SparkFun and Parallax Join Forces for One-Time Class

SparkFun's Education Team to teach eTextiles Workshop at Parallax Headquarters

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Oct 19, 2012, 12:33 ET

ROCKLIN, Calif., Oct. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SparkFun Electronics (http://www.sparkfun.com), a provider of parts, knowledge and passion for electronics creation, and Parallax, designer and manufacturer of microcontroller development tools and small single-board computers, are pleased to announce their first ever collaborative effort - a LilyPad eTextiles class taught by SparkFun employees at Parallax Headquarters.

The idea of the class came about in August 2012, when SparkFun invited Parallax President Ken Gracey and Chief of Engineering Jessica Uelmen to visit SparkFun and present information about the Parallax Propeller Chip. Afterwards, Gracey and Uelmen reciprocated the invite and asked if SparkFun had interest in hosting a workshop at the Parallax facility in California. The answer was a resounding "yes!"

"We're excited to offer something new to the Sacramento community," said Uelmen. "eTextiles is a field we haven't explored much and we are very interested in learning more about it. Working with SparkFun is something we have been looking forward to."

The ProtoSnap LilyPad Development Board (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11262) is designed to get students started in the world of eTextiles. Combining SparkFun's LilyPad Simple Board with other LilyPad components – a buzzer, a vibration motor, a temperature sensor, a button, a switch, five LEDs, a light sensor, and an RGB LED – the LilyPad Dev Board lets students dive right into wearable electronics. When they've learned how to program the LilyPad Arduino Simple Board, they can break apart the components and explore the power of the LilyPad platform.

"Working with Parallax on this class was an easy decision to make," said AnnDrea Boe, director of marketing at SparkFun. "Parallax and SparkFun have a great working relationship and we both have the same goal of enabling the DIY electronics community. We hope this class will inspire people to venture into the world of wearable technology."

The class will take place on October 24th at Parallax Headquarters in Rocklin. For more information or to sign up, please visit (https://learn.sparkfun.com/events/23).

About SparkFun Electronics

Founded in 2003, SparkFun shares its passion by providing parts, knowledge, and innovation for those looking to explore the world of embedded electronics. It helps anyone discover their inner inventor and enables individuals to create their own electronics projects.

SparkFun currently offers more than 1,800 products, ranging from simple components, like capacitors and resistors, to GPS units and Bluetooth modules. The company employs 135 people and is based in Boulder, Colorado.

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SOURCE SparkFun Electronics