The Internet of Things by 
The Maker Movement Manifesto: Rules for Innovation in the New World of Crafters, Hackers, and Tinkerers by
Learn the Tech
The library has information about a variety of technology to use in projects and makerspace activities. Learn more through the ACC Libraries and web resources. Here are some examples:
Arduino Sketches by
Master programming Arduino with this hands-on guide Arduino Sketches is a practical guide to programming the increasingly popular microcontroller that brings gadgets to life. Accessible to tech-lovers at any level, this book provides expert instruction on Arduino programming and hands-on practice to test your skills. You'll find coverage of the various Arduino boards, detailed explanations of each standard library, and guidance on creating libraries from scratch - plus practical examples that demonstrate the everyday use of the skills you're learning. Work on increasingly advanced programming projects, and gain more control as you learn about hardware-specific libraries and how to build your own. Take full advantage of the Arduino API, and learn the tips and tricks that will broaden your skillset. The Arduino development board comes with an embedded processor and sockets that allow you to quickly attach peripherals without tools or solders. It's easy to build, easy to program, and requires no specialized hardware. For the hobbyist, it's a dream come true - especially as the popularity of this open-source project inspires even the major tech companies to develop compatible products. Arduino Sketches is a practical, comprehensive guide to getting the most out of your Arduino setup. You'll learn to: Communicate through Ethernet, WiFi, USB, Firmata, and Xbee Find, import, and update user libraries, and learn to create your own Master the Arduino Due, Esplora, Yun, and Robot boards for enhanced communication, signal-sending, and peripherals Play audio files, send keystrokes to a computer, control LED and cursor movement, and more This book presents the Arduino fundamentals in a way that helps you apply future additions to the Arduino language, providing a great foundation in this rapidly-growing project. If you're looking to explore Arduino programming, Arduino Sketches is the toolbox you need to get started.
Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi by
Matt Timmons-Brown takes you through the process of building your own robot with the Raspberry Pi microcomputer - with no experience necessary! Starting from the ground up, you'll add complexity to your robot with each chapter by adding and tweaking code and components, and also receive advice on which materials you can use to make your builds unique and personal. By the end of the book, you'll know how to apply the knowledge you've gained to build other robots. If you're ready to level up your robotics skills with Raspberry Pi, let Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi be your guide!
Mastering 3D Printing by
Get the most out of your printer, including how to design models, choose materials, work with different printers, and integrate 3D printing with traditional prototyping to make techniques like sand casting more efficient.This book is for new 3D printer owners, makers of all kinds, entrepreneurs, technology educators, and anyone curious about what you can do with a 3D printer. In this revised and expanded new edition of Mastering 3D Printing, which has been a trusted resource through five years of evolution in the 3D printing industry, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of 3D printing. This book presumes no foreknowledge and describes what you need to know about how printers work, how to decide which type of printer (filament, resin, or powder) makes the most sense for you, and then how to go forward in the case of filament and resin printers. This new edition now includes material about consumer resin printing, the evolution of lower-cost metal printing, and the plethora of both materials and applications. What You'll Learn Choose among the different 3D printing technologies Create or find 3D models to print Make both easy and challenging prints come out as you imagined Assess whether your business, factory, home or classroom will benefit from 3D printing Work with applications that are good candidates for first projects in home and industrial applications Who This Book Is For People who are encountering 3D printing for the first time, or for those who want to level up their skills. It is designed for the nontechnical adult and minimizes jargon. However more sophisticated users will still find tips and insights of value.
Project Ideas
Check out these websites for cool project ideas! You can find more like these across the web. Questions? Contact us!
Arduino and Raspberry Pi Projects
The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn by
Start-to-finish, fun projects for makers of all types, ages, and skill levels! Written by two school librarians obsessed with making stuff, this easy-to-follow guide is full of hands-on, low-cost makerspace projects that will inspire inventors and makers of all ages. The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn features practical tips for beginners and open-ended challenges for advanced makers. The book features dozens of classroom-tested, hands-on DIY projects and challenges. Each project features clear, non-technical step-by-step instructions with photos and illustrations to ensure success, expand the imagination, and foster innovation. You will explore recyclables hacks, smartphone tweaks, paper circuits, e-textiles, musical instruments, coding and programming, 3-D printing, and much, much more! * Fun projects spur the creativity of makers at every skill level * Covers trending technology such as littleBits, Makey Makey, and Sphero * Authored by a pair of experienced educators and dedicated makers
Raspberry Pi Retro Gaming by
Learn to configure a Raspberry Pi into multiple different devices capable of playing retro games. Beyond theory, this book focuses heavily on projects--such as making a console to attach to a TV or computer display and making a tabletop arcade machine. It also teaches you how to install and use the Kodi media center on your retro game player. tart with the big-picture of the Raspberry Pi retro-gaming landscape and the wide range of exciting project opportunities that exist. You'll then discover the various retro-gaming emulation platforms, such as RetroPie and Recalbox, and how to work with ROM files. This book even goes a step further and teaches you how to create game ROMs from your old cartridges! You'll also study the types of game playing equipment people have made using Raspberry Pis and how to set up a Raspberry Pi with those devices. Retro-gaming enthusiasts are using the Pi to make a dizzying variety of game playing hardware. There are players that fit in an Altoids mint tin, players that look like classic systems, and players that let you choose from over 20,000 game titles. And there are emulators for every platform imaginable, and many models available online to download and make on a 3D printer or laser cutter. Raspberry Pi Retro Gaming includes everything you need to know about playing retro games on a Raspberry Pi and making cool machines that play thousands of retrogames. What You'll Learn Use Tinkercad to design your own cases Get your case 3D printed if you don't have a 3D printer Design parts for laser cutting or jigsaw cutting Solder and use electronics components, batteries, and power supplies Select and set up different kinds of displays Who This Book Is For Anyone interested in playing retrocomputer games and making their own retro-game players.
Start Making! by
Start Making! is a program developed by the Clubhouse Network to engage young people all over the world in Maker-inspired activities. With this guide, you will discover how to plan and coordinate Start Making! projects in your home, school, library, community center, after-school club, or makerspace. You'll learn strategies for engaging young people in creative thinking, developing individual and team projects, and sharing and reflecting on their creations. Each session includes a list of the supplies you'll need, step-by-step instructions for completing the projects, and prompts for stimulating discussion, curiosity, and confidence. These fun do-it-yourself (and do-it-together) projects teach fundamental STEAM concepts -- science, technology, engineering, art, and math -- while introducing young people to the basics of circuitry, design, coding, crafting, and construction. They'll make paper cards and creations that light up, play music using a MaKey MaKey keyboard and Scratch programming, join together to make paintings with light, design and construct 3D sculptures, build a vibrating art-bot that makes drawings, and sew fabric creations with wearable circuits. Dip into the activities once a week, run them as a week-long summer activity, or go through the guide in any way that works for you. By offering your own Start Making! program, you can inspire young people in your community to develop creative ideas, learn new skills, and share their creations. The Clubhouse Network is a global network of community-based centers led by Boston's Museum of Science in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab.
