No-Code Programming Workshop, Autumn 2020
Join us for an online workshop in no-code programming and hardware building, and get hands-on experience with building instrumentation for biology.
No-code programming workshop? What’s that?
This course is ideal for biologists or other scientists with little formal experience of programming. The workshop is designed to introduce you to Arduino-based microcontrollers, sensor electronics, displays and actuators that are useful for measuring and controlling biological systems - and provide the no-code programming tools that can be used to build integrated bioinstrument prototypes.
Participants will learn to build simple computing devices for biological applications, using an Arduino microcontroller, XOD visual programming tools and touch screen displays.
The workshop will be held in two sessions:
Session 1: Friday 13th November 17:00-18:30
Session 2: Friday 20th November 17:00-18:30
We ask that participants attend both sessions, in order to cover the full content of the course.
Please register by 2nd November to ensure that we can deliver your Biomaker kit in time for the workshop.
Why learn ‘biomaking’?
Training in the use of these new tools will allow participants to build a wide range of instruments and devices that are potentially useful for experiments in the lab and field. These new skills can be enabling in many ways. The components for this type of instrumentation are often very cheap, especially when compared with off- the-shelf commercial solutions. The use of simple hardware and software resources allow easy modification, extension and repair of custom instruments. The use of open-source components and systems promotes sharing of information and set up of collaborative projects, which creates a growing set of resources for the community to draw from.
Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in the 2020 Biomaker Challenge, where they can apply for funding to pursue a chosen project. Examples of previous Biomaker projects can be found here, with applications including instrumentation, microscopy, microfluidics, 3D printing, biomedical devices, DNA design, plant sciences and outreach and public engagement.
What is no-code programming?
Unlike traditional text-based programming, no-code programming uses a visual interface to let you write, edit and upload programmes. In our no-code workshops we will be using the visual programming language XOD.
Watch An Introduction to No-Code Programming for Biology to find out more about the programme.
The Biomaker beginner's kit
Participants will receive a Biomaker beginner's kit, based on the Grove All-In-One Beginner's Kit for Arduino. This kit contains an Arduino-based microcontroller, and several useful electronic components, such lights, buzzers, buttons, a screen and a range of environmental sensors. All components are combined into one small, simple board, so no electronic work or wiring is required.
In the two workshop sessions we will show you how to get started with using this board to build environmental sensors.
Participants will also have the chance to receive an expansion kit, additional training materials, and to have a project funded as part of the Biomaker Challenge.
Learning outcomes
1. Build simple computing devices.
You will be provided with an Arduino-compatible microcontroller board with a range of inbuilt sensors, displays and output devices. The Arduino community has established open standards and rich ecosystem of resources for simple microcontrollers, first established to simplify programming and physical computing for designers and artists. An Arduino circuit board can be plugged into the USB port of any laptop, and a simple programming environment used to program it. A program is simply loaded to permanent memory on the Arduino board, which will execute a program loop whenever the board is powered on - behaving as a dedicated appliance or instrument. Arduino boards include many input/output ports, and are intended to interface with sensors, displays, motors and other output devices. The Arduino system provides a simple environment for learning programming and hardware skills, and developing real-world laboratory tools for biologists.
2. Code-free Programming
XOD provides a visual way of programming using a flowchart-like system of interconnected nodes (https://xod.io). Each node corresponds to hardware device or computational process, and data flow is controlled by connections between the nodes that are drawn on-screen. XOD eliminates the need to write code manually, and avoids the complexities of text-based code and syntax. XOD can be used to directly program Arduino boards, and allows real-time debugging of code. Experienced programmers can encapsulate and share existing Arduino IDE code in graphical nodes. The graphical dataflow layout of a XOD program allows biologists to better communicate and collaborate in joint projects - facilitating communication between wetware, software and hardware experts.
Workshop Schedule
Friday 13th November 17:00 to 18:30
17:00 Welcome!
An introduction to Biomaker and No-Code Programming for Biology.
17:05 Lesson 1: Introduction
An overview of some important concepts, including the grove board, microcontrollers and the XOD IDE.
Objectives: (i) get to know the Grove board and its parts (ii) understand what a microcontroller is and the basics of how it works (iii) get an overview of the XOD IDE software and some of the terminology used in XOD
17:30 Lesson 2: Getting Started (hands-on)
Get started with using your board. You will learn how to programme your board to perform simple tasks, such as flashing an LED, pressing a button and sounding a buzzer.
Objectives: (i) use the XOD IDE to perform the following simple tasks: add a node, change pin settings, connect nodes, add a library (iii) upload programmes to your board (iv) clear programmes from your board (v) use three of the inbuilt components on the Grove board: the LED, the buzzer and the button
16:20 Round Up
Brief summary of the session and introduction to the second session.
Friday 20th November 17:00 to 18:30
17:00 Welcome!
A quick recap of last session, and an introduction to this session
17:05 Lesson 3: XOD Basics
An introduction to what XOD can do and a demonstration of some of the most useful tools in XOD
Objectives: (i) understand what the following nodes can be used for in XOD: tweak, watch, flip-n-times, flip-flop, clock, count, concat, join, format-number (ii) understand how to use the ‘upload and debug’ function in XOD (iii) get an idea of what kinds of programme it is possible to build in XOD
17:25 Lesson 4: Building Programmes (hands-on)
Work through an example of how to make your own XOD nodes and use the inbuilt OLED screen.
Objectives: (i) learn how to build a new node in XOD (ii) practice building more complex programmes in XOD (iii) use the inbuilt OLED screen to display text
17:55 Mini-Challenge (breakout groups)
What is the most interesting thing you can build with your Grove board and OLED screen? Can you make an environmental sensor? Or a simple game? What could you make if you had more components?
16:20 Round-Up
Brief summary of the workshop and information about how to take your next steps with biomaking.