I have collected soooooo many links to great tutorials, articles, tips, tricks, techniques, ideas, inspiration, and all sorts of other stuff. Here is where I keep the links for myself. Since this is public, maybe it will be useful to you, as well.
Click the section title above for the latest collection of Resources for Women & Girls in Tech! The new section has been building for quite a long time, thanks to suggestions and contributions from so many readers and from people who’ve stumbled onto this Resource page who curate their own lists of resources. Thank you all for helping out!
Free STEM Resources Provided By Public Libraries – Learn all sorts of things about STEM and STEM offerings from libraries. There are plenty of STEM programs in libraries that are geared toward different age groups for FREE-ninety-FREE! Also, “…this article includes resources for those interested in seeking more information about STEM-based education that can be done at home or virtually.” (Thank you for this recommendation, Leslie!)
BestCodingBootCamps.com – This site has “compiled qualitative and quantitative research of over 200+ bootcamps and designed a meta score to assess … the various student reviews published on several websites analyzing those bootcamps that specialize in front end development, back end development, full stack development, UX/UI, and data science.” (Thank for this recommendation, Kiel!)
What is Programming? (Khan Academy) – An online course from Khan Academy that explains what exactly programming is and talks about examples of where code is used and how. This is a great place to start if you know little-to-nothing about programming, but you’re curious to understand it more.
LightBot (LightBot.com) – LightBot is a puzzle game based on coding; it secretly teaches you programming logic as you play. It was designed with first-time coders. It’s friendly for all ages and has been used by teachers and students. You’ll learn stuff like sequencing, overloading, procedures, recursive loops, conditionals, and more. It’s available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Apps.
Blockly Games (Blockly.games) – “Blockly Games is a series of educational games that teach programming. It is designed for children who have not had prior experience with computer programming. By the end of these games, players are ready to use conventional text-based languages.”
Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) – Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for children and a coding language with a simple visual interface that allows young people to create digital stories, games, and animations. Scratch is designed, developed, and moderated by the Scratch Foundation, a nonprofit organization. It promotes computational thinking and problem solving skills; creative teaching and learning; self-expression and collaboration; and equity in computing. Scratch is always free and is available in more than 70 languages.
Glitch (Glitch.com) – Glitch is an online web app development system. No software to install on your computer. It’s one way to tinker with web development. If you build something you want to make into a real web app, you can upgrade to an inexpensive paid account and host your app on a few popular hosting platforms.
Codemoji (Codemoji.com) – (Not Free, FYI, but does have a 14-day trial.) Codemoji’s computer science curriculum for schools allows 1st-8th grade students to learn the basics of web development and coding, including HTML, CSS, and Javascript, in a fun and easy way, allowing them to create their own websites, animations and much more with our unique and adaptable learning platform.
Code Combat (CodeCombat.com) – “Our mission: make programming accessible to every student on Earth.” and “If you want to learn to program, you need to write (a lot of) code. At CodeCombat, our job is to make sure you’re doing that with a smile on your face.”
Code Monster/Code Maven/Game Maven (crunchzilla.com) – “Code Monster, Code Maven, and Game Maven are interactive tutorials where kids and adults can play with code, experiment, build, and learn. [These are] interactive programming tutorials using live code. Players learn step-by-step building fun graphics, animations, and even fractals and simple games.”
CS First at Code with Google/Google for Education – (Maybe more for educators, but maybe the kids and parents seeing this information can share it with your teachers!) CS First is a Computer Science curriculum that makes coding easy to teach and fun to learn. Schools with Google Educational Enterprise accounts can use this system for online CS training/learning. Here is the resource page for educators, FYI.
Juni Learning (JuniLearning.com) – From their home page: “Juni offers online STEAM courses in topics we all wish we could have learned in school like Coding, Storytelling, Investing, and more.” They provide courses in coding, communications, investing, math, science, and you can find training by format, like one-on-one, on-demand, boot camps, etc.
How to Get into a Top-Tier Computer Science Program – This article from Juni Learning (above) provides tips and steps for students from 5 to high-school age on how to be more competitive for admission into the top Computer Science universities in the U.S.
(Thank you to Matt [by way of Mr. Rizzo] for the following two links!)
A Free Project Guide for Robotics and Engineering – This free project guide for robotics and engineering will help you get started on the path to a robotics career or hobby without the hindrance of high initial costs. There are free resources for tutorials, reading materials to learn robotics, and help finding equipment. You’ll also find robotics organizations, conferences, and even competitions.
Bottle Rockets and Other Educational Crafts – Learning should stop after the bell or after you graduate. This page has a list of links and PDFs for cool projects and experiments you can do at home, including bottle rockets, bath bombs, terrariums, telescopes, and robots.
(Thank you to Jennifer and Hannah Nelson for following two links!)
Kid’s Online Learning Tools for Science, Technology and Beyond! (BestKidStuff.com) – This is a great list of resources and activity ideas for the kiddos, from science fair projects to STEM activities to programming and computer/technology resources. Coincidentally, I’ve used a few of the Computer and Technology resources on this page to teach coworkers about computer science! One of my favorite websites for computer history and back stories is The Computer History Museum.
Software Programming and Coding Glossary for Kids – This is a list of software development (or programming or coding) terms and links to other related resources for kids who are interested in learning how to code.
Blockly: Maze from BrainPop.com – This is a fantastic drag-n-drop programming puzzle where you help a little character find its way to a marker through increasingly complex mazes with simple commands like move forward, turn left, turn right, as well as conditional statements like repeat until and if do. You are also limited on the number of commands you can use to solve each puzzle, depending on complexity.
Electrical Education: Science Lessons and Activities – This page has a great list of links to all sorts of interesting and useful electrical articles, resources, etc. Categories like History of Electricity, Generating Electricity, and Learning Electrical Skills. (Thank you to Tom Coner for the suggestion!)
(My Place to Remember Parts for Later)
Microchip MCP73831/2 – – Miniature Single-Cell, Fully Integrated Li-Ion, Li-Polymer Charge Management Controllers
BQ24195 – Management/Charging
MAX17043 & MAX17044 – Fuel gauge – Compact, Low-Cost 1S/2S Fuel Gauge with Low-Battery Alert
Microchip MRF24J40MB 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 ZigBee transceiver module with integrated antenna. I have not used one, yet, but it’s on my list to play with. Looks like a cool solution for remote control, especially over longer distances.
Note: Just to be clear, distributors are listed on the right side of the pages of my blog. This is a list of searches for specific things you might need or for unusual specific parts.
FindTape.com – AMAZING resource for all your tape needs! Gaffer’s tape, double-sided Nitto tape… You name it, they have it.
GREAT search of Switching Regulators at Digi-Key – If you want to make your projects more efficient, first of all, by the power of Ohm’s law, lower your voltages! But secondly, switch to a switching regulator! It’s EASY! Some are drop-in replacements for linear regulators and they’re WAY more efficient. Your batteries will thank you, trust me.
Another Switching Regulator Saved Search at Digi-Key – Same as above, with slightly more refined parameters that brought up more selections. Both searches contain worthwhile parts to order, for sure.
http://shop.moderndevice.com/products/wind-sensor – Modern Device have a growing collection of sensors and components and especially breakout boards. There is an interesting wind sensor that I’ve been meaning to try that works on temperature or some sorta thing. Neat.
http://www.superdroidrobots.com/shop/default.aspx – A robotics supply place with a great selection of parts and kits.
CIT Relay & Switch – http://www.citrelay.com/ – A great selection of switches and relays.
Allied Electronics Industrial Connectors Section – http://www.alliedelec.com/industrial-connectors/ – I used a few different hefty industrial connectors for the Office Chairiot and this place is a good source for just about any type you can imagine.
Fully On-Line Gear Generator – An AMAZING utility if you want to quickly created gears and even TRY THEM live in your browser. Output them to SVG and import them into your favorite CAD system for 3D printing.
Understanding and Using DC Motor Specifications – Great PDF on working with and understanding motors including wheels and specs and whatnot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L3rirpTdaY – EnviroTex Lite thick clear polymer coating for protecting surfaces of projects and whatnot. Cool stuff! Haven’t used it, but heard about it from a few others.
MAX CLR-TC (and other polymer products) from Polymer Products (and demonstration video) – Low surface blemish and air entrapment clear coating that’s easy to use and makes for a super smooth and air-bubble-free coating. (The non-store website is here.)
PEI-Genesis – I got a tip on this company from a moderator at Engineer’s Tribune. PEI-Genesis supplies super-cool connectors and cabling solutions, as well as custom solutions. I’m not sure they’d work with any of us as DIYers/makers/tinkerers, but the parts they offer are aerospace-y coolness and I’m thinking it would be fun to get samples just to make the Office Chairiot Mark III look more aerospace-y, no?
Box Enclosures, Inc. is a full service designer, manufacturer and supplier of injection molded plastic enclosures, handheld electronic enclosures, instrument cases and anodized extruded aluminum enclosures.
Peau Productions – Touch screens, interactive hardware, software… Many great products and solutions for interactive anything!
Animated Knots – How to Tie Knots – Fishing, Boating, Climbing, Scouting, Search and Rescue, Household, Decorative, Rope Care
B+N Industries, Inc. – Innovative designer and manufacturer of products and systems for the retail, architectural, and consumer industries.
shopPOPdisplays is a manufacturer & supplier of stock & custom displays based in New Jersey (USA!) who works with individuals and businesses of all sizes, from mom-n-pop shops to businesses with more than 10,000 retail outlets. They say since opening their doors in 1979, they have delivered more than a million stock and custom display solutions to customers.
Displays2go – http://www.displays2go.com/ – A cool source of inspiration or products for everything A/V, like podiums, booth backdrops, product displays, portable display options, etc.
NASA Searchable Photos – http://nasaimages.lunaimaging.com/ – NASA has accumulated arguably one of the best collections of space-age photos on earth. Search them and get them here.
A Handyman’s Guide to Tinkering (at HomeAdvisor.com)
6 DIY Firepit Ideas To Spruce Up Any Backyard – Building the cool fire pit at our previous home took several days of pretty sweaty work. If you’re not that patient, but want a swanky fire pit, check out this quick little article with examples of easy, one-day fire pit build ideas. Your yard deserves more than a dirt campfire hole.
Because bourbon is delicious!
Kentucky Bourbon Festival – Go to Bardstown, KY! It’s so much fun! From the home page: “The Kentucky Bourbon Festival gives you 6 full days of smooth Bourbon, delicious food, and great entertainment, with a healthy dose of Kentucky hospitality thrown in for good measure.”
Kentucky Bourbon Trail – Do it! It’s a HOOT! In fact, while you’re at the above Kentucky Bourbon Festival, why NOT? You’re there. Enjoy the festivities and then enjoy the tours and tastings. Tour the 8 member distilleries in and around the Louisville/Lexington area of Kentucky, very definitely the bourbon capitol of the world.
The official tour document for my I Heart Bourbon Tour 2013 (PDF) I put on for a bunch of good friends. I thought I’d throw it up here because it had some cool info and photos in it.
Bourbon Whipped Cream – This is dee-lish-uss. But, more importantly, the recipe is a comic strip from the brilliant Cooking Comically website. Enjoy!