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Preparing for the Make Event

Makers that are well prepared get the most out of their experience. Before you attend your Make Day, there are a couple of activities to complete. Please walk through the steps below and make sure to have a working system before the actual Make session starts. It should only take about 15 minutes!

Step 1 - Arduino IDE

Download and install the Arduino IDE. Alternatively you can use Micropython or Eclipse

For advanced users, you can use arduino-cli, you can set it up following these instructions.

Step 2 - Set up your system

We will begin by installing the ESP8266 (that thingy in your box with the micro-USB port) support for the Arduino IDE:

  • Open the Arduino IDE
  • Go to Files (for Windows) or Arduino (for Mac) > Preferences
  • Copy this: http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
  • Paste it in the 'Additional Boards Managers URLs' field
  • Click OK and close the preferences window
  • Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager...
  • Navigate to esp8266 by esp8266 community and install the software for Arduino.

Step 3 - Connect your ESP8266

Now it's time to plug the ESP8266 board into your computer, and see how to blink an LED (the Hello World in the electronics):

  • Remove the ESP8266 from it's packet. Pro Tip: remember to remove the board from the styrofoam it came on - it’s mildly conductive and can short the board!⚡
  • Navigate to Tools > ESP8266 Boards (2.7.4) > NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module)
  • Select the right USB port from Tools > Port
  • If Port is not available in Win10 (https://sparks.gogo.co.nz/ch340.html) or any other errors, check Troubleshooting
  • Clone (or download, or simply copy-paste to your Arduino IDE window) the BlinkESP code and run it in Arduino IDE by clicking 'Upload'.
  • After compiling and uploading, the LED on your ESP8266 board should start flashing. You did it!

Troubleshooting:

Step 4 - Test your water pump

  • Strip the red and black wires of the pump.
  • Plug the ESP8266 into your laptop or a cellphone charge using the MicroUSB cable.
  • From your water pump press the red wire onto the 3V3 pin and black to GND pin or hook them up using the dupont wires.
  • You should hear the motor of the pump spinning.

Alternatively

  • Use a 3V battery and press the wires directly onto it.

Troubleshooting:

Step 5 - Help us grow the community by sharing a pic 🌱🙏

Please help us spread the word about Make events so that we can grow the community and keep helping devs learn new tech 🚀 💦 🌱.

  1. Use the phrase #OfferZenMake with @offerzen.
  2. Share a photo or story on: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook

See you online soon <3

Here's a fabulous example from @hendrikdelarey

Step 6 - Chart a course for self-watering plant mastery

Read through the Plant Tech readme including project extensions, community contributions and useful resources to get an idea for where you want to take your self-watering plant project on the evening of the event.

Please edit or add to the docs as you go!