The objective is to teach basic concepts of electronics to kids, learning physical computing in a fun informal way.
- Understand basic electronic components (e.g. a resistor, capacitor, diode, ..)
- Distinguish between active and passive components and components polarity
- Understand how to read a basic electronic circuit diagram
- Creating basic circuits virtually using software tools
- Build circuits in teams using a breadboard, jumper cables and a variety of components
- Understanding voltage / current / resistance and their unit of measurement
Those who attend are constantly reminded the dangers of experimenting with electronics themselves without a full understanding of the possible consequences!
- Learn about microcontrollers (Arduino)
- Learn to program an Arduino
- Use “sketch” to create programs
- Perform various hands on experiments using an Arduino
- Create various projects using Arduino (following Dojo projects)
- Conduct various mini projects throughout the year (2-3 weeks)
- Introduce the Raspberry Pi
- Adventure through the world of physical computing with a Pi!
- Attendees can work towards coming up with own project ideas and/or collaborate and build a project as a team. Their project could then be entered into the annual Coder Dojo Coolest projects competition!
Pre-requisites
- It is recommended that the course be undertaken by children 12 years and older
- It is assumed kids will have previously attended Scratch/Web CoderDojo sessions
- Children who attend should have a willingness to learn and have fun :-)
Labs
Various hands on labs will be conducted throughout the year including:
- Use “Hot wires” snap circuits to build circuits
- Take apart a computer - understand various internal parts
- Bringing in old toys with motors
- Create circuits
- Tinkercad to create online circuits
- Learn about Microcontrollers using arduino labs (Dojo sushis)
- Blinking LED
- Traffic Lights
- Temperature Sensors
- Ultrasonic Range Sensor
- LCDs
- Motors
- Raspberry Pi introduction
- Basic introduction to Raspbian
- Physical computing with Scratch (https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/physical-computing-with-scratch
- Finding your way around a Raspberry Pi and using a shell
- Basic linux commands
- Using Pi to perform physical computing
Group Projects
- Kids can enter Coolest Project
- Kids break up into groups come up with ideas for projects themselves. Alternatively perhaps mentors can assist / suggest project ideas.
- Some assistance from parents or the club may be required if the team want to use equipment which we don’t currently have in stock
- If the kids want to build something themselves, they can bring their ideas. Mentors will assist.
References / Resources
House rules
- Kids need to register their intention to join the group each week
- No food or drink permitted in the electronics lab
- Please be careful with the equipment you use - it the property of AIT or a volunteer
- Leave the venue in the same condition you found it in
- Tidy up and shutdown workstations when the session is over
- Be cool to your peers!
- Get to know the people in your group and HAVE FUN !
What to bring
- Kids are welcome to bring along their own electronics kits, if they have them.
- Breadboard, Resistors, LEDs
- Arduino , Raspberry Pi
- Mentors will offer recommendations on kits to purchase if parents wish to consider this.
- The group mentors have a limited supply of electronic equipment which the group can use / share
- For those kids who bring their own kits, they take responsibility for looking after their own equipment.
Other things to note
- If a quota of volunteers are not available in any particular week the course may not run or will run in a limited capacity
- At least two mentors must be available for a weekly session proceed. A single mentor cannot take a whole class in a classroom by themselves for safety reasons.
- All mentors are garda vetted.