--- title: SparkFun Education Blog | helpful information description: helpful information | Maker Education Blog --- [![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/What%20is%20a%20Transistor.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-a-transistor) ## [What is a Transistor?](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-a-transistor) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 7/14/20 6:57 AM [2](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-a-transistor#comments-listing) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [What is a](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/what-is-a) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Honored with a spot on IEEE’s Milestone’s list, transistors changed the world of electronics, making smaller and cheaper electronics possible. Even though they control just about every modern ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-a-transistor) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/adams1.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/remote-learning-with-the-microbit-a-programming-deep-dive) ## [Remote Learning with the micro:bit: A Programming Deep Dive](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/remote-learning-with-the-microbit-a-programming-deep-dive) BY [Derek Runberg](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg) 5/28/20 9:17 AM [2](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/remote-learning-with-the-microbit-a-programming-deep-dive#comments-listing) [announcement](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/announcement) [micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) [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) [STEM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) [Training](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/training) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) In our first webinar around remote learning with the micro:bit, we introduced you to the micro:bit and different formats, platforms and content to use while teaching remotely with the micro:bit.... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/remote-learning-with-the-microbit-a-programming-deep-dive) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/Social/Silver%20Hills%20Middle%20School-28.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/teaching-programming-and-computer-science-in-the-age-of-remote-instruction) ## [Teaching Programming and Computer Science Through Remote Instruction](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/teaching-programming-and-computer-science-in-the-age-of-remote-instruction) BY [Derek Runberg](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg) 5/13/20 10:18 AM [2](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/teaching-programming-and-computer-science-in-the-age-of-remote-instruction#comments-listing) [Professional Development](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/professional-development) [Events](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [announcement](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/announcement) [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) [micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [computer science](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) [Training](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/training) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The Covid-19 pandemic has left educators reeling and has thrown us into a new paradigm with our students. We have never been challenged to deliver quality education to each and every student as we ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/teaching-programming-and-computer-science-in-the-age-of-remote-instruction) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/Idea%20-%20Basic%20Measures%20of%20Electricity.jpeg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-the-basic-measure-of-electricity) ## [What is The Basic Measure of Electricity?](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-the-basic-measure-of-electricity) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 5/5/20 6:25 AM [1](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-the-basic-measure-of-electricity#comments-listing) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [What is a](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/what-is-a) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Everything worth measuring has a unit of measurement associated with it. In the US, we use inches and feet to measure how tall something is, pounds and ounces to measure how much something weighs and ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-is-the-basic-measure-of-electricity) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/Newsletter/August/sik-4_1-270_2.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/home-learning-resources) ## [Home Learning Resources](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/home-learning-resources) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 4/7/20 6:17 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/home-learning-resources#comments-listing) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Have you suddenly found yourself facing the reality that school's won't be opening back up this school year? Are you concerned that your student's are missing out on valuable learning opportunities? ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/home-learning-resources) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/adams3.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/inspiring-women-of-computer-science-part-2) ## [Inspiring Women of Computer Science, Part 2](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/inspiring-women-of-computer-science-part-2) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 1/14/20 6:23 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/inspiring-women-of-computer-science-part-2#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) A while back, we did a post on some of the most influential women of computer science. Since a list like that is never truly complete, we wanted to take some time to reflect on a few more women who ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/inspiring-women-of-computer-science-part-2) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/draft%20-%20survey%20results-5.png)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/the-results-are-in-2019-educator-survey) ## [The Results are In: 2019 Educator Survey](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/the-results-are-in-2019-educator-survey) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 10/29/19 6:21 AM [2](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/the-results-are-in-2019-educator-survey#comments-listing) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Thank you to everyone who took time to complete our Educator Survey. The feedback you provided will help guide us in the coming months. Now, without further ado, here are some of the highlights of ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/the-results-are-in-2019-educator-survey) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/Peter%20Hanson%20-%20Guest%20Post-1.jpeg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/solving-breadboarding-woes-with-a-microbit-dashboard) ## [Solving Breadboarding Woes with a micro:bit Dashboard](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/solving-breadboarding-woes-with-a-microbit-dashboard) BY [Peter Hanson](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/peter-hanson) 9/24/19 6:41 AM [2](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/solving-breadboarding-woes-with-a-microbit-dashboard#comments-listing) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [Guest Post](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post) [micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) My name is Peter Hanson, and I teach an elective class at Aspen Middle School for seventh graders called Think, Make and Improve (TMI). It’s a class I created two years ago to expose students to ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/solving-breadboarding-woes-with-a-microbit-dashboard) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/BLOG%20Images/Sept%2019/thermistor1.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-are-diodes-thermistors-and-shields) ## [What are Diodes, Thermistors and Shields](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-are-diodes-thermistors-and-shields) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 9/3/19 6:12 AM [1](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-are-diodes-thermistors-and-shields#comments-listing) [getting started](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [What is a](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/what-is-a) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) A large part of why I undertook this “What is a…” series around electronic components is because I wanted to better understand these components myself. Up until this point, the pieces that have been ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/what-are-diodes-thermistors-and-shields) [![](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/hubfs/EDU/Activities/2019/Safe%20Box%20Lesson/image5.jpg)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/standards-aligned-activity-portal) ## [Standards-Aligned Activity Portal](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/standards-aligned-activity-portal) BY [Megan Hemmings](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) 8/27/19 6:19 AM [0](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/standards-aligned-activity-portal#comments-listing) [teaching tools](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) [student projects](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects) [robotics](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/robotics) [micro:bit](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) [helpful information](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) [STEAM](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam) [SIK](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/sik) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) One of the top requests we receive is from educators looking for standards-aligned activities to go along with the hardware they purchase. While some products, like the SparkFun Inventor’s Kit, ... [Continue reading](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/standards-aligned-activity-portal) [All posts](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/all) [Next](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information/page/2) ### Subscribe to SparkFun Education Blog ### Topics - [helpful information (79)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/helpful-information) - [Maker Education (60)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/maker-education) - [teaching tools (55)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/teaching-tools) - [getting started (54)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/getting-started) - [Guest Post (44)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/guest-post) - [computer science (40)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/computer-science) - [micro:bit (38)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microbit) - [student projects (37)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/student-projects) - [STEM (36)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/stem) - [programming (34)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/programming) - [STEAM (31)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/steam) - [Events (28)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/events) - [Arduino (25)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/arduino) - [robotics (20)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/robotics) - [e-textiles (18)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/e-textiles) - [Professional Development (17)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/professional-development) - [basic circuits (17)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/basic-circuits) - [What is a (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/what-is-a) - [announcement (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/announcement) - [makerspace (15)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/makerspace) - [Community Partnership Program (14)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/community-partnership-program) - [Training (13)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/training) - [raspberry pi (13)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/raspberry-pi) - [python (11)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/python) - [AVC (10)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/avc) - [paper circuits (10)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/paper-circuits) - [Makey Makey (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/makey-makey) - [SIK (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/sik) - [Adventures in Science (7)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/adventures-in-science) - [microcontroller (7)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/microcontroller) - [Internet of Things (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/internet-of-things) - [Processing (4)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/processing) - [Javascript (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/javascript) - [LilyPad (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/lilypad) - [funding (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/funding) - [weather (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/weather) - [Insider (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/insider) - [Johnny-five (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/topic/johnny-five) All Tags ### Recent Authors - [Megan Hemmings (79)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-hemmings) - [Maya Kleinbort (22)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/maya-kleinbort) - [Derek Runberg (21)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/derek-runberg) - [Shane Diller (16)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shane-diller) - [Jeff Branson (15)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jeff-branson) - [Angela Sheehan (12)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/angela-sheehan) - [Melissa Felderman (9)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/melissa-felderman) - [Megan Arnold (8)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/megan-arnold) - [Brian Huang (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/brian-huang) - [Shawn Hymel (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shawn-hymel) - [Shelby Landsman (6)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/shelby-landsman) - [Jahnell Pereira (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/jahnell-pereira) - [Hailey Blessing (5)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/hailey-blessing) - [Mike Grusin (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/mike-grusin) - [Peter Hanson (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/peter-hanson) - [Andrew Milne (3)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/andrew-milne) - [Toni Klopfenstein (2)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/toni-klopfenstein) - [Joanna Drusin (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/joanna-drusin) - [Joe Romano (1)](https://blog.sparkfuneducation.com/author/joe-romano) - [Mrinali P. 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