BSides KC 2024: Record-Breaking Soldering Village

What an incredible weekend at BSides Kansas City 2024! Our soldering village had its most successful year yet, with over 180 participants learning hands-on electronics skills alongside the cybersecurity conference programming.

By the Numbers

• 180+ participants across both days
• 32 volunteers providing instruction and support
• Zero safety incidents thanks to our rigorous protocols
• 15 new volunteers recruited for future events
• 95% completion rate for beginner projects
• Ages 8-72 - our most diverse age range yet!

What Made This Year Special

Expanded Workshop Options

This year we offered three different tracks to accommodate various skill levels:

Beginner Track: LED Badge Circuit Perfect for first-time solderers, participants built a simple LED badge with their name or favorite cybersecurity term. The project taught basic through-hole soldering while creating a fun takeaway.

Intermediate Track: 555 Timer Flasher For those with some experience, we offered our classic LED flasher circuit using the versatile 555 timer IC. This project introduced more complex circuits and troubleshooting skills.

Advanced Track: SMD Challenge New this year! Experienced participants tackled surface-mount components, learning techniques used in modern electronics manufacturing.

Community Partnerships

We were thrilled to partner with several local organizations:

• Kansas City Maker Space provided additional volunteers and expertise
• SparkFun Electronics donated components for our project kits
• Local IEEE Chapter helped with advanced instruction
• KC Women in Tech promoted the event to underrepresented groups

Volunteer Spotlight

Our volunteers were absolutely amazing this year. Special recognition goes to:

• Sarah Chen - Led the advanced SMD track with incredible patience and expertise
• Tom Bradley - Managed safety protocols flawlessly across both days
• Lisa Park - Coordinated with conference organizers and handled logistics
• Alex Thompson - Debuted new 3D-printed organizers that improved efficiency

Participant Feedback

The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive:

“I’ve been in cybersecurity for 10 years but never understood the hardware side. This workshop opened up a whole new world for me!” - Conference attendee

“My 12-year-old daughter and I did this together. She’s already asking when we can do more electronics projects at home.” - Parent participant

“The volunteers were so patient and encouraging. I was nervous about trying something new, but they made it feel safe to learn.” - First-time solderer

“I loved the progression from basic to advanced. The SMD track was challenging but achievable with the great instruction.” - Experienced maker

Behind the Scenes

Setup and Logistics

Our portable lab setup continues to evolve and improve:

• Friday evening setup took just 2 hours with our experienced crew
• New cart system made equipment transport much more efficient
• Improved ventilation with additional fans for better air circulation
• Enhanced safety stations with updated first aid and emergency procedures

Equipment Performance

Our investment in quality equipment paid off:

• All 20 Hakko FX-888 stations performed flawlessly throughout the weekend
• Custom 3D-printed organizers kept tools organized and accessible
• New LED magnifiers helped participants with detailed work
• Upgraded fume extraction improved air quality significantly

Volunteer Coordination

Managing 32 volunteers across two days required careful planning:

• Pre-event training session ensured everyone knew their roles
• Shift scheduling prevented volunteer fatigue
• Clear communication through dedicated Slack channels
• Real-time coordination with volunteer coordinators on-site

Lessons Learned

What Worked Well

Skill-Based Tracks: Offering different difficulty levels kept everyone engaged and challenged appropriately.

Safety Focus: Our comprehensive safety briefing and continuous monitoring resulted in zero incidents.

Community Partnerships: Collaborating with local organizations expanded our reach and resources.

Volunteer Training: Pre-event preparation made everything run smoothly.

Areas for Improvement

Registration System: We need better crowd management for peak times. Next year we’ll implement a reservation system for popular time slots.

Advanced Projects: The SMD track was so popular we ran out of kits. We’ll prepare more advanced options for future events.

Documentation: We want to create better take-home resources so participants can continue learning after the workshop.

Space Layout: The conference venue was great, but we learned how to optimize our setup for better traffic flow.

Impact Beyond the Event

New Volunteers

Fifteen participants expressed interest in volunteering with Fellowship of the Flux:

• 8 want to help with future workshop instruction
• 4 are interested in equipment management and setup
• 3 want to contribute to content creation and curriculum development

Follow-Up Engagement

We’re staying connected with participants through:

• Email newsletter with project ideas and learning resources
• Online community for sharing projects and getting help
• Local meetups for continued learning and networking
• Advanced workshops for those wanting to develop further

Organizational Partnerships

Several organizations expressed interest in hosting their own workshops:

• Two local libraries want to start maker programs
• A community college is exploring electronics curriculum
• Corporate team interested in team-building workshops
• Scout troop planning merit badge workshops

Looking Ahead

BSides KC 2025 Planning

We’re already thinking about next year:

• Expanded space to accommodate more participants
• Additional tracks including repair/troubleshooting workshops
• Guest speakers on electronics and cybersecurity intersections
• Student competitions with prizes and recognition

Other Upcoming Events

Our success at BSides KC has led to invitations for:

• MakerFaire KC 2024 (June) - Family-focused workshops
• DefCon Groups meetups throughout the region
• University partnerships for student organization events
• Corporate workshops for team building and skill development

Thank You

This event wouldn’t have been possible without:

Our Amazing Volunteers

Every single volunteer contributed to making this event special. Your patience, expertise, and enthusiasm created an incredible learning environment.

BSides KC Organizers

Thank you for welcoming our soldering village and providing excellent venue support. The collaboration made everything possible.

Our Sponsors and Partners

SparkFun Electronics, Kansas City Maker Space, and all our community partners helped make this our best event yet.

The Participants

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who joined us to learn. Your curiosity, questions, and enthusiasm remind us why we do this work.

Get Involved

Inspired by what you’ve read? Here’s how you can get involved:

For Individuals

• Attend a workshop - Check our events calendar for upcoming opportunities
• Volunteer with us - We’re always looking for passionate people to join our team
• Practice at home - Use our online tutorials to continue learning

For Organizations

• Request a workshop - Bring our portable lab to your event
• Partner with us - Collaborate on educational initiatives
• Sponsor our work - Support equipment and volunteer development

For the Community

• Spread the word - Tell others about learning opportunities
• Share your projects - Inspire others with your creations
• Support STEM education - Advocate for hands-on learning in your community

BSides KC 2024 was an incredible demonstration of what’s possible when passionate volunteers, supportive organizations, and curious learners come together. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead!

Marcus Rodriguez is Equipment Manager for Fellowship of the Flux and has been volunteering with the organization for three years. When not maintaining soldering stations, he works as a retired electronics technician and enjoys building vintage radio projects.