Programming
Write an app for Windows
In this workshop we will write your own app from scratch. We will start with basic concepts, create a graphical user interface, add logic and functionality, and explore various Windows APIs.
Multiplayer Game
Develop your own multiplayer game in JavaScript. We will learn about 2D and 3D canvas, animation, networking, AJAX and web sockets.
Write a Videogame
Develop a videogame for a PC, phone or the web. We start with a blank page and write all code by hand.
Dynamic Systems
Write a program to solve and simulate a dynamic system of your choice (environment, business, economics, relationships, and so on).
Interactive Website
Design and program an interactive website (forum, shop, blog, knowledgebase, and so on).
Accounting system
We will design and program a database-based accounting and inventory system that can be used for personal bookkeeping, and it can be extended to a business accounting and management application.
Electric Circuits
USB Device
Design and build your own USB device.
Write a device driver
Develop a driver (Windows, BSD, Linux, VMware) for your device.
Health and Fitness
Healthy meal plan
During this workshop we calculate your particular requirements for energy and nutrition, and create a custom plan for every meal of the day for a week, or for several months.
Exercise program
Based on your personal goals, whether that is strength, fitness, health, sports, prevention of injuries, we will develop a custom exercise program for several weeks.
Mental health
We develop the understanding of the basics of mental health, and arrive at practical ways of how to use healthy diet, exercise, good sleep and "right" thinking to reduce stress and achieve good mental health.
Electricity
Electric circuits
In this workshop we establish the basic understanding of electricity and electric circuits, build simple circuits from scratch, calculate and measure voltage, current, resistance, power, electromagnetic interference, power factor, and other essential parameters.
AC and DC currents
We learn to understand the laws of physics applied to electricity, discuss rectifiers, motors and power generators, single and multiple phase, build simple circuits and calculate efficiency, power dissipation, current density and other parameters.
Power circuits
In this workshop we learn about different types of power supplies, power transmission, inductive and capacitive loads, power converters, voltage and current regulators, build a microprocessor-based digital power meter.
Small signal circuits
In this workshop we will learn about signals that are small enough to be affected by noise. We will design and build a low noise audio signal amplifier from scratch. We will discuss the theory of solid state physics, thermal noise, analog and digital filters, shielded wires, and differential transmission lines.
Radio frequency
We will learn about electromagnetic radiation, wave propagation, antennas, and we will design and build a radio receiver from scratch.
Digital circuits
In this workshop we will build and analyze TTL and CMOS based digital circuits, registers, counters, logic elements, and microcontrollers. We learn about quartz crystals and resonators, and build an accurate digital clock from scratch.
Home
Design and build custom lighting
Review theory, list desired functions, compile bill of materials, optionally create a phone app to control lighting, create a prototype, wiring and installation.
Design a custom security system
Draw a plan of the house and yard, write code to analyze and find vulnerabilities, describe desired functions and features, determine locations of sensors and cameras, optionally design a recorder and backup, order parts and materials, build and install.
Detect and stop heat leakage
Make your home more energy efficient by eliminating flaws in thermal insulation. Use heat sensors, infrared cameras and other instruments to survey and measure heat insulation. Calculate heating and cooling energy efficiency. Optionally write code to analyze and find the best thermal regime. Fix broken or missing insulation.
Design and build custom doorbell
Brainstorm desired functions, design sensors, choose camera locations, optionally write a phone app for remote access, design the system, wire and install.
Design and build a system to water your garden
Draw a plan of the yard, summarize moisture and soil conditions for each plant, write code to find the optimal topology of pipes and hoses, write the controller app, design the system, purchase parts, and install.
Control the ecosystem in your pool
Design and build sensors and controllers to maintain required water conditions in your pool. Write code to control cleaning robots, water level, temperature, pH, and other parameters. Send alerts, automatically order refills, detect hazards.
Custom pet monitoring system
Design and build a system to track locations of your pets, send notifications, control electric fences, open and close pet doors, operate automatic food dispensers, refill water, and perform other necessary custom functions. Step by step hands-on workshop for kids or adults.
Monitor your mailbox
Design and build a custom system to monitor, lock, unlock your mailbox, record on video any activity near your mailbox, notify when mail was deposited, query whether the mail box is empty or not, record last time access time, and implement other custom features.
Music
Master the guitar
Whether you are a beginner or seasoned musician there are always ways to improve your playing technique, style and creativity. We will learn how to practice efficiently and how to apply music theory.
Playing piano
Classical piano, pop music, jazz and improvisation techniques for all levels. We will learn how to play efficiently, how to read music, and develop exercises to grow faster.
Clarinet in jazz
This workshop will get beginners started with the clarinet. Those who already have experience will learn new tips and tricks, different styles of playing clarinet, specifics of playing in a big band, in small ensembles, and during solo performances.
Saxophone playing skills
This workshop is mostly for alto, tenor, and soprano saxophone players. Beginners will learn the basics, and advanced players will learn additional techniques, apply music theory, improve site reading.
Fretless and fretted bass
If you are a beginner, we will learn how to play an electric bass, or a standup bass in jazz, and in rock. If you are an advanced player, we will create custom practice exercises to improve your skills and playing techniques, apply music theory, improvise during bass solos, and site read music.
Drums and percussion
Whether you want to play a single percussion instrument, or a full-featured drum kit, in this workshop we will develop practice exercises to improve your playing skills efficiently. You will learn a variety of rhythms in different genres, learn different styles of holding drumsticks, learn techniques of playing hat, double pedals, snare effects, rolls, drum solos and much more.
Music recording
In this workshop we will learn how to record music during a live performance, in a studio, or in other settings like nature, record vocals, instruments, an orchestra or a choir. We will learn about microphones, amplifiers, mixers and other sound processing equipment, including computer software.
Music composition
In this workshop we will compose new music from scratch. We will use real or virtual instruments, sound synthesizers, sound effects and creativity to create and record a soundtrack for a video clip, or as an original song or instrumental. We will learn about music theory, harmony, and psychological effects of music.
Mastering and production
This workshop is for those who want to bring their musical creations to the professional level. We will learn about postproduction, enhancement and mastering of an already recorded soundtrack. We will use spectrum analyzers, sound processors, equalizers and compressors, learn about theory of signal processing, and about techniques that can be applied to different types of recorded material, such as speech, bird singing, medical exam, a track for a movie, or a rock band performance.
Emergency
First responder skills
Scene assessment, safety, understanding life-threatening situations.
EMT skills
Patient assessment, airway management, cardiac, trauma, and other types of emergencies. Using equipment such as backboards, suction, splints, oxygen masks.
Paramedic skills
Essential pathophysiology, advanced life support, drug administration, using equipment such as cardiac monitors and laryngoscopes. Team management, documentation and reports.
Woodworking
Building furniture
Step by step process of designing and manufacturing simple furniture, such as a table, or a chair, from scratch. We will learn how to choose wood, design joints, cut and shape, treat the surface, and apply finish.
Custom shelving
In this workshop we will design and build custom shelves for your home, which can be built into the wall, accommodating the shape and location of the installation site, acting as a divider, or performing any other custom function.
Doors and Windows
In this workshop we will design and build a custom door or a window from scratch with your choice of material, glass, finish, shape and function.
