Gearing Up for Summer
It's time to plan out some summer projects!
Although it is snowing in Colorado as we speak, most schools are getting out this week (if they aren't already) and with summer just around the corner, we're here to help kickstart your calendar for the season with some of our finest summer-appropriate projects, tutorials and products. You may love to get outdoors, but you can still find a project to accompany you. Maybe it's a stormy day and you need an activity to pass the time. Perhaps it is way too hot outside to be comfortable, which makes for the perfect excuse to stay inside and cool. Whatever you reason may be, check out all the parts and projects below to get a better idea of what to get started on!
Weather
Summer is the best time to get outside, which also makes it perfect for getting accurate temperature, humidity and barometric readings. We have multiple options to get you started, including an incredibly handy kit utilizing micro:bit!
Health
What better time of year focus on fitness? We offer a multitude of different options to find your heart rate, electromyography (EMG) and oxygen readings, all from very simple set-ups!
MyoWare Muscle Sensor Development Kit
KIT-14409
BITalino (r)evolution Board Kit
DEV-14022
Music
Be the life of the party when you bring your very own, custom audio player to your next BBQ, party or impromptu get-together! People will be sure to ask how you made it, but be warned, they'll also probably hit you up in the future when one of their electronics breaks down (if they don't already)!
Tsunami Super WAV Trigger
WIG-13810
SparkFun Qwiic MP3 Trigger
DEV-15165
SparkFun Papa Soundie Audio Player
DEV-14554
SparkFun Little Soundie Audio Player
DEV-14006Project Ideas
To round out the post, here are a few random projects we've created that can be put to good use in the warmer months! If you don't see one you like, we have hundreds more over on our Learn Site.
Interactive Smart Mirror
Build a smart mirror that displays weather data using the Intel® Edison.
DIY Light-Up Shoes
This tutorial provides everything you need to know to make your own light up high top sneakers!
Wireless Audio Bluetooth Adapter w/ BC127
Build a custom wireless audio Bluetooth adapter using BlueCreation's BC127 and add it to your old speaker system!
Raspberry Pi Zero Helmet Impact Force Monitor
How much impact can the human body handle? This tutorial will teach you how to build your very own impact force monitor using a helmet, Raspberry Pi Zero, and accelerometer!
LED Crystal Goddess Crown
Follow this tutorial to make your own Crystal Goddess Crown with LEDs!
Building an Autonomous Vehicle: The Batmobile
Documenting a six-month project to race autonomous Power Wheels at the SparkFun Autonomous Vehicle Competition (AVC) in 2016.
Light Up Pennant with E-Textiles
Show your school spirit, geek pride, or fandom with a light up pennant using the LilyTwinkle or LilyPad Arduino.
Sunrise Machine with the Tessel 2
Are you to sleepy to enjoy a sunrise on a brisk morning? Yeah...us too! No worries, with a Webcam, a Tessel 2 and a bit of code you can sleep in and catch the sunrise at your leisure with the Sunrise Machine.
These are just a few ideas to get you started this summer. Maybe you want to build a drone or robot? How about tackling machine learning and artificial intelligence? You can even stay in and read a book! Regardless, let us know what you are making this summer!
