There are lots of things you can build with an Arduino. The prerequisite, though, is being able to program the microcontroller sitting on the Arduino — that is, to put into words the computer understands what the microcontroller should do, and to store the result on the microcontroller.
Programming microcontrollers is, surprisingly, a task you can carry out perfectly well with an Arduino. Some enthusiasts have already looked into the problem and written Arduino programs for programming microcontrollers. Here are a few examples:
The Arduino IDE ships with libraries and sketches for using the Arduino as a microcontroller programmer (ISP). An example of an Arduino developer board is shown in the picture above.
At Starship Factory we have a variety of Arduinos and other microcontrollers. Some of our members already have experience working with microcontrollers, others are just working their way into the subject. If you want to learn more about it, or simply tinker with electronics or microcontrollers, just come to Starship Factory! There is plenty to discover.