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/4...

Resources mentioned in this video:

Steve Wozniak on the relay:    • Walking through computer history with Appl...  
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=...
MicroBlocks IDE: https://microblocks.fun
Cskirt's video exploding capacitors:    • Blowing up BIG capacitors!  
ElectroBOOM's video about capacitors:    • How CAPACITORS Work (ElectroBOOM101-006)  
Slo Mo Guys video on capacitors:    • Blowing up Capacitors at 187,000FPS  

Other YouTube channels I follow for microcontrollers and electronics:

ElectroBOOM:    / @electroboom  
GreatScott!:    / @greatscottlab  
Andreas Spiess:    / @andreasspiess  
Ben Eater:    / @beneater  
Device Orchestra:    / @deviceorchestra  
Sean Hodgins:    / @seanhodgins  
EEVBlog:    / @eevblog  
Big Clive:    / @bigclivedotcom  

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

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