technoJAM is a free event, organised by the Quantum Technology Club, that is designed to introduce folk of all ages to making the most of modern technology; programming, controlling systems, electronic construction, Raspberry Pi’s, Arduinos, BBC Micro:bit, Amateur Radio, satellite communication, radio direction finding (RDF), communicating using codes and the encoding/encryption of secret messages (please note, not all activities will be offered at all events).
technoJAM activities
During free technoJAM events, those attending will have an opportunity to experience some of the following (please check your event’s specific details to find out which activities will be offered):
- Raspberry Pi workshop – come and see what you can do with a new £30 computer; build a simple electronic circuit and control it using a low-cost computer.
- Arduino workshop – learn how to create circuits for these low cost controllers and write software to control them.
- Radio Direction Finding – locate a hidden prize using direction finding equipment.
- Morse Code – learn how to send and receive coded messages using light, sound and radio.
- Amateur satellite and FunCube workshop – receive signals from a real live satellite and discover details of active space experiments on-board.
- Hack my Minecraft workshop – take control of Minecraft and develop your hacking skills.
- Amateur Radio in action – talk to the world using Amateur Radio, there’ll be plenty of young people in countries around Europe to speak with.
- Encoding/Encryption – learn how to make your messages secure from prying eyes and the basics of how your data is kept safe over the Internet.
Events to-date
The first technoJAM was run in 2014 and it proved to be a great success were folk of all ages enjoyed a range of activities on a cold winter’s afternoon at St. Annes Primary School in Ormskirk.
Another ran in April 2015 at the Norbreck Amateur Radio and Electronics Exhibition during which three half-hour sessions were delivered introducing Amateur Radio operators to the possibilities of using the Raspberry Pi in the amateur radio shack. Such was the level of interest that those three short sessions turned into one long session that lasted four hours.
Later in May that year saw the first technoJAM at our current headquarters, Cottage Lane Mission in Ormskirk when over fifty folk enjoyed the biggest techoJAM to-date.
Since then there have been three more events at the Big Bang Fair in Aintree (July 2015) and the Telford Amateur Radio Rally (September 2015 and 2016).
I’m interested, where do I find out more?
For further details, visit the technoJAM web site.
If you’re interested in us hosting a technoJAM event for you, please contact us.