Gilbert teens can program a small dragster at HD SOUTH’s October 24 STEM Saturday

Image: AI-generated illustrative photograph of generic electronics components; not the workshop’s Arduino kit, dragster, wiring instructions or supplied equipment.

Making a vehicle move is one thing; writing instructions that control its movement adds another layer. HD SOUTH’s STEM Saturday on October 24, 2026, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon and introduces Arduino hardware and software through a small battery-powered dragster project.

The organizer’s announcement sets ages twelve through sixteen, requires registration and says at least five participants are needed for the program to proceed. The class is free. Participants are expected to assemble the vehicle, program its movement using a laptop and refine its performance on an obstacle course; the announcement says they may keep their completed dragster.

Use HD SOUTH’s current calendar to check availability and confirm arrangements before going. Ask about any preparation or equipment participants need to bring; a program description does not establish those details. The illustrative electronics image with this story should not be used as a wiring diagram or a picture of the actual kit.

A useful goal for a first coding activity is understanding one change at a time. When a vehicle behaves differently after an instruction changes, noticing and explaining that difference matters more than arriving with expert vocabulary. Leave space for trial, adjustment and questions, which are part of learning how a program connects with a physical object.

Sources and visit details

• HD SOUTH: October 2026 program announcement and STEM Saturday requirements
• HD SOUTH: current program calendar and registration