After School Club at Casey Tech School - TINKER. CODE. KEEP IT

Build a real Internet-connected gadget. Learn embedded programming. Walk away with the hardware. 

Do you love tinkering with electronics and wouldn't mind getting your hands dirty writing Python code? This Term 3 after-school club gives you the chance to level up your electronics and coding skills — and the best part? If you complete the club, you keep the hardware. 

What Is This Club? 

This is a hands-on, project-based after-school club for secondary students who love a challenge. Over 5 to 8 Thursday sessions, you will explore the world of embedded systems — programming a tiny but mighty microcontroller, hooking it up to an e-ink display, connecting it to the Internet, and designing and printing your own custom enclosure in 3D. 

No prior experience in electronics is required. If you already know a bit of Python, you're ahead of the game — but if not, don't worry. We'll get you there. 

Skills & Technologies 

By the end of the club, you will have hands-on experience with: 

• Raspberry Pi Pico 2W — exploring a real microcontroller and its capabilities 

• MicroPython — writing Python programs that talk directly to hardware 

• E-ink displays — understanding how low-power displays work and how to drive them 

• Internet connectivity — accessing web APIs and online data with your device 

• 3D design & printing — designing and printing your own enclosure for the finished product 

When & How Often? 

Is This Club Right for Me? 

This club is perfect for you if: 

• You're a secondary student who enjoys technology, electronics, or coding 

• You love hands-on building and problem-solving 

• You want to go beyond the classroom and work on a real project 

• You're curious about how hardware and software work together 

• You want to level up your Python skills in a practical setting 

You don't need any previous experience with electronics or microcontrollers — just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Some Python knowledge is helpful but absolutely not required. We start from the basics. 

Complete the Club. Keep the Kit. 

Here's the deal: if you show up and complete the club (attending at least 80% of sessions), all the hardware you worked with is yours to keep. No strings attached. 

Your take-home kit includes: 

1. Raspberry Pi Pico 2W (microcontroller) 

1. E-ink display 

1. Power supply module 

1. Your custom 3D printed enclosure 

Attendance requirement: Attend at least 80% of scheduled sessions to be eligible to keep your hardware kit. 

FAQ 

Do I need to know how to code? 

No prior coding experience is required. If you already know some Python, great — but if not, we will guide you through everything from the ground up. 

Do I need to know electronics? 

Not at all. We cover all the electronics fundamentals you need as part of the club sessions. 

How many students can join? 

Spots are strictly limited to 10 students to keep the sessions hands-on and personal. Sign up early to secure your place. 

What if I miss a session? 

Life happens! You need to attend at least 80% of sessions (approximately 4 out of 5 minimum sessions) to qualify to keep the hardware. We will do our best to support you if you miss one. 

What exactly will I build? 

You will build an Internet-connected device using a Raspberry Pi Pico 2W and an e-ink display, housed in a 3D printed enclosure you design yourself. Think of it as your own mini smart display gadget.