department of Education, please contact education@sparkfun.com or visit the companyâ��s new online education portal at (http://Learn.SparkFun.com). About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts).

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Media Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760, ext. 16 jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

SparkFun Electronics Travels to the USA Science and Engineering Festival to Host Electronics Workshops for Kids

SparkFunâ��s Soldering Workshop Introduces the Youth to New Ways of Exploring Science and Technology through Hands-on Learning with Electronics

BOULDER, Colo. April 23, 2012 â�� SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, will travel to Washington, D.C. for the United States of America Science and Engineering Festival (USASEF) to host its widely popular Simon Soldering workshop. SparkFun recently formed an education department to introduce people to the world of electronics technology and to explore the creative side of engineering and computer science through an exciting, hands-on learning experience. Since mid-April the education outreach team at SparkFun has been touring the East Coast visiting various learning centers throughout the region. The tour is part of an initiative by SparkFun to branch out into new areas of the U.S. and promote the adoption of engaging and relevant open source technologies in schools. One of the final stops for the team is at USASEF on April 28-29 (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2012festival/finale-expo/2012-exhibits?track=&age=&keyword=&category=&qexhibits=SparkFun&peek_friday=&no_page=1). â��We believe in revitalizing the imagination of todayâ��s youth through tinkering and playing with electronics,â�� explained Lindsay Levkoff, director of education at SparkFun. â��To promote constructivism and exploration in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields, we are demonstrating that electronics provides a great medium for people to approach these subjects in schools. It provides students with an invaluable hands-on learning experience that not only boosts confidence, but incentivizes them to invent and create for the rest of their lives.â�� At USASEF, SparkFun will run its popular Simon Soldering workshop, teaching people soldering techniques and skills. Participants will learn how to solder by putting together a functioning Simon Says memory game (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10547). SparkFun will also bring the Lectro Candle Kit (an LED-based â��candleâ�� that cycles through the colors of the rainbow) and the Weevil Eye Kit (a DIY night-light and e-textiles kit that responds to how dark the room is). SparkFun will also be promoting its new education website (see SparkFunâ��s news announcement (SparkFun Launches Education Website) tomorrow for more information) designed to help educators and the general public approach electronics education, who may have no idea where or how to get started. â��As an open source company, we are encouraging people to reinvest in the process of technology, because we see the value of that kinesthetic sense of play in an education setting,â�� continued Levkoff. â��At SparkFun, weâ��ve eliminated intellectual property costs by being open source and in turn our company makes electronics technology more approachable, affordable and accessible than ever before.â�� To visit SparkFun at USASEF, visit the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on April 28-29. SparkFunâ��s booth (# 2045) will be located in Hall B. For more information about SparkFunâ��s Department of Education, please contact education@sparkfun.com or visit http://www.sparkfun.com. About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun Electronics is a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation. It helps anyone explore electronics and enables people to build their own inventions. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts).

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Media Contact

Jeremy Douglas

Catapult PR-IR

O: (303) 581-7760 ext. 16

M: (303) 589-1941

jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:04:32 +0000

Campbell to introduce costumers to electronics that are designed to be sewn into clothing

WHO: Dia Campbell

TechStyle Specialist

SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com/) Dia Campbell is a maker, muse, and educator in the SparkFun Electronics engineering department. She is an experienced customer and fiber artist, and deeply committed to sharing e-textiles techniques and tools with the world. Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion for electronics by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. The company helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. WHAT: Sewable Electronics for Costuming Campbell will conduct a hands-on workshop showing how electronics can be designed and sewn into costumes and clothing. Participants will learn how to sew a simple circuit and have lit up attire by the end of the panel! Each participant will receive a free kit to work on. Participation is limited to 40 people. StarFest is a combination of several entertainment conventions rolled into one big event that takes place over three days. Started in 1977, it attracts thousands of people who are fans of popular culture for a weekend of social interaction, fun and games. Activities take place at three adjacent convention hotels and include: Studio Presentations, Onstage Q&A Sessions (with actors, producers & directors), Autograph and Photo Sessions, Costume and Talent Contests, Film Festivals, Model and Art shows, Collectible Marketplaces, Educational Seminars, Discussion Panels, Musical Performances, Dancing, Kids Events, Fan Club Presentations, and tons of assorted Klingons, Jedi and other creatures thrown together. WHERE: StarFest April 20-22, 2012 Denver Marriott Tech Center 4900 South Syracuse Street Denver, CO 80237 WHEN: Sunday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m. MDT in Panel Room 2 (Blanca) CONTACT: For more information on SparkFun Electronics, or to set up an interview with Dia Campbell, please contact Jeremy Douglas at Catapult PR-IR (303) 581-7760 ext. 16 or jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com.

SparkFun Electronics to Hold First Annual Soldering Competition

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:43:26 +0000

Open Event to the Public Will Put Competitorsâ�� Soldering Skills to the Test

BOULDER, Colo. April 18, 2012 -- On April 28, 2012 Boulder-based SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, will host its first annual SparkFun Soldering Competition. The competition, open to the public, will take place at Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids (http://www.oskarblues.com/restaurant/liquids-solids) in Longmont, Colo. The Soldering Competition is the brain-child of the SparkFun production department, home of the fastest soldering irons in the West. The contest pits competitors against each other in a one-on-one, tournament style event. As the competition goes on, the soldering tasks will become more difficult, and ultimately the winner will walk away with $500 in cash. Throughout the day, there also will be giveaways, live music, and other activities. Additionally, there will be a competition category open to kids 12 years and older on a first-come, first-served basis. "We are super psyched for our first ever soldering competition because we know what kind of shenanigans to expect when combining speed racing with the fine art of electronics soldering,â�� said SparkFun Director of Production Matt Bolton. â��My mom used to always tell me that 'slow and steady wins the race', but that's definitely not the advice that I would give to our competitors this year. You're going to need to bring your A-game if you want to lay claim to the inaugural championship trophy.â�� The soldering competition will take place on April 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids in Longmont, Colo. It is $10 for participants (except those in the childâ��s heat, which is free) and free for spectators. To sign up as a competitor please visit (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/11126) or to sign up as a spectator visit (http://sfesolderingcomp.eventbrite.com/). About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts).

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Media Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760, ext. 16 jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

SPARKFUN’S CEO NATHAN SEIDLE TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE’S OH/DC EVENT: OPEN SOURCE HARDWARE COMES TO DC

Industry innovator to demonstrate the value of open source hardware in the creative process

WHO: Nathan Seidle CEO, SparkFun Electronics (www.sparkfun.com) Nathan Seidle is the CEO and Founder of SparkFun Electronics. While obtaining his degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Colorado, Nathan had the idea to create a company that made obtaining (and understanding) electronics parts easy for the average person. From this idea, SparkFun was born. When Nathan isn't working at SparkFun, you can find him tinkering with special projects for a local kidsâ�� museum, working on his latest Halloween costume or preparing large-scale art for Burning Man. He has spoken at MIT, Google, West Point and various IEEE events about electronics, open-source technology and the ins-and-outs of entrepreneurship. WHAT: Panel 2: Open Source Hardware for Fun and Profit Open source hardware is revolutionizing the way people approach technological projects. It promotes creativity through balanced copyright, and it upholds and protects the rights of consumers to use innovative technology lawfully. Furthermore, many open source products and resources make the world of electronics more accessible to the average person or even child. During the Open Source Hardware for Fun and Profit panel, Nathan Seidle will provide a general overview of what open source hardware is, as well as examine the people and companies that are making it work. The industry leader will be bringing a handful of demonstrations to illustrate the educational and mission-critical benefits of open source hardware. During the presentation, he will demo a self-installation kit with a flex sensor controlling speaker and assemble a Simon Says game. Seidle will be joined on this panel by David Mellis, co-founder of Arduino and a Ph.D. candidate at MIT, and Ayah Bdeir, founder of littleBits and a TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) fellow. The panel will be moderated by Michael Weinberg, senior staff attorney and innovation evangelist at Public Knowledge. WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building Independence Avenue and South Capitol St. Washington, D.C. 20003 WHEN: OH/DC: Open Source Hardware Comes to DC Friday, April 20 1-5 p.m. http://www.publicknowledge.org/event/ohdc-open-source-hardware-comes-dc CONTACT: For more information on SparkFun Electronics, or to set up an interview with Nathan Seidle, please contact Jeremy Douglas at Catapult PR-IR (303) 581-7760, ext. 16 or jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com.

SparkFun Electronics’ eTextiles Specialist to Speak at Smart Fabrics Conference

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:59:30 +0000

Dia Campbell to Present â��Bringing Smart Textiles to Makers and the DIY Communityâ��

MIAMI, Fla. April 12, 2012 -- On April 17th, 2012 Boulder-based SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, is sending eTextiles expert Dia Campbell to speak at the Smart Fabrics Conference in Miami, Fla. Campbell, whose official title is the SparkFun Techstyle Specialist, will give a presentation called â��Bringing Smart Textiles to Makers and the DIY Community.â��

eTextiles is a quickly-growing sect of the DIY community which involves adding electronics to clothing and fabric. SparkFun has been one of the pioneers in the industry and has a growing selection of eTextiles products available on its website. â��To me, the human aspect is going to be a huge part of seeing smart wearables become a part of day-to-day life, rather than a novelty,â�� explained Campbell. â�� I'm looking forward to a day 5 or 10 years in the future where your e-wardrobe is as indispensable as your cell phone.â��

The Smart Fabrics conference, whose motto is â��Where fashion meets cutting-edge technology,â�� will feature speakers from many different areas of fashion, electronics, and the DIY/Maker community. The conference provides a unique setting for the aforementioned industries to come together and chart the course of the rapidly evolving smart fabrics industry.

"SparkFun is very excited to have Dia presenting at the Smart Fabrics conference," said SparkFun director of marketing AnnDrea Boe. "As the eTextiles and Maker communities continue to grow, having a presence at events like this is key to keeping a finger on the pulse of the industry. We look forward to presenting, networking with other like-minded people, and, of course, learning from our peers.â��

The Smart Fabrics conference will take place on April 17th â�� 19th, 2012 at the Conrad Miami Hotel in Miami, Fla. For more information about Smart Fabrics, please visit (http://www.smartfabricsconference.com/home.aspx). For more information on SparkFunâ��s eTextiles products, please visit(http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/204?page=all).

About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects.

SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts).

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Media Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760, ext. 16 jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

SparkFun Promotes Electronics in Schools with East Coast Tour

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 18:28:29 +0000

Crew Will Travel From Massachusetts to South Carolina Spreading the Embedded Electronics Love

BOULDER, Colo. April 4, 2012 -- During the months of April and May, SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, will send a team from its Education Department on what has been dubbed the â��East Coast Tour.â�� The East Coast Tour is part of an initiative by the SparkFun Department of Education to branch out into new areas of the U.S. to promote the adoption of engaging and relevant open source technologies in schools. The tour will include visits to universities and high schools, where the education team will lead workshops on physical computing, soldering, and more. During the extended trip, the team will travel throughout the eastern portion of the United States, visiting locations such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Washington D.C. and North Carolina. â��The East Coast Tour has been in the works for a long time and we are thrilled with how the trip is shaping up,â�� said SparkFun director of education Lindsay Levkoff. â��The tour not only will allow us to showcase SparkFunâ��s education program across the country, but helps us keep a pulse on the DIY electronics movement in other parts of the United States. While we are excited about teaching embedded electronics in new environments, we are also looking forward to the opportunity to network with and learn from like-minded individuals.â�� One of the most highly anticipated stops is USASEF, the second ever national science fair, at which SparkFun will be hosting soldering classes (http://www.usasciencefestival.org/2012festival/finale-expo/2012-exhibits?track=&age=&keyword=&category=&qexhibits=SparkFun&peek_friday=&no_page). The SparkFun team will also be stopping at ITP, part of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, where it will be giving a talk discussing the growing Open Source Education movement/model with an emphasis on an unbranded data/material repository and what Open Source looks like when it is instituted in schools. The tour also includes stops at MIT, the National School Board Association Conference in Boston, UMass Amherst and Hampshire, USASEF in Washington D.C., Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia, East Carolina University, and IT-oLogy in South Carolina. About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts). ###

Media Contact:

Jeremy Douglas

Catapult PR-IR

303-581-7760

jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

SparkFun Electronics Goes to POSSCON to Present Ideas for Open Source Business and Technology

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:46:02 +0000

Lindsay Levkoff and Christopher Clark explain what it means to be an open source business and how to improve the adoption of open source technology into classrooms

BOULDER, Colo. March 23, 2012 -- SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, today announced its participation at the 2012 Palmetto Open Source Software Conference (POSSCON) in Columbia, S.C. POSSCON continues to bring together innovators in the open source space (technologists and managers) and provides affordable access to quality information regarding the open source movement. Two of SparkFunâ��s Directors, Lindsay Levkoff (Education) and Christopher Clark (IT), will be presenting at the event.

SparkFun Electronics is a rapidly growing provider of open source hardware that has prospered from a dorm room setting into a multi-million dollar company with no outside investment. â��An early reliance on open source technologies enabled this growth and has now developed into an undercurrent that permeates the culture here at SparkFun,â�� explained Christopher Clark, director of information technology at SparkFun. Now, with an infrastructure rich in open source technology and a custom-built ERP system being gradually opened for public use, SparkFun is facing the challenge of pushing further into open source technology while mitigating risk and pressing innovation. During Clarkâ��s presentation, he will elaborate on SparkFunâ��s open source business model and how the company will use open source technologies and practices to continue to innovate at many levels. â��The open source community continues to grow and it doesnâ��t show any signs of abating,â�� explains Lindsay Levkoff, director of education at SparkFun. â��Not only are we proud to support the open source community through events like POSSCON, but we are excited to see this movement gain momentum in other communities, such as education.â�� As an educator, Levkoff wants to improve the adoption of open source technology into the classroom. This is because the open source model allows educators to bring relevant and engaging technology into the classroom, despite budget and resource restrictions. Levkoffâ��s presentation will include a discussion of what the Department of Education at SparkFun Electronics learned during its first year with early adopters, students, parents, educators and administrations, and how the company plans to increase the affordability and accessibility of technology for all students across multiple geographical areas. â��We're leaders in the open source hardware movement,â�� continued Clark. â��It applies to our products as much as our software and even applies to how we interface with our community.â�� POSSCON is held at the Columbia Convention Center in downtown Columbia, S.C. from March 28-29, 2012. To learn more about Clark, Levkoff and their presentation topics at POSSCON 2012, please visit: (http://www.posscon.org/speaker/chris-clark/) and (http://www.posscon.org/speaker/lindsay-levkoff/). If you would like to learn more about SparkFun Electronics, please visit: (http://www.sparkfun.com). About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts)

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Media Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760 jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com

SparkFun Electronics to Host Continuing Education Class in Conjunction with the Colorado School of Mines

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:06:55 +0000

Introduction to Microcontrollers for K-12 Educators will cover the basics of embedded electronics

BOULDER, Colo. March 21, 2012 -- On March 31 and April 1, 2012, SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, will host a new class called â��Introduction to Microcontrollers for Educators.â�� This workshop, which will focus on covering the basics of embedded electronics and physical computing, is offered through a partnership with the Colorado School of Mines (http://www.mines.edu). Through this relationship, students in the class will have the option of receiving one unit of credit to the School of Mines. The Introduction to Microcontrollers for Educators class is designed to not only familiarize teachers with embedded electronics, but to provide them with ways to help integrate physical computing into their lesson plans. The class will cover everything from conductive play dough and giant breadboards, to programming and learning how to solder. â��We're really excited to have the opportunity to improve the accessibility of technology in the classroom by spending a weekend working with our local educators,â�� said SparkFun director of education Lindsay Levkoff. â��Computer programming is a 21st century skill with endless STEAM curriculum tie-ins. During the two-day workshop, SparkFun will be training the educators on the skills necessary to understand and teach basic microcontroller programming as well as the circuits in the SparkFun Inventor's Kit. We look forward to introducing various open source technologies to educators.â�� The class will take place on March 31 and April 1, 2012 from 9 AM to 5 PM at SparkFun headquarters in Boulder, Colo. There are no prerequisites to attend the class and spots are still available. If you would like to learn more about SparkFun Electronicsâ�� class offering, please visit: (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/11127). About SparkFun Electronics Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects. SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 140 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado. Find SparkFun on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/SparkFun), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SparkFun), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/SparkFun), YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/SparkFun), Vimeo (http://www.vimeo.com/SparkFun), and Google+ (https://plus.google.com/106084846822083498483/posts)

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Media Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760 jdouglas@catapultpr-ir.com