You don't need a Raspberry Pi! (Getting started with Microcontrollers)

Thanks to Micro Center for sponsoring this video!

Micro Center Santa Clara: https://micro.center/9d2732
Shop Micro Center’s Selection of Boards and Projects: https://micro.center/2c0426
Shop Micro Center’s Selection of Maker/ STEM Products: https://micro.center/cf245a
Shop Micro Center’s Laptop Savings Event: https://micro.center/79e60d

Thanks especially to everyone I met in Santa Clara for helping make this video happen! For all the code used in the demos, check out this GitHub Gist:

https://gist.github.com/geerlingguy/4d519887aeb462ba9501961a32ae3f71

Resources mentioned in this video:

- Steve Wozniak on the relay: https://youtu.be/hsB8Hxnb52o?t=367
- Open Circuits: https://amzn.to/446b9pb
- PicoBricks Base Kit: https://amzn.to/4jUv7sI (also check Micro Center for availability)
- PicoBricks IDE: https://picobricks.com/pages/ide?ose=false
- MicroBlocks IDE: https://microblocks.fun
- Cskirt's video exploding capacitors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx5HOQuP7Xk
- ElectroBOOM's video about capacitors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbCXKhhzBN0
- Slo Mo Guys video on capacitors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WUxgmMDts4

Other YouTube channels I follow for microcontrollers and electronics:

- ElectroBOOM: https://www.youtube.com/@ElectroBOOM
- GreatScott!: https://www.youtube.com/@greatscottlab
- Andreas Spiess: https://www.youtube.com/@AndreasSpiess
- Ben Eater: https://www.youtube.com/@BenEater
- Device Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/@DeviceOrchestra
- Sean Hodgins: https://www.youtube.com/@SeanHodgins
- EEVBlog: https://www.youtube.com/@EEVblog
- Big Clive: https://www.youtube.com/@bigclivedotcom

There are plenty of other great channels too, please share your favorites in the comments!

Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geerlingguy
Sponsor me on GitHub: https://github.com/sponsors/geerlingguy
Merch: https://www.redshirtjeff.com
2nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GeerlingEngineering
3rd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Level2Jeff

Contents:

00:00 - Tiny explosions, ft electricity
01:06 - Learning the basics in Silicon Valley
02:22 - New MC in the Valley
03:30 - Getting started with PicoBricks
05:43 - Hello, world on a microcontroller
10:33 - Debugging a custom dusk-to-dawn light
16:00 - Exploding things at Micro Center
16:36 - Exploding things back home
18:31 - High power, hydrogen, and electrolytic caps
19:46 - Going bigger