--- title: SparkFun Education Blog | computer science (4) description: computer science | Maker Education Blog (4) --- [![Sparkfun](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/img/logo.png)](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/index.html) - [SparkFun Webstore](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com) - [Higher Ed](https://sparkfuneducation.com/higher-ed/index.html) - [Contact Us](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/contact-us.html) - [Follow Us](https://twitter.com/SparkFunEDU) - [Home](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com) - [Blog](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com) - [Curriculum](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/curriculum.html) - [PD/Events](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/professional-dev.html) - [KITS/Materials](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/materials.html) - [Educator Stories](https://www.sparkfuneducation.com/educator-stories.html) - [Activities](https://activities.sparkfuneducation.com) [Blog Home](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/) / SparkFun Education Blog [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/AIS.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/understanding-the-inner-workings-of-arduino-registers) ## [Understanding the Inner Workings of Arduino: Registers](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/understanding-the-inner-workings-of-arduino-registers) BY [Shawn Hymel](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shawn-hymel) 1/23/18 6:33 AM [6](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/understanding-the-inner-workings-of-arduino-registers#comments-listing) [Arduino](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino) [Adventures in Science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/adventures-in-science) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Arduino is an amazing teaching tool that has been used in classrooms all over the world to engage students with material, introduce them to programming and entice them to start tinkering with ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/understanding-the-inner-workings-of-arduino-registers) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/blog%20assets/AngelaSheehan/LilyPad%20Activity%20Guides/ProtoSnapConnectedtoLaptop.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/learning-programming-with-lilypad-arduino) ## [Learn to Program With the LilyPad ProtoSnap Plus Activity Guide](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/learning-programming-with-lilypad-arduino) BY [Angela Sheehan](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/angela-sheehan) 1/9/18 8:23 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/learning-programming-with-lilypad-arduino#comments-listing) [Arduino](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [e-textiles](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/e-textiles) [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [LilyPad](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/lilypad) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The LilyPad ProtoSnap series is a powerful learning tool for students to explore prototyping with wearable electronics. After building confidence in making simple e-textile circuits with the guided ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/learning-programming-with-lilypad-arduino) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/December%202017/28029922142_b308585c64_z.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science) ## [Top 5 Misconceptions About Computer Science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 12/21/17 6:20 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science#comments-listing) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It seems like everyone these days has an opinion about computer science. But how many of them are based on fact? Here are the Top 5 misconceptions we often hear about computer science.... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/top-5-misconceptions-about-computer-science) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/December%202017/Summit%20Middle%20School-23.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/3-ideas-to-go-beyond-computer-science-education-week) ## [3 Ideas to Go Beyond Computer Science Education Week](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/3-ideas-to-go-beyond-computer-science-education-week) BY [Jeff Branson](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jeff-branson) 12/14/17 6:30 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/3-ideas-to-go-beyond-computer-science-education-week#comments-listing) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [Javascript](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/javascript) [Processing](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/processing) [python](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/python) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Last week, educators across the country dug into Computer Science Education week. So this week, I thought I'd offer some thoughts on my go-to programming languages and ways to continue delving into ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/3-ideas-to-go-beyond-computer-science-education-week) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-11-29%20at%201.19.19%20PM.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hour-of-code-2017) ## [Hour of Code 2017](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hour-of-code-2017) BY [Maya Kleinbort](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort) 12/5/17 6:30 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hour-of-code-2017#comments-listing) [Events](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It's Computer Science Education Week, which means it's also time for the annual Hour of Code event! Read on to learn more and get involved!... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hour-of-code-2017) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/November%202017/IMG_0458.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/stitching-broader-participation-into-computer-science) ## [Stitching Broader Participation Into Computer Science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/stitching-broader-participation-into-computer-science) BY [Kylie Peppler](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/kylie-peppler) 11/16/17 6:30 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/stitching-broader-participation-into-computer-science#comments-listing) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [e-textiles](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/e-textiles) [Guest Post](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post) [STEAM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Each time I check my Twitter feed, it seems like there’s some reminder in there about why it’s challenging for women in tech fields. Several of these challenges stem from ingrained cultural dynamics ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/stitching-broader-participation-into-computer-science) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/20150108__09RHACREATORw-2_500.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages) ## [3 Reasons the SparkFun Inventor's Kit is a Great Introduction to Electronics](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages) BY [Maya Kleinbort](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort) 11/14/17 6:44 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages#comments-listing) [Arduino](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) [SIK](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/sik) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) (Photo credit: Reporter-Herald) At SparkFun we pride ourselves on having a little something for everyone, from the novice to the experienced engineer. With all of the electronics kits on the market, ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/three-reasons-the-sik-is-the-best-beginner-electronics-kit-for-all-ages) [![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4swt_jg9x5r9pfpFVL9hDY2mL8LpbK0jsLMUeQFDsjGU4elF5OGm19FdtXoNhlRgLyPssD4sCykpbH9BHOm6UEhC85tcAQV4-mUyE3wv7ETQBOADkKwTIyXmQDc2S67Zhrf0wrB6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/microbit-app-inventor) ## [Building a weather station with micro:bit and App Inventor](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/microbit-app-inventor) BY [Derek Runberg](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg) 10/26/17 8:32 AM [5](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/microbit-app-inventor#comments-listing) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) [programming](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) [weather](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/weather) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Recently, I did an hourlong webinar on the idea of combining the micro:bit with MIT App Inventor where we leveraged Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and a tool called BlockyTalkyBLE to build apps that ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/microbit-app-inventor) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/September%202017/marble%20sorter-827495-edited.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/try-these-4-user-submitted-inventorspace-project-ideas-next-time-you-need-inspiration) ## [4 User-Submitted InventorSpace Projects Designed to Inspire](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/try-these-4-user-submitted-inventorspace-project-ideas-next-time-you-need-inspiration) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 9/12/17 6:15 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/try-these-4-user-submitted-inventorspace-project-ideas-next-time-you-need-inspiration#comments-listing) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [Maker Education](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) [student projects](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects) [STEAM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In honor of our current promotion offering a 15% discount code to educators who submit an InventorSpace tutorial by the end of October, we’re taking a look at some of our favorite user-submitted ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/try-these-4-user-submitted-inventorspace-project-ideas-next-time-you-need-inspiration) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/August%202017/Summit%20Middle%20School-26.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/4-ways-educators-and-parents-can-support-young-women-in-stem) ## [4 Ways Educators (and Parents!) Can Support Young Women in STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/4-ways-educators-and-parents-can-support-young-women-in-stem) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 8/31/17 6:37 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/4-ways-educators-and-parents-can-support-young-women-in-stem#comments-listing) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Since the mid-1980s, the percentage of computer science degrees awarded to women has dropped from a high of 37 percent to a low of 18 percent. In order to ensure a diverse workforce, this trend must ... 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