This newsletter was released on June 4, 2009.

Hi! This is the second edition of the NerdKits newsletter, where we keep you 
updated about all the goings-on at NerdKits.

In this issue:
1. NerdKits team teaches at Friends' Central School
2. YouTube review by dylanjkj1997
3. Special thanks to outstanding forum contributor

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NERDKITS TEAM TEACHES AT PA HIGH SCHOOL

On May 26-27th, the NerdKits team took a road trip down to Philadelphia, PA 
to teach at Friends' Central School using NerdKits. We took the NerdKits into 
four Junior/Senior level high school physics sections, and over the two days 
went over (and built) a simplified version of the Piezoelectric Sound Meter 
(http://www.nerdkits.com/videos/sound_meter/). We were very happy to see the 
students enjoy working with the NerdKits, despite the limited time we had to 
work with them. We used the first day to talk about the single transistor 
amplifier, and the students were able to build and test their own. On the 
second day, we did a quick overview of the code, and the students programmed 
a microcontroller to interface with their analog amplifier and light up 0-4 
LEDs based on the sound level in the room.

Click this link to see photos from the trip:
http://www.nerdkits.com/media/newsletter_data/2/

Although we presented many new concepts in a short period of time, the 
students were able to see first-hand how to transform the analysis-oriented 
skills they had learned over their physics studies into synthesis-oriented 
engineering skills.  We hope it benefited the students to work with real 
microcontrollers and get some experience working with this technology.

This trip was part of our initiative to get NerdKits more exposure in 
schools, where we feel we can inspire budding young minds that are waiting 
for something to explore, as well as supplement high school curriculums that 
may lack a good hands-on aspect to help solidify the concepts.  If you know a 
Physics or Computer Science teacher that might be interested in integrating 
NerdKits into their classroom, tell them about our website, and have them 
contact us at support@nerdkits.com!

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YOUTUBE REVIEW
NerdKits Gets 9/10

User dylanjkj1997 posted a great YouTube review of the USB NerdKit. His 
review goes over all the major components of the kit and addresses the 
benefits of learning about microcontrollers with a NerdKit. From a personal 
stand point, we were very happy to watch this review as it validates the 
effort that we have put into making NerdKits a truly useful educational 
experience. Thanks, Dylan, for the fantastic review, and we are very glad you 
are enjoying your NerdKit.

Here are the links to Dylan's review (3 parts):
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBvU7nGc0yU
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywd1MCo1J5I
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_T6tU3vsTc

Dylan also made some modifications that he found to be useful, like adding a 
power switch, a solid base for the entire unit, and rechargeable AA 
batteries, so even if you already have a kit, this might give you some good 
ideas.

If you decide to post your own review on your blog / YouTube channel / etc., 
please let us know!

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SPECIAL THANKS - FORUM CONTRIBUTIONS

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has helped make 
our forums such a great success. It is great to see NerdKits community 
members helping each other and sharing ideas.

This month, we would like to recognize one member who has gone above and 
beyond to help other users on our forum. We would like to recognize user 
Wayward as an outstanding contributor to the forums and thank him for helping 
make the NerdKits community what it is. We will be sending Wayward an extra 
"Build Your Own Project Pack" for his USB NerdKit, which includes a 
breadboard, MCU, and crystal as a token of our appreciation.

Again, thanks to all community participants, and we hope to recognize others 
in the future.

======================
THANKS!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for being such great 
customers. We recently added South Korea, Singapore, and Malta to our list of 
countries with NerdKits customers -- 33 in all!  Make sure you tell your 
friends and neighbors about NerdKits so we can keep America's DIY spirit 
alive!

Best wishes,

Humberto & Mike
NerdKits, L.L.C.
http://www.nerdkits.com/

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