Jelly/Creature LED Workshops

Saturday August 2 2024

As part of the 2024 Festival, we'd like to build out our fleet of LED-strip "jellyfish" creatures. The existing fleet lives as 3 strands of 6 individuals each that live in the enchanted forest installation on the third floor. The goal is to build 3-4 more strands and hang them in the same room and other places. The planned workshop activities will focus on building version 2 solitary individuals using pebble lights that can be deployed more sparsely.

Part 1: design and build a creature (2 levels/options)

• Level 1: No- or minimal-solder: wires are twisted together, attached with Wago lever nuts, hookup wire. Optional: split out individual data wires.
• Level 2: Soldering: LED strip pad are tinned, wires soldered to pads, connected with Wago lever nuts, hookup wire. Beginner+ to Intermediate soldering ability/experience.
• We will also go over variations in form, using glue and solder to harden for festival, power tails, etc.

Part 2: learn about the code and design an LED pattern

• Code and pattern making is virtually identical (will explain multiple/individuallly-addressable legs option).
• Instructor will walk the group throught the design and implementation of simple LED patterns and explain the mesh networking/communication.
• All participants receive links to code for the installation + other code/documentation.

Details - What to bring - What we are Building

• Participants are asked to purchase the ESP32 Pico "brain" for $10 in order to keep their creature. Devices built during the workshop/makerspace open hours would be displayed as part of the overall installation Meshed Jellies at the Ingenuity Festival September 27-29. Participants would be invited to take their devices after the festival concludes.
• Additionally, participants are asked to bring USB micro cables + plug units, if possible.
• For the coding portion there would be a lab computer in the makerspace, the instructor's laptop and possibly additional helpful lab members with laptops. It is encouraged that you bring your own laptop, especially if already knowledgable about tech/coding.
• Part 1 is adaptable for all age levels + varying levels of technical ability, crafting ability, etc. This is a non-soldering build where participants would twist wire, use connectors and only use minimally dangerous tools. This build uses the pebble lights.
• A more tech-savvy participant could build more complex versions of a creature using pebble lights. The software generally works with one data line mirrored or multiple data lines individually addressed.
• There is allso the option of building "version 1.0" creatures to help fill out the "fleet". This would involve more wiring, soldering, cabling. Building 3-4 pods of individuals connected with 5V wire. Participants keeping their creature from this iteration would be able to use micro USB to power theirs. We will finish the schools of wired jellies the following Tuesday in the Makers Alliance meeting.