Biomaker for Beginners: No-Code Programming for Biology
The No-Code Programming for Biology programme has been designed by the Biomaker team to introduce beginners to the basics of building hardware and bioinstrumentation. These skills can be used to build custom instruments for use in biological lab and fieldwork.
Beginner’s Guide
Our Beginner Guide is a great place to start. Based on the cheap and easily-accessible Grove All-in-One Beginner Kit for Arduino, the guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to get started.
Workshops
Looking for more guidance? Join one of our workshops, take a look at our previous workshop recordings, or learn how to host your own workshop, with our Teacher’s Manual.
Support
We have a wide range of resources available for anyone getting started with Biomaking. Take a look at our Resources page for useful information about the programme and accompanying hardware.
Why Learn Biomaking?
The programme is designed to introduce biologists, or other scientists with little formal programming training, to the basics of Biomaking, including:
● Use of Arduino-based microcontrollers
● Use of sensors, displays and actuators
● Use of XOD visual programming
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. You can find examples of previous Biomaker projects covering a wide range of applications including instrumentation, microscopy, microfluidics, 3D printing, biomedical devices, DNA design, plant sciences and outreach and public engagement under the Projects tab.