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Biomaker Resources

We have put together a collection of useful resources for anyone who would like to get involved with Biomaker, or just learn more about working with low-cost hardware for biology. We have split these resources into those designed for beginners and those designer for advanced and experienced makers. This is just a guide, and we encourage you to explore any resources which you may find useful. These resources are free to share and reuse, but please credit the Biomaker programme when doing so.

 Beginner and No-Code Programming for Biology Resources

These resources are a great place to get started. Perfect for beginners and those with little or no experience of programming and using hardware.

Featured
No-Code Programming for Biology Beginner's Guide
Beginner
No-Code Programming for Biology Beginner's Guide
Beginner

A step-by-step guide to using the Biomaker Beginner’s Kit and getting started with custom hardware.

Beginner
No-Code Programming for Biology XOD Tutorial File
Beginner
No-Code Programming for Biology XOD Tutorial File
Beginner

Tutorial file to accompany the Beginner’s Guide. This file will guide you through the activities in the Beginner’s Guide within the XOD programming software.

Beginner
Video Tutorials
Beginner
Video Tutorials
Beginner

Video Tutorials covering various aspects of the No-Code Programming for Biology programme and getting started.

Beginner
Beginner's Kit Starter Board Support
Beginner
Beginner's Kit Starter Board Support
Beginner

An overview of the Grove All-in-One Beginner Kit for Arduino supplied in the XOD beginner’s kit. Information about the onboard components and how to use them.

Beginner
XOD Software
Beginner
XOD Software
Beginner

Information about the XOD visual programming software and some simple tasks to get you started.

Beginner
Project Documentation
Beginner, Advanced
Project Documentation
Beginner, Advanced

Information about how to document your projects using Hackster, and add them to the Biomaker Hackster Hub.

Beginner, Advanced
Converting Arduino Libraries to XOD
Beginner, Advanced
Converting Arduino Libraries to XOD
Beginner, Advanced

Tutorial guide that takes you through how to convert (class-based) Arduino Libraries into XOD nodes. Useful for expanding the range of hardware you can use in XOD. Written by Matt Wayland.

Beginner, Advanced
Programación Sin Código para Biología: Guía para Principiantes
Beginner
Programación Sin Código para Biología: Guía para Principiantes
Beginner

Un guía ‘paso-a-paso’ para acompanar el Biomaker Kit para principiantes. Aprender como hacer tus propios dispositivos para la investigación biológica. (Spanish translation of the No-Code Programming for Biology Beginner’s Guide)

Beginner
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Advanced and Experienced Maker Resources

These resources are a great place to expand your skills. Perfect for those who have completed the No-Code Programming for Biology Course or those with other experience of programming and using hardware.

Featured
MKII Starter Kit/Expansion Kit
Advanced
MKII Starter Kit/Expansion Kit
Advanced

Information about the 2019/2020 Biomaker starter kit (MKII - now called the expansion kit) based on the Arduino Rich Uno R3 board and Open Smart components.

Advanced
MKII Starter Kit/Expansion Kit Tutorials
Advanced
MKII Starter Kit/Expansion Kit Tutorials
Advanced

A list of tutorials designed to get you started with the Biomaker expansion kit (previously the MKII starter kit).

Advanced
MKI Starter Kit
Advanced
MKI Starter Kit
Advanced

Information about the 2018 Biomaker starter kit (MKI) based on the Gtronics Protoshield Plus.

Advanced
Hardware Building Blocks
Advanced
Hardware Building Blocks
Advanced

Some useful information about additional hardware and building blocks that can be added to the beginner’s kit, or used when building biological instrumentation.

Advanced
Touch Screen Interface
Advanced
Touch Screen Interface
Advanced

Information about the 4D Systems touch screen interface and how to use it in your bioinstrumentation projects.

Advanced
Multifunction Shields
Advanced
Multifunction Shields
Advanced

Information on a rage of useful multifunction shields that allow you you expand the capacity of your board without wiring.

Advanced
I2C Devices
Advanced
I2C Devices
Advanced

Information on some useful I2C devices, how to set them up and use them.

Advanced
Robotics
Advanced
Robotics
Advanced

An introduction to how to use Arduino boards for robotics, including the use of actuators. Uses the mBot robot as an example.

Advanced
Hardware Survey
Advanced
Hardware Survey
Advanced

Overview of the different hardware surveyed by the Biomaker team and our partners. Useful information about the different options when picking a development board and expansion modules.

Advanced
Project Documentation
Beginner, Advanced
Project Documentation
Beginner, Advanced

Information about how to document your projects using Hackster, and add them to the Biomaker Hackster Hub.

Beginner, Advanced
Converting Arduino Libraries to XOD
Beginner, Advanced
Converting Arduino Libraries to XOD
Beginner, Advanced

Tutorial guide that takes you through how to convert (class-based) Arduino Libraries into XOD nodes. Useful for expanding the range of hardware you can use in XOD. Written by Matt Wayland.

Beginner, Advanced

Teacher, Trainer and Educator Resources

These resources are a great place to find teaching and training materials. Perfect for those with some experience who are looking to share their skills with others.

Featured
Teacher's Manual (Draft)
Educators
Teacher's Manual (Draft)
Educators

This is a draft of the Biomaker No-Code Programming for Biology Teacher’s Manual. As a supplement to our Beginner’s Guide, this booklet will provide useful information for those wanting to host their own No-Code Programming for Biology courses or workshops.

Educators
Preparation Checklist
Educators
Preparation Checklist
Educators

Checklist for anyone preparing to host their own No-Code Programming for Biology workshops. Top tips on how to organise and prepare a workshop.

Educators
Suggested Course Structures
Educators
Suggested Course Structures
Educators

Some suggested structures for running your own No-Code Programming for Biology workshops. Run your course in 2-3 sessions, online or in person. Includes preparation required and suggested agendas.

Educators
Workshop Slide Decks
Educators
Workshop Slide Decks
Educators

A series of slide decks to accompany the suggested course structures. The slides cover much of the content from the Beginner’s Guide and include presentation notes.

Educators
Teaching Sheets (Draft)
Educators
Teaching Sheets (Draft)
Educators

A draft of the teaching sheets for each lesson including an overview of the aims and objectives of each lesson, key points to cover, a list of available resources, hints and tips, and troubleshooting advice for some common problems.

Educators
Comms Resources
Educators
Comms Resources
Educators

A set of useful communication resources for anyone organising their own workshop including, information for participants, posters, questionnaires and templates.

Educators
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