Event Report | Electronics Workshop: Building a Handheld Tetris Game

The Tetris Game Console Workshop, jointly organized by the Institute of Electronics and the Center for Advanced Optoelectronic Technology and Systems Integration at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, together with the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association (TWiST), concluded successfully on November 9. The workshop was carried out by the NYCU Maker Club with generous support from the National Science and Technology Council.

Combining electronic engineering with programming, the hands-on workshop brought together students enthusiastic about creating with technology. Guided by instructor Yi-Hsiang Liu and the teaching assistant team, participants took on an exciting challenge in an electronics laboratory on NYCU’s Guangfu Campus: building their own handheld Tetris game consoles.

Breaking Barriers: From Basic Soldering to Game Development

Designed around the idea of building something from the ground up, the workshop offered an intensive practical program that students could follow even without prior experience.

Hardware Construction

The morning session focused on hardware. Participants first learned how dot-matrix displays and microcontrollers work, then moved on to the essential process of soldering circuits. With soldering irons in hand, they carefully assembled resistors, buttons, and other components onto circuit boards, turning a virtual blueprint into a working physical device.

Programming Logic

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to programming. Through an introduction to Arduino, participants learned the game’s core logic and used concepts such as enum and struct to design block movement and game states, bringing the assembled consoles to life.

Participants concentrate on assembling their devices.

Enthusiastic Feedback: The Appeal of Learning by Doing

Participants responded enthusiastically after the event. Many said the workshop deepened their understanding of information technology and electrical engineering, while also showing them that building a game console was more approachable than they had imagined.

Participants especially appreciated the emphasis on extensive hands-on practice and practical skills. Completing a working project gave them a strong sense of achievement. Their high willingness to join similar activities again demonstrated the workshop’s success and value.

Participants listen attentively during the workshop.

Looking Ahead: Continuing to Explore the Possibilities of Making

Participants expressed strong interest in future learning opportunities and suggested interdisciplinary themes such as drones, 3D printing, autonomous line-following vehicles, biotechnology, and medicine.

The NYCU Maker Club will continue working closely with the organizers and supporting partners to build on this successful hands-on model. More maker activities will be planned to help students develop creativity, turn ideas into physical projects, and grow into the technology professionals of the future.