Welcome to the FAQ! This page attempts to point you to the right place when you have a question. It'll be constantly updated throughout the event as more questions get asked! As always, if anything is unclear, ask in #breadboard for help!
What is this all about?
Breadboard is a YSWS (You Ship, We Ship) program run by Hack Club, a global community of high school hackers.
Your goal is to build something real on a breadboard. This includes the design and build phase! Ship it, and we'll ship you a component kit to keep building with.
Where do I get started?
Check out our getting started doc, which walks you through what a valid project looks like, links to a sample project so you can see the general direction, and includes tutorials and component references to help you along the way. Our Hack Club Slack channel is where you can ask questions, share progress, and get feedback.
But I'm a beginner and don't know hardware
No problem! This YSWS is focused towards beginners. The getting started doc and tutorials are designed to help you build your first circuit even if you've never touched a breadboard before. The kit has everything you need!
What do I need to submit?
A valid Breadboard submission has two parts:
- A design submission: a complete, fully replicatable project plan. This includes the README, wiring diagram, and firmware.
After you receive your breadboard, you will have to submit:
- A build submission: photos, a demo video, and a build log showing your finished circuit actually working
See the full requirements for exactly what each stage needs.
When is the deadline?
July 18th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.Your design submission needs to be in by then. Don't wait until the last minute! Build submissions get an extension past this date, since you can't control when your kit arrives. Just build and submit promptly once it does.
Which kit should I pick?
Whichever fits your idea! The Arduino kit has more parts, but more isn't always better: the ESP32 is more compact and has WiFi and Bluetooth, which you need for anything IoT. Full component lists are below.
Can I use my own components or work off-platform?
Yes! An off-platform project counts as a build submission: you skip the design stage and build the real thing with your own parts, timelapsing and journaling everything as you go. No simulation needed, since you're testing it in real life, and building earns you golden bread. If you're designing off-platform in KiCad or another tool without building yet, that's still a design submission, and you need to fully simulate your circuit and code (with a tool like Wokwi), just like the editor does for you automatically. Heads up: if you build entirely with your own parts, we won't ship you a kit for that project.
Can I build my project before the kit arrives?
Yes! If you already have the parts, you can build off-platform and submit that. Track your time, journal, and timelapse as you go, and make sure you meet all the requirements.
Do I need a GitHub repo?
Yes, your submission lives in a repo with your README, schematic, firmware, and BOM (a list of your parts and quantities, right in the README). If you use the editor, it can publish your project to GitHub in one click, BOM included.
Is there a minimum time requirement?
Nope! Just meet the requirements. However, for time spent, you get bread to spend in the shop!
Can I submit multiple projects?
Yes! After your first ship, the shop unlocks and you can submit more projects and redeem additional kits and components. You pay for those with bread, which you earn as you work: design work pays 5 bread per hour approved, and actually building your project earns golden bread, which gets you shop items cheaper. The more you build, the more you can redeem. See the requirements for details.
When does the shop open?
The shop unlocks after your first ship. Keep an eye on #breadboard for what's in it.
What will I get?
You'll choose one of two component kits:
Kit B: ESP32 Starter Kit
Components
| Component | Qty |
|---|---|
| ESP32 Development Board | 1 |
| 0.96" OLED Display | 1 |
| DHT11 Temperature & Humidity Module | 1 |
| HC-SR501 PIR Motion Sensor | 1 |
| Obstacle Avoidance Module | 1 |
| Photosensitive Resistor Module | 1 |
| Resistors (220Ω / 1K / 10K) | 30 |
| Potentiometer 10K | 1 |
| Passive Buzzer | 1 |
| Active Buzzer | 1 |
| 5V 2-Channel Relay Module | 1 |
| Button Switch | 6 |
| Red LED | 5 |
| Yellow LED | 5 |
| Green LED | 5 |
| RGB LED | 2 |
| 830 Tie-Point Breadboard | 1 |
| F-M DuPont Cable | 10 |
| F-F DuPont Cable | 10 |
| M-M DuPont Cable | 10 |
| Micro-USB Cable | 1 |
Kit A: Arduino UNO Starter Kit
Components
| Component | Qty |
|---|---|
| UNO MEGA328P R3 | 1 |
| MB-102 Breadboard | 1 |
| LCD1602 (blue) | 1 |
| LCD1602 I2C Adapter | 1 |
| DHT11 Module | 1 |
| LM35DZ | 1 |
| Thermistor | 3 |
| RC522 RFID Module | 1 |
| Water Level Module | 1 |
| Infrared Transmitter | 1 |
| Infrared Receiver | 1 |
| Remote Control | 1 |
| Remote Control LED Module | 1 |
| Resistance 1/6W 220R | 8 |
| Resistance 1/6W 1K | 5 |
| Resistance 1/6W 10K | 6 |
| Potentiometer 5K | 1 |
| Passive Buzzer | 1 |
| 5V Buzzer | 1 |
| 74HC595N Shift Register | 1 |
| HDX Vibration Switch | 2 |
| Tact Switch 12x12 | 4 |
| 4x4 Button Module | 1 |
| Rocker (5-pin) | 1 |
| LED Yellow F5 | 5 |
| LED Red F5 | 5 |
| LED Blue F5 | 5 |
| Dot Matrix Module 8x8 | 1 |
| ULN2003 Module | 1 |
| SG90 Servo | 1 |
| Stepper Motor | 1 |
| Microphone Module | 1 |
| 5V 1-Way Relay Module | 1 |
| 1-Digit Digital Tube | 1 |
| 4-Digit Digital Tube | 1 |
| DS1302 RTC Module | 1 |
| Dupont Line 20cm M-F | 10 |
| 9V Battery Connector | 1 |
| USB Cable | 1 |
| Breadboard Wires | 1 |
Note: Although at first glance the Arduino kit has more, do research to see what you need! For instance, ESP32s are more compact, and have WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities.
Who runs this?
This is organized by Hack Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports a global community of 105,892 and counting high school makers.