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What is a Raspberry Jam?

A Raspberry Jam is a community hackathon, a place where anyone of any age and background can learn about coding and physical computing in a fun and hands-on way.

Do I need to pay to enter?

No – the Jam is free of charge.

What do I do at the Jam?

This depends completely on your level of experience. When you enter, ask one of the co-ordinators for assistance, and tell them how much experience you have with coding and physical computing. They will suggest an activity for you to try out.

Are there guided workshops/lectures/lessons?

Sometimes, but for the most part the Jam is structured in a guided self-learning format: this means you decide what and how you are going to try something, and we will be there to assist. However do not expect one to one handholding if the Jam is very busy, as we only have so many people to help out. Please be patient with us.

Do I need to pay for any equipment I use?

No—we provide everything you need. But please treat all equipment with respect, and return everything when you are done, 

Do you do robotics? Electronics? Lights? Sounds? Motors?

Yes

I know absolutely nothing but am willing to learn —can I still attend?

Absolutely—welcome! You are exactly the audience we are looking for.

I am an expert: I live and breathe code, and robots are my underlings. Can I attend?

Absolutely—welcome! You are exactly the audience we are looking for.

IMPORTANT RULES:

• At no time, ever, are children to be left unsupervised by parents. Not even ‘for a second’, or ‘to park the car’. We will immediately notify the police if any children are found to be unsupervised. The Jam is not a babysitting service, but a family and community event, run by volunteers for the benefit of all. Please respect that and do not burden the organizers with unnecessary worries.
• GDPR: we will be taking videos and photos of the event throughout the day. By entering you are giving your consent to be featured in these photos and videos for the purposes of marketing and media coverage of the event and future events. This includes posting of pictures and videos on social media. If you do not consent to this, then please contact the organizers immediately.
• Wilful Breakages or destruction of property will have to be paid for. We emphasize the word wilful: do not be afraid to insert an LED into a breadboard because you might have to bend a pin—that is not a breakage, that is normal ! We provide everything you need to enjoy and learn from the Jam, but in the interest of preserving equipment for future events we need to make sure that the equipment is treated with respect by everyone. If in any doubt, ask.
• At all times, follow instructions from the organizers. Failure to do so may get you ejected from the event.