Here at Learn To Solder Kits, we’re always inspired by educators who transform learning experiences and unlock their students’ natural curiosity. We caught up with educator Mark Gerl from the Galloway School in Atlanta Georgia, who shared with us just how powerful curiosity can be in the classroom.
Would you tell us a little more about your teaching environment?
Galloway School was started by Elliott Galloway in the late 60s, following the great social upheaval in the country. His aim was to create a school that broke away from discriminatory practices that informed much of the national schooling system at that time and create a curriculum that wasn’t influenced by race, culture, or class.
Based on his philosophy that learning is a human joy, the school has continued working to create its own curriculums and projects. The school also actively recruits diverse students from every walk of life, and this is what really drew me to The Galloway School.
It sounds like a great environment for both students and educators. What are the results of this type of education?
What the school has accomplished is incredible. What we’re very proud of is that many students graduate from our school with a very clear idea of what they want to do in their careers. They’ve gone on to attend Ivy League and top tech institutions.
Do most of the students pursue technology and science?
What’s really exciting is that that’s not always the case. I’ve had students return to tell me that because of their classes in technology, they were able to think critically and unlock their creativity and went on to study business or finance. We’ve also had a fair share of students pursue careers in music, acting, and dancing. Not only do our students go out and work in just about every field, but they’re also excelling!
So what does an ordinary day in your class look like?
There is nothing ordinary about our classes! I am a huge believer in the concept of project-based learning. What I say to my students is: “when you’re in this class, there will be no homework, quizzes, or tests; but when you’re in this class, you give your full and undivided attention and focus.” I purposefully craft my classes so that I give my students all the resources that they would need: books, videos, and even other people they can talk with, and from there I say: “Okay go!” and that’s when the magic of learning, exploring and creating really starts.
I teach fifth through eighth grade. So for instance, in the fifth grade, we start exploring creativity. We do 3D modelling and VR design, and by the end of it, instead of doing a book report, the students design a VR experience. In the sixth grade, on the other hand, we explore software that makes 8-bit games, like the old Nintendo systems. My students have made the most amazing racing and maze games, and I get to upload them onto the internet, and their parents can go and play with their children’s creations.
I just took on a high school class that we’re running as a game design studio. The students have done everything: from the original idea to the art, the music, and the coding. It’s a 100% student-designed video game, and the goal is to publish it on itch.io by April.
So you cover a wide range of themes in your classes?
We explore many different topics and themes. We do everything from board game design to Python and Unity programing, AI and game design, and robotics systems. We even touch on the ethics of AI! Recently, I taught my students to solder, and we’ve used Learn To Solder Kits in the classroom. Through this, they learned how to make wearable technology, like clothing that lights up through movement or sound. By sparking their curiosity, we’ve found that students are independently exploring new topics on their own, which are traditionally only covered at a college level!
It must be amazing seeing your students really explore their creativity like that?
Absolutely! And I simply present them with the basics, and then give them the freedom to experiment and explore and come up with their own ideas. The best part of it is seeing the pride and accomplishment on their faces when they’ve not only learned something, but created something. And they are able to take that into the world and show their friends and parents.
When you think about education, what are your thoughts on how you would like to see it transformed around the world?
My hope is that all schools can get to the point where they stop trying to push information out, and rather leverage students’ natural curiosity and let them learn on their own. We should let our students climb the mountain on their own, and simply be there to make sure they don’t slip or fall. We’ve seen what can be accomplished when this happens, and the results speak for themselves.
To learn more about the work Mark does with his students, follow his Twitter account, by clicking here.]]>
Soldering opens a world of possibilities. Not only is it educational for children and beginners, but it can unleash your creativity as you bring new and nifty creations to life. But exciting as soldering is, it can also be rather daunting for some people: what exactly do you need to get started? And how does it all work? If you’ve been asking yourself these questions, have no fear. We’re here to cover the basics of soldering so you can start making and creating!
5 things you need to start soldering
Remember: there are many additional items you can add over time, like a solder wick (which helps remove solder when you’ve made mistakes), a magnifying glass stand (if you’re working with particularly small components).
How to start soldering
Top tip: if you have no experience with soldering, it might be a great idea to first test and experiment on scrap pieces of metal.
Remember: soldering irons become extremely hot, and can emit fumes when melting solder. Thus the process is dangerous for beginners and children. Be very cautious whenever you solder, and be sure to keep a close eye on children. Always solder in a well-ventilated room, pack away your soldering iron after each use and be sure to keep your station clean.
Learn To Solder Kits is a great way to start your soldering journey, explore our kits and get started today! Do you have any questions about learning to solder? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email by clicking here. ]]>With just a couple of months before we wrap up another year, we’re all about making the most of the final stretch before the holidays. We’d like to share the magic of soldering with one lucky instructor. We aim to kickstart creative thinking, problem-solving, and of course, the opportunity to get those hands busy with some seriously fun soldering projects.
To enter the competition, simply click here and let us know why you love soldering. The winner will be chosen mid-November and will have the choice of either the Jitterbug, Hue, or Blink Educator Pack, plus a Hakko Soldering Station.
What’s inside the kits?
The ‘Jitterbug’ Educator Pack: This pack is designed for beginners, and is valued at $95. This insect-shaped kit includes a vibration motor that allows you to bring your creation to life! Hear it buzz and watch it skitter, almost like the real thing.
The ‘Hue’ Educator Pack: Valued at $95, this pack is also designed for beginners but is slightly more challenging. Once assembled, turn the knobs to control the brightness of the red, green, and blue values as they change in the LED. Try different combinations to make any color in the rainbow!
The ‘Blink’ Educator Pack: This is one of our most popular kits, valued at $85. Each one features three LEDs and three push-button switches. Once assembled, press the buttons to watch as the LEDs light up!
The winner will also receive a powerful Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station, valued at $100, to help bring every soldering project to life! The much-loved brand sets the benchmark in quality soldering and is the perfect companion for beginners and pros alike.
About the competition
Any teacher or instructor associated with a school or non-profit organization within the United States can enter. Simply write to us and tell us why you love soldering, and you’re in the running for a prize. It’s as simple as that! Once the winner picks the pack they’d like to receive, Learn To Solder Kits will cover delivery.
]]>2021 was a year of massive growth and success for our team, and we are eager to see what 2022 has in store for us. Before we talk about what we are looking forward to, let's take a look back at what made the previous year so special.
Learn to Solder Kits by the numbers:
Hue 2.0
Our biggest update of the year was the release of Hue 2.0. We improved the board layout by using a hexagon instead of a rectangle, and we switched to using an easier-to-turn and less expensive potentiometer. This provides creators with a better experience at a cost of $13.99 instead of $15.99!
Our First Employee
Kim joined our team in March, making her our first ever employee! She works to package and ship our kits. Bringing her on board allowed us to lower our shipping time by one business day, even during the holiday rush. Thank you so much, Kim!
What’s Next in 2022
We will continue our mission of supporting makers at all points in their journey. By emphasizing educators' roles in bringing the power of making to their students, we can help grow the interest in STEM-related projects, just like we did with John Sorvillo.
Thank you for an amazing year! We can’t wait to see what everyone builds and learns in 2022 😁
]]>As you dive deeper into electronics, it is important to become familiar with the essential components found in many circuits.
Resistors are one of the building blocks engineers get to know like the back of their hand. Learning about resistors will help you grow your skills and tackle bigger, more exciting projects.
]]>Resistors are one of the building blocks engineers get to know like the back of their hand. Learning about resistors will help you grow your skills and tackle bigger, more exciting projects.
A resistor is a circuit component that does exactly what its name suggests: Resists. Adding a resistor to a circuit reduces the amount of electric current that can pass through the circuit.
Nearly every circuit you encounter uses a resistor in some way. For example, LED circuits, like the ones in our Blink and Hue kits, use current limiting resistors to protect the components from being overpowered by current and burning out! Resistors are also used to control the brightness of the LEDs.
Beyond the basic limiting of current, resistors can be used in more complex and clever applications. Some electronic components require a specific amount of voltage. Adding resistors to a circuit can reduce the voltage used by these other components.
Understanding how a resistor will impact the circuit as a whole is explained by a nifty scientific law called Ohm’s Law.
Resistors are also commonly combined with capacitors, which store energy. These are often referred to as RC circuits and can work in tandem to control frequency filters, current supply, and various other applications.
Resistors are represented by “squiggly” lines or by empty rectangles depending on the type of diagram you are reading.
Next to the resistor symbol on the schematic, there will be either a number or a variable. If it is a variable, it will correspond to a number somewhere else in the documentation. That number indicates the resistance in Ohms(Ω) for that resistor.
The color bands on a resistor indicate the resistance value in Ohms of that specific resistor. It is important to learn how to decode resistor values from the color bands.
To read the resistor value, identify what side has a gap between bands. The side opposite of this is where you will start reading the bands.
The first two stripes indicate the first two digits in the Ohm(Ω) resistance value (see the chart below). Then, the next stripe refers to the multiplier (how many zeros) follow the value.
By following this system, you can calculate resistor values easily and clearly. A red, green, red pattern shows a 2500Ω value, and so on.
For resistors with four bands and above, different meanings come into play. The fourth band may indicate higher Ohm values, tolerance, temperature coefficients, fail rates, and more. This can be calculated using a basic resistor chart or a resistor calculator.
No! Unlike many other components, resistors do not have polarity, meaning you can install them in either direction on a circuit. Also, it does not matter if you are using a through-hole part or surface mount part–the principles and functions of resistors are the same!
Adding a resistor to your circuit comes down to reading a circuit board correctly and soldering in the correct place.
In the Blink and Hue Learn to Solder Kits, the online instructions provide detailed information about installing the resistors so that anyone without prior experience can understand how to do it. Plus, you get great experience learning how to solder resistor components!
]]>This year Learn to Solder Kits is spreading holiday cheer all over the globe. We booked a holiday themed photo shoot with our soldering kits as the stars of the show! Who doesn't want to see Blink and Hue posed delicately in drifts of snow? Jitterbug dressed up in an itty bitty Santa hat?
]]>We are running a contest to see which holiday photo is truly the best. And to make it even better we will be shipping anyone who wants one a little holiday cheer in the form of a holiday postcard using the winning photo.
Step 1: Check out the epic holiday soldering kits photos below
Step 2: Vote for your favorite by Thursday, November 25th 11:59PM PST
Step 3 (Optional): Enter your mailing address and we'll ship you a postcard with the winner
Learn to Solder Kits recently donated a set of our kits to an Ohio school that provides meaningful opportunities to underserved youth. We chatted with the director to find out more about his school’s background and his inspiration for teaching engineering.
In this interview, he explains how the academy uses engineering to help students discover new passions, cope with trauma, and make healthy life choices. Check out our discussion with John Sorvillo of Westwood Preparatory Academy below.
]]>In this interview, he explains how the academy uses engineering to help students discover new passions, cope with trauma, and make healthy life choices. Check out our discussion with John Sorvillo of Westwood Preparatory Academy below.
Emma: Tell us a bit about your school.
John: We partner with existing residential facilities to provide specialized education for their residents. We focus on trauma-informed care and we provide credit recovery platforms to get at-risk students caught up and graduation ready as quickly as possible. Our company’s vision statement is “To inspire hope through education.”
We want these students to know that there is a path forward, past their trauma and their charges, to a healthy and productive life. We have a small school that helps girls who have been recovered from human trafficking and we have a large school to the south of the state that helps very low functioning kids get ready to live as independently as possible. Our entire company works for a population that often goes unseen and unacknowledged.
Emma: What can you tell us about your students’ backgrounds?
John: Our age range in our schools goes from 4th grade to 12th grade. 99% of our students are in county custody, meaning they’ve been removed from their homes. Either the parents have given up their rights or are completely missing. The building is their entire world while enrolled with us. Our job is to educate and hopefully keep their spirits up while doing so.
Emma: How did you first get involved with 3D printing and other maker skills?
John: We bought our first 3D printers because we had a grant that needed to be spent. I had no idea what we were getting into. I fell in love with the technology and sort of commanded my teachers to start using it. I saw the career and technical education value, but also the therapeutic value as well.
These kids enjoy working with their hands and the sense of accomplishment that comes from visualizing a design, creating it through TinkerCAD, then bringing it into reality through the printers.
Emma: How does your program work?
John: We have a dedicated lab space where we have several 3D printers and some really nice workspaces. We incorporate it into our regular curriculum as much as possible. With our classes only being 3 hours, we need to cover as much as possible. We’re still beholden to the same standards that a traditional school must meet, so we need to be really creative. We’re also dealing with students who either have gaps in their education, have special needs, or just have really poor attitudes toward school. This means our lessons need to be focused and engaging, or the kids will simply check out on us. Project-based learning is our best weapon against this, and our maker space is really effective in drawing the kids in.
Emma: What inspired you to start your maker program?
John: My inspiration to take this program as far as possible definitely came out of my AMUG experience. I applied for a scholarship to the Additive Manufacturers User Group (AMUG), won, and that’s where things really took off.
I had to deliver a presentation in front of about 500 people. It was while on stage that I revealed why I’m so passionate about helping these kids. I admitted for the first time publicly that I, too, am a survivor of sexual abuse, so I know firsthand what these kids are going through, and I don’t want them to make the same mistakes I did.
I had never before admitted my own abuse publicly. My wife, my mother-in-law, and my therapist were the only people who knew. The AMUG community really lifted me up and empowered me. I truly do see myself bringing therapeutic career tech education to many more kids than the 40-70 a year who come through my school.
Emma: What do you hope your students will gain from this program?
John: I hope my students will see a path to a healthy life. I don’t have them long enough to guide them as far as I want. My goal is to show them that a path for them exists. That there is hope for them, and for everyone. I can’t walk them to a job, but I can help them believe in themselves and nudge them onto a trajectory towards a good life. Hope. Hope is my goal.
Emma: What advice do you have for others wanting to bring hands-on STEM education to their school?
John: Advice for others? Jump in! The best way to learn anything is to do it. We learn as much as the kids do somedays. We’re by no means experts in CTE, but we learn and refine with each lesson. We’ve really strengthened our relationship with our kids by admitting we don’t know everything. Mistakes are proof of learning. Also, ask for help. There are so many good people out there willing to help. My program would be nothing without all the external support I’ve received!
Emma: How can people support this program?
John: The response I received from the Additive Manufacturing community was overwhelming. So many people stepped forward to ask how they can help. We’ll take any resources we can, since our funding is extremely limited. We’re basically educational scavengers. I have dreams of bringing this platform to more kids. There are residential centers all over the country, loaded with kids like mine (like me, really) who would flourish with this sort of opportunity.
I’ll find a way to reach more kids soon, I sincerely believe it!
We’re glad to be able to support the students at Westwood Preparatory Academy, and we’re grateful to John for opening up about the challenges of specialized education for children with trauma. If you’d like to support his efforts to increase access to STEM learning, you can purchase items from the program's Amazon Wishlist.
]]>In 2015, my partner Emma and I were volunteering at an engineering outreach event for the Society of Women Engineers hoping to get local high school girls interested in engineering. Being very hands-on people, we decided to make one of our breakout sessions a soldering workshop.
The kits we had purchased for the event used pretty low quality PCBs. If you gave them a bit too much heat and abuse (exactly what you can expect from people learning for the first time), the traces were likely to lift up and break. This led to a lot of frustration. By the end only half of the projects were functioning and we hadn't succeeded in sharing the joy we had found in engineering.
So we set out to fix these problems for next time and designed our own kit using quality, high temp boards and making the kits simple enough to fit into a 30 minutes to one hour lesson plan.
We wanted to share them with the world so we made all our kits 100% open source hardware. This means all of the fabrication files, drawings, BOMs and instructions are available online for anyone to build themselves. Documentation available on Github.
Since 2015 we have taught many hundreds of makers to solder from as young as 4 to as old as 85, leading classes at our local makerspace, community colleges, Maker Faires and elsewhere. We quickly began manufacturing in earnest and found an audience on Amazon and our own Shopify store.
Over the past few years we've grown the business to nearly $100k/yr in sales, sold many tens of thousands of kits, and recently hired Kim our first employee to help us out in packing and shipping the kits.
We have gradually made incremental improvements to all aspects of the product. For assembly we've created a few simple fixtures and jigs to add speed and consistency. With packaging we've gone from printing stickers ourselves with '90s era clipart to much more professional packaging with barcodes and choking hazards and other grownup things. And most of all, we've introduced new kits!
Packaging carousel cuts assembly time by a little over 1/3
My personal favorite kit is the Jitterbug. The first prototype was assembled by Emma out of perfboard and garbage we had lying around the office. It has two LEDs for eyes, a battery and a vibration motor. At the flick of a switch, it lights up with life and skitters off on an adventure.
Emma doesn't love it when I describe her original prototype as a "monstrosity" but it did need a little polishing before we could sell it. I googled some pictures of insects and let the components drive the shape and size of the board until we had the little guy below - somewhere between an ant and a European honeybee.
Production Jitterbug
We currently have three kits:
And we're always thinking about adding a few more: