Build and Solder Your Own Sound-Activated Pumpkin: A Beginner Circuit Board Workshop
About this Workshop
Ever wondered how the electronics inside your gadgets are actually made and wanted to build one yourself? In this hands-on workshop you'll follow a circuit from idea to finished product and walk away with a working sound-activated Halloween pumpkin whose LED eyes flash when you talk, clap, or shout near it.
We'll start with the basics: what a printed circuit board (PCB) actually is, how to read the copper traces, pads, and artwork on a real board, and how a digital design becomes a physical product. You'll also learn how to order your own bare PCB online through PCBWay (which files you need, what settings to choose, and how to preview your board before you buy) so you can make your own designs after the workshop.
Then comes the fun part: soldering. No experience needed. We'll cover tool safety and technique, and then you'll hand-solder the components onto a custom pumpkin-shaped board, test your creation live, troubleshoot anything that misbehaves, and take your glowing pumpkin home.
No prior electronics or soldering experience is required. All materials will be provided and beginners are welcome. Participants must be 18 or older.
Limit of 4 participants in this workshop.
Meet your Instructors
Steve Ranck
Steven Ranck is a retired video game developer, entrepreneur, and electrical engineer originally from California. His interest in building things started early - at age 12, he designed and built his first electromechanical game. Over a 31-year career in the video game industry, he developed numerous console and arcade games and founded two game development studios. Steven holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and continues to enjoy hands-on projects involving electronics, custom PCBs, 3D printing, and mechanical design, as well as racquetball and pickleball.
Workshop Ended
This workshop has already taken place. Enrollment is closed.