The Biomaker Training Programme

Our 3-stage training programme will guide you through building your own custom low-cost devices for biological research. From starting out with no-code programming to building wireless sensing systems and more.

Stage 1: Beginner’s Kit

Getting started

For those with little/no prior experience

Grove Arduino Beginner's Board

XOD Programming Software

No-Code Programming for Biology Beginner's Guide

Stage 2: Expansion Kit

Adding external components

For those looking to expand their skills

Totem Chassis Building Kit

Additional Sensor Pack

Extended Guide and Tutorials

Stage 3: IoT Wireless Kit

Building IoT applications

For those building wireless prototypes

Wio Wireless and Bluetooth Terminal

Remote Battery Pack

Long Range (LoRa) Wireless Module

Learn more

1. Simple Arduino Hardware

Biomaker projects start with a kit of parts that are compatible with open-source Arduino-based hardware. The 2021/22 Biomaker Beginner’s Kit is based on the Grove All-In-One Beginner kit for Arduino. This development board comes with a range of useful devices and sensors inbuilt, so there’s no need for wiring or electronics - the perfect place to start!

The Grove All—In-One Beginner Kit for Arduino

2. No-Code Visual Programming

XOD is an open source programming software. Instead of using text-based code, XOD uses a graphical layout where you build programmes by connecting of a series of on-screen nodes. Learning XOD programming can flatten the learning curve when staring to programme hardware, and can be used to programme Arduino boards in the same way as text-based code.

Screenshot of the XOD Programming Software

3. Free Online Training Materials

To help you get started, we have provided the No-Code Programming for Biology Beginner’s Guide. This book will guide you though how to get started using aspects of the Biomaker programme including the Grove All-In-One Beginner Kit for Arduino and XOD software. The guide is available as a free-to-download PDF document, and print copies are available for Biomaker and No-Code participants.

4. Chassis building

Totem is a prototyping system for makers. The system consists of plastic cuttable parts, custom tools and a family of cleverly designed metal brackets that can be used to construct complicated structures - from chassis to mobile robots and mounts for 3D printed housings. The Totem Grove kit provides a flexible framework for the integration of the Grove beginner kit, add-on electronic components, and a breadboard for prototyping.

Totem Grove Rack. Custom Totem Maker kit built to house the Grove Beginner’s Kit for Arduino (part of the Biomaker Beginner’s Kit)

5. Add-On Components

The Grove Beginner Kit board can support the use of a wide range of additional components that include sensors, actuators and displays. The devices themselves are often inexpensive, and can be obtained from a wide variety of suppliers. The Biomaker expansion kit (pack 2) includes a range of useful add-on sensing modules suitable for lab and field work.

A variety of Grove-compatible Time of Flight (ToF) distance sensors. Left to Right: M5stack VL53L0X Unit, Grove VL530X Module, VL53L0X Breakout Board and Adafruit VL530X Module

6. Wireless Communication

The Wio Terminal is an Arduino-compatible microcontroller with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. The compact module includes an integrated LCD Screen, an onboard tilt sensor, microphone, buzzer, microSD card slot, light sensor, and infrared emitter. The terminal can be used in conjunction with the Wio battery pack and LoRa module to create wireless communication systems perfect for field and agriculture applications.