EL_P: Simple Solar Circuits: Solar lighting for Halloween! (For Members and/or member's family only))

This class will demonstrate and discuss several solar circuits to provide power and lighting for Halloween decorations, or any other purpose.

We will discuss two solar lighting solutions, one made entirely from discrete components and one built using an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). We'll demonstrate the complex, non-IC circuit, but then everyone can build the simple IC-based circuit. Students will get hands-on practice by building with real components, and exploring analog voltage concepts: particularly current flow and Joule Theiving.*

Students will construct circuits on a breadboard, both from raw components and utilizing IC's to improve efficiency. Each student will take home a dual-LED light ready to be added to another project. This course does not explicitly teach soldering, but students will be able to solder or heat-gun their parts together under mild guidance.

Students are encouraged to bring their own multimeter or soldering iron as desired. Students will be able to take home the IC-circuit - battery, solar panel, IC, two LEDs and breadboard/wires to hook it up. I've used this circuit to replace plain batteries in my Halloween decorations and will bring an example to show.

This is an adult class, but beginners of all ages 8+ are welcome. Guardian required for those between 8 and 15.

Prerequisites: None.
Preparation/Tools: None.
Cost $30; parents can attend free with kid to work on a combined project. (Parents - please register for the class in your name).

Additional solar LED kits can be purchased for $10.

This event has been previously posted in Meetup.com https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/events/281277413/