Beginner Workshop

Everything you need to start your Arduino journey — slides, video guides, example code, and setup instructions.

Slides

Spring 2026

Session	Date	Link
Arduino Slides 1	02/18/2026	View Slides

Fall 2025

Session	Date	Link
Arduino Slides 1	09/18/2025	View Slides
Arduino Slides 2	09/25/2025	View Slides
Arduino Slides 3	10/03/2025	View Slides
Arduino Slides 4	10/09/2025	View Slides

Videos and Guides

Here are some helpful videos and documentation to get started with Arduino:

Arduino IDE — Official Arduino IDE, best for programming Arduino
Arduino Language Reference — Official docs covering all functions, syntax, and examples
Mark Rober Arduino Tutorial — Fun and practical Arduino introduction
What is Arduino? — Quick overview of Arduino boards and projects
Arduino in 100 Seconds — Concise, beginner-friendly explanation of Arduino basics

Examples

Component	What It Does	Project Ideas	Code
LED	Light-emitting diode; turns on/off to emit light	Blink LED, blink with potentiometer, LED patterns	Blink.ino
Potentiometer	Variable resistor; outputs analog voltage based on knob position	Read analog value, control LED brightness, control servo angle	Potentiometer.ino
Servo Motor	Motor that moves to a specific angle; controlled by PWM signal	Sweep servo, control via potentiometer, interactive project	Servo.ino
Piezo Buzzer	Produces sound when voltage is applied; can play tones or melodies	Play a tone, simple melody, alarm signal	Buzzer.ino
Coding Basics	Explore the fundamentals of Arduino programming	Loops, functions, variables, conditionals, and more	basics.ino
OLED Display	Small screen that shows text/graphics via I2C or SPI	Show text, display sensor readings, simple graphics	OLED.ino / OLED Commands
Ultrasonic Sensor	Measures distance by sending sound pulses and measuring echo time	Measure distance, obstacle detection, parking aid	Ultrasonic.ino
Bluetooth	Uses radio waves (2.4 GHz) to create a short-range wireless connection, allowing your Arduino to send/receive data from a phone or computer	Control lights with your phone, use inputs to drive a robot car	controlLED.ino
Joystick	Analog input with two axes (X/Y) and a push button	Control a cursor, navigate menus, game/robot control	Joystick.ino
Temp Sensor	Measures ambient temperature and outputs an analog or digital signal	Display temperature on serial monitor, trigger fan/LED at threshold, weather station	TempSensor.ino

Each folder contains a .ino sketch file that can be opened directly in the Arduino IDE.

Bluetooth Connection Guide

Step-by-Step: Arduino Bluetooth Connection

Instructions

Upload Code: Connect your Arduino via USB. Upload your code using the standard usbmodem port.
Pair Bluetooth: On your computer, find the Bluetooth module in your Bluetooth settings and pair with it. When prompted, use the password 1234.
Connect in Software:
- Once paired, go back to the Arduino IDE (or your serial monitor software)
- Go to Tools > Port
- Select the new Bluetooth port (it will have a different name, often containing “Bluetooth” or “HC-05”). Do not select the old usbmodem port
- Open the Serial Monitor — it should now be connected wirelessly

Troubleshooting

Do not just click “Connect” from your computer’s Bluetooth settings after pairing. You must select the correct serial port from within Tools > Port in the Arduino IDE.
Power loss: If you unplug or remove power from the Bluetooth module, it will disconnect. You may need to re-select the port or re-pair the device to reconnect.

Getting Started

1. Install Arduino IDE

Download and install the Arduino IDE for your operating system.

2. Set Up Your Board

Connect your board (e.g., Arduino Uno) to your computer via USB
Open Arduino IDE and go to Tools > Board — select your board model
Go to Tools > Port — select the correct serial/USB port

3. Upload Your First Sketch

Open one of the example .ino files from this site
Click the Upload button (right arrow) in the Arduino IDE
Watch the onboard LED or connected component respond