EMF EXPLORER

Listen to the electromagnetic frequencies around you - together

This workshop explores what EMF frequencies are, where they come from, how we can listen to them, and how to build your own sensing device. Sessions end with a sound exploration walk where participants go discover what unique sounds they can find.

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Mass deployable

Designed to scale up to 50 students at a time - taught to hundreds of participants at events around the world.

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Travels well

Run at hackerspaces, museums, classrooms, makerspaces, and large festivals - anywhere with tables and outlets.

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Take-home kit

Every participant builds and keeps their own EMF Explorer Badge - a souvenir that keeps teaching after the workshop ends.

At a workshop right now?

Pull up the step-by-step build guide on your phone - assembly steps, safety tips, and how the circuit works.

Open the Build Guide

What happens in a session

  • Intro to EMF

    A short, accessible talk on what electromagnetic frequencies are, where they come from, and why everyday electronics "sound" the way they do.

  • Guided build

    Participants solder their own EMF Explorer Badge with step-by-step guidance - no prior experience needed.

  • Test & troubleshoot

    Power on, plug in headphones, and confirm your badge is picking up signals - with help on hand for anyone who needs it.

  • Sound exploration walk

    Head out and go listen to the world - phones, laptops, light switches, vending machines, and whatever else you can find.

Where it's been

EMF Explorer workshops have run at hackerspaces, maker faires, hacker camps, makerspaces, and residencies worldwide.

Mass soldering workshop under a tent, dozens of participants Two participants holding a glowing EMF Explorer badge Maker Faire EMF Explorer workshop - participants soldering at long tables Workshop instructor holding the EMF Explorer assembly guide at Maker Faire Kids building EMF Explorer badges at Maker Faire Participant holding a glowing completed EMF Explorer badge EMF Explorer workshop at dadaLab Participant soldering an EMF Explorer badge at a workshop table Participants building EMF Explorer badges at a workshop session EMF Explorer workshop at Toorcamp

Events & locations

Bay Area Maker Faire '24 Bay Area Maker Faire '25 Open Hardware Summit '24 Open Hardware Summit '26 ToorCamp '25 Teardown '25 CCC 2025 WHY2025 Bornhack dadaLab Dallas Makerspace Chaihuo Makerspace — Shenzhen '26 TroubleMakers Makerspace — Shenzhen '26 Arai-Eek Residency — Chiang Mai '26 ...and more

Also featured in Make: Volume 90. Darcy also teaches a range of other electronics and fabrication workshops — see the full catalog.

Workshop formats

Classroom / Small Group

Up to ~15 participants. Best for a relaxed pace with more individual soldering support. Ideal for ages 14+ with adult supervision.

Festival / Large Group

Up to 50 participants, mass-deployable soldering stations. Great for maker faires, conferences, and hackathons.

Talk + Demo Only

No soldering - a presentation and live demo of EMF Explorer in action, with a take-home zine or info sheet.

EMF Explorer listening event flyer - click to download

Bringing this to your own event?

Feel free to print and post this flyer to advertise an EMF Explorer listening session or workshop at your space.

Download Flyer

Interested in a workshop?

Tell us about your event — location, expected group size, and rough timing — and we'll follow up about availability.

Prefer email? Reach us directly at hello@sporklogic.com