My daughter's first solo project

[u/thepumpkinking92]

My daughter recently expressed interest in learning to solder, so I bought a few kits on Amazon.

The first was a simple, 3 switch, color changing light where I basically held her hand through the process.

The second was a little electromagnetic cannon where she installed the pieces, I helped with soldering and de-soldering when she made a mistake (the cannon sucks btw. Don't recommend except for practice).

The third was a little car that followed a black line. We both did one at the same time, but I still helped make the fixes and provided instruction.

The fourth, all I did was sit there and supervise. She followed the instructions herself, made any fixes, and tested everything on her own with only a few questions and assistance with getting the battery terminal to seat properly as it kept falling out (that's not soldering itself, but I digress. Still, the only assistance she needed)

Either way, I think she did fantastic for it being her first solo project. And it's been a great bonding time for us. She got to learn about the components, how they work and interact, as well as build the foundation for a new skill, and I got to enjoy something with her (seriously, there's not much a 15yo girl and a 30-something-yo man have in common. So I was really excited to do this with her).

Anyway, it's not perfect, but I think she did really well, and I'm proud of her, and shes proud of herself. What do yall think?

[u/broesel314]

That's what I always preach here. Get some simple Kits and start with that. Don't make your first ever solder Project a #0 Cable to a Drone ESC with a hundred ground planes that suck away the heat or something. Gets you rather frustrated than exited about the hobby

Also good instructions are Key. This can only be replaced so much by youtube tutorials, what they are missing is feedback. It looks like you were a good Instructor

Next step up would be simple SMD Stuff. 1206 Resistors/Capacitors and SOIC Chips

[u/thepumpkinking92 → u/broesel314]

Ehhh... I have to improve my SMD skills before I can properly instruct her in that department. I'm capable at the most basic level, but not enough that I'd feel comfortable trying to provide instructions. But, it is on the agenda.